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Counter
Nov 1, 2001
   
Grave Surround

SYMBOL
 
SIGNIFICANCE
 
AltarSymbol of sacrifice, worship, thanksgiving and remembrance
AnchorMarine symbol signifying hope and an object to cling to for safety. Usually has an elaborate rope or chain. Sometimes combined with a cross or an angel
AnimalsLambs depict the innocence of children or the sacrificial lamb of God. Serpents are trampled in triumph over sin and death, or eat their tails in the old Celtic symbol of eternity. Doves are for the Holy Spirit, love, peace, or renewed life
ArchCeremonial, triumphant significance. Triumph over death. Arch of sky and heaven
AngelSignify divine communication and spiritual aspirations. Usually have right hand and right finger raised to heaven. Other hand often holds a scroll, the anchor of faith, trumpet of resurrection or palm fronds of peace. Sometimes shown clinging to a cross
AxeSignifies martial themes
BookSymbol of the book of life and often can be surmounted by a crown and quill or held in the right hand of God or an angel. Can also depict learning, scholarship, prayer or trade of a writer or bookseller. Books and scrolls also represent the Evangelists
Broken ChainsUsually situated around the top of a headstone to symbolise the links of love with a family broken in death
CenotaphSymbolic monument of mourning
CircleThe perfect shape - endless - signifying eternity
Circle (broken)Indicates that life has ended. The same applies to a flower with a broken stem
CloudAssociated with a hand from heaven. Sometimes with a broken chain
ColumnFree standing column symbolizes the sky, God and deity in general
Column (broken)Not always an indication of vandalism but quite often deliberate symbols of a life left unfinished when cut off by death. Often decorated with laurel wreaths. Other forms are a tree without branches, a tree stump, and a tree trunk with an embedded axe
Compass / DividersMasonic symbol together with set-square. Also indicative of architects and surveyors. In ecclesiastic art indicates divine measuring and dividing of the world
CrossSymbol of Christ's redemption of humanity from sin. Faith and belief in God
CrownSymbol of sovereignty, honour, glory, victory (eg. over death) and the crown of Christ's righteousness. The symbolism could come from Paul's comment about winning the crown of life
Dawn (Sunrise)Dawn of resurrection. Hope for reunion in heaven with associates
DeathOften represented with a scythe, or as an archer, or as a skeleton or skull with crossbones
DoveSymbol of the Holy Ghost, innocence and gentleness, conjugal affection and constancy
Dove with Olive BranchSignifies peace and security. The dove returning to the ark with an olive branch indicated that the land had reappeared after the flood
Dove with EagleRepresents the renewal of life
DragonA Western symbol of evil and the serpent
Eggs with DartsQuite a common design for the edges of tombstones or as a frieze, symbolising resurrection after death. The egg symbolised life and birth while the dart (arrow) depicted death
Eye of GodAll-seeing
Flame (Fire)Light, life and eternity. Also signifies creation and destruction
FlowersRoses (without thorns) signify innocence and paradise; lilies (white and pure) are the Victorian flower for death and mourning; ivy (evergreen) signify loyalty, patience, immortality and bonding; and ferns (grow in shade) depict humility
FruitApples are the forbidden fruit but are also the fruit of salvation and sweetness in love; pomegranates are for fertility and were traditionally worm free; and grapes represented Christ's miracles and abundance
GriffonBody of a lion with the head and wings of an eagle. Signifies power, a guardian of treasure, and watchfulness
HandRight hand emerging from a heavenly cloud symbolises a blessing from God (Moses saw right hand of God but not his face). It often holds a broken chain, a scroll, or points to a cross or heaven. A heart in the palm means charity. Left hand is the Devil's
Hands (pair)Ttwo hands presumably signify prayer and/or supplication
Hands (clasped)A female hand (with lace at the wrist) is usually on the left side and a male (with cuffs and links) is on the right signifying union, friendship and affection. Used as a sign of farewell, love and friendship not severed by death. A ribbon may join them
HeartA symbol of charity or the Sacred Heart of Christ, or with flames as the Divine Heart. It can be pierced, held in hands, crowned or appear with a cross. Two together can symbolise love in marriage
Hour GlassSymbolic of time and life running out, quickly reaching its end and this can be emphasised by giving the hourglass wings. Time can also be represented by a scythe, clock or sundial
Letters (IHS or $)IHS looks like dollar sign if letters are superimposed. Iota, epsilon and sigma were first three letters of `Jesus' in Greek. `In hoc signo' was Latin for `in this sign you will conquer'. Today it means `Jesus Hominum Salvator' (Jesus Saviour of Men)
Letters (XP or PX)The letters XP, or Chi-Rho, are the first two Greek letters in the name `Christos' and refer to being buried under Christ. Today the letters may be reversed as PX to represent `pax' or `peace'
Letters (AO)AO or Alpha and Omega refer to the beginning and the end and are often shown with the book of life
Letters (T)The Greek T, or tau, is the initial of Theos (God), and is also the Egyptian hieroglyphic for life
Letters (TNZBH)Hebrew symbol for `may their soul be bound up in the bond of eternal life'
Light HouseA beacon indicative of a safe haven
Lych GateChurchyard gate below which the deceased can rest awhile before burial. Sometimes shown in miniature surmounting crosses
National SymbolsThe Celtic harp (bards sang history) and the shamrock; the Scottish thistle; and the Jewish menorah candlestick, oil lamp, and star with six points for God's universality or seven for completeness
NumbersThree - the Trinity; beginning, middle and end; the three graces and the three fates. Seven (perfection) - the world was created in seven days; the seven ages of man; and the seven pillars of wisdom. Three-leafed shamrock and seven-petalled flowers
ObeliskSymbol of eternal life, fertility, regeneration and resurrection
Obelisk (broken)Symbolises life being cut short
Plant (Acanthus)Greek and Roman architectural decoration widely used to decorate slabs
Plant (Anemone)Symbol of brief blossoming and early death
Plant (Chrysanthemum)Japanese national flower
Plant (Daisy)Simple decorative design used widely
Plant (Fern)Symbol of New Zealand
Plant (Fleur de Lis)Symbolic of life. It may represent conventionalised three white lilies or white irises. It is sometimes incorporated into geometric designs
Plant (Garland)Commonly made up of roses, lillies or several flowers. Used as decoration or hung over crosses or surrounding urns
Plant (Iris)Possibly the origin of the Fleur de Lis
Plant (Ivy)A clinging, climbing plant, symbolising adherence to a religious faith
Plant (Laurel)Signifies victory and achievement in arts. Usually presented in form of laurel wreaths
Plant (Lily)The white Madonna lily signifies purity, chastity and virginity
Plant (Mistletoe)Ancient Druid symbol of life and protection, veneration and healing power
Plant (Pansy)Symbol of thought. (French = 'pensee')
Plant (Passion Flower)Symbol of Christ's passion, sacrifice, suffering and redemption
Plant (Primrose)Does appear but significance unknown. May only be decorative
Plant (Shamrock)Symbol of Ireland (Eire). Commonly used on Irish Catholic monuments and incorporated into the design of some crosses
Plant (Sunflower)Symbolic of gratitude and affectionate remembrance. The flower turns towards the sun, indicating brightness
Plant (Thistle)Symbolic of Scotland. Often appears with the cross of St Andrew
Plant (Trumpet Flower)Possibly a stylised Petunia. May only be decorative
Plant (Tulip)May only be decorative or could represent the Netherlands
Plant (Vine)Symbolic of Christian faith. Highly decorative in most cases
Plant (Wheat)Represents bread, or the Body of Christ. Bread was also said to be the Staff of Life
Plant (wreath)Common symbol of mourning and respect. Also represents martyrdom
PyramidIndicates the mountain where the Gods dwelt
RingSimilar to a circle indicating completeness and perfection
ScrollSymbol of life and time. Both ends rolled up indicates a life that is unfolding like a scroll of uncertain length and the past and future hidden. Often held by a hand representing life being recorded by angels. Can also suggest honour and commemoration
Scythe (Sickle)Signifies time and death. Indicates life cut off
SerpentMay be trampled as a triumph over sin and death or may be depicted with its tail in its mouth as the old Celtic symbol for eternity
ShellShells are symbols of life and resurrection, hence the depiction of Aphrodite rising from the sea within an open shell. The scallop is a symbol of pilgrimage
Sheep (Lamb)Symbol of Christ's care for his followers, the innocence of children or the lamb of God. Often features on children's graves. Also appears as a lamb kneeling on a rustic bench
SpiralSymbol of movement and progressive development. Often appears as an ascending spiral around a column
SpireReligious aspiration
Sunrise (Dawn)Dawn of resurrection. Hope for reunion in heaven with associates
TorchThe torch of triumphant life symbolises immortality and life versus death. It can be passed from hand to hand as in a relay race and can be shown upside down to represent life being snuffed out by death
TreeThe most commonly depicted trees are willows for mourning, oaks for life and steadfastness, and palms for peace. It represents death if it is cut down
Tree (Oak)The oak signifies strength, glory and honour, durability and steadfastness. It can also be represented as fronds of oak leaves and acorns
Tree (Olive)Associated with the return of the dove to Noah's ark representing peace and security
Tree (Willow)The weeping willow signifies sadness, mourning and death
Tree-BoleBole cut off signifies life's end
TriangleSymbol of the Trinity
UrnSignifies death and mourning. Popular in late Victorian period in a vase form and earlier in a gravy-boat form. Symbolic of Roman cremation urns depicting remembrance. Often draped with Christ's shroud or put on an alter draped with a lace-fringed cloth
VaseWidely used in ancient burial and memorial art. Signifies death and mourning

Grave Surround


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