Tombstone Iconography

Category: Keyword to Search
Title	Description	Burials	Photo?
Ab Initio, Ad Finem	Latin for "From the Beginning to the End"	Burials
Alpha and Omega	The Alpha and the Omega are the first and the last letters of the Greek alphabet - they represent the beginning and the end; the totality.	Burials
Anchor - Cross	Also known as crus dissimulata, it is actually a disguised cross used by early Christians to hide their religion so they would not be persecuted.	Burials	NA
Angels	Angels engraved on tombstones mean spirituality; they guard the tomb and are thought to be messengers between God and man. See also "Cherub"	Burials
Ankh	Ancient Egyptian symbol of life; the universe; all life both human and divine.	Burials
Banner	Victory, Triumph, Rejoicing	Burials
Basket	A basket my be simply decorative. A tipped basket represents life's end. A basket of flowers represents nature's blessing.	Burials
Beehive	Unified, harmonious community. Symbol of Mormonism. Masons considered the beehive to be a symbol of industriousness and productivity.	Burials
Books	A Holy Bible is often found on Christian stones. A Bible and the Book of Mormon may be found on Mormon stones. Also symbolizes knowledge; education.	Burials
Chalice	Symbol of Christian Faith. The Chalice may represent Charity on the "Faith, Hope, Charity" triumvariate.	Burials
Cherub	Cherubs or Baby Angels are most commonly found on the graves of children. See Angels for more information.	Burials
Clouds	Clouds typically represent Heaven.	Burials
Crook (Crosier)	Crosiers or Shephard's Crooks are often associated with Odd Fellows. Carried by or before an abbot, bishop, or archbishop as a symbol of office.	Burials
Cross - Aaronic Order Church	Aaronic Order Church Cross symbol.	Burials
Cross - Bontonee	The Budded Cross. Three lobed ends or Buds, representing the trinity. Also known as Trefoil, Bottony, Botonee.	Burials
Cross - Calvary	A Latin cross on three steps or blocks symbolizing faith, hope and love or charity. Also known as a Graded Cross, Stepped Cross or Altar Cross.	Burials
Cross - Celtic	The Celtic or Irish Cross is a cross within a circle which stands for eternity.	Burials
Cross - Chi Rho (letters X and P) or Labarum	The letters X and P are the Greek letters for Chi Rho, an abbreviation for the word Christ. The Chi Rho Cross is a warrior's cross.	Burials
Cross - Egyptian	Also known as a Coptic Cross, adapted from the Ankh symbol, the symbol of life.	Burials
Cross - Episcopal	Episcopal Cross	Burials
Cross - Fleure-de-lis	The Fleure-de-lis cross is adorned with lily petals at the arm ends. Similar to the Fleurie cross.	Burials
Cross - Fleurie	The Fleurie (Flory, Floretty, Fleuronny) Cross has three lobed ends which represent the Trinity when used as a Christian Cross.	Burials
Cross - Greek	The Greek Cross has four equal arms and is the traditional symbol of Christian faith.	Burials
Cross - Ionic	Similar to the Celtic cross with ends that flair outward signifying everlasting salvation, love and glory.	Burials
Cross - Labarum	See Chi-Rho	Burials
Cross - Latin	The Latin or Christian Cross is the most common form of the cross. The simple design is one of the oldest symbols of Christianity.	Burials
Cross - Lauburu or Basque	The Lauburu or Basque cross was generally used as a symbol of prosperity in heraldry. May mark the tomb of healers of animals and healers of soul.	Burials
Cross - Lily	The Lily Cross is simply a Latin cross decorated with lilies (usually white arum lilies).	Burials
Cross - Lutheran	Lutheran Cross	Burials
Cross - Moline	One of the oldest heraldic variations of the cross. In heraldry the arms of the cross peal off into two curls at the end.	Burials
Cross - Presbyterian	Presbyterian Cross	Burials
Cross - Religious	The Cross is an emblem of faith. Nice site with crosses.	Burials
Cross - Russian Orthodox	The Russian Orthodox Cross consists of three bars, the lowest bar is slanted.	Burials
Cross - Swastika	The original swastika cross was a symbol of good fortune. Unfortunately, the swastika is now associated with Hitler and evil.	Burials
Cross - United Methodist Church	United Methodist Church Emblem	Burials
Cross with Crown	Christian symbol of sovereignty of the Lord. It is also an emblem used with the Christian Scientist religion and is a symbol of the Knights Templar.	Burials
Ecclesiastes 12.6-7	Depiction of Ecclesiastes 12.6-7 includes a wheel with a broken cord, a broken pitcher, a shattered bowl and water representing the well or spring.	Burials
Evangelists	The four Evangelists who wrote the gospels Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are generally represented by an angel, winged ox, winged lion and an eagle.	Burials
Evangelists	Matthew: Winged Man, Mark: Winged Lion, Luke: Winged Ox, John: Eagle	Burials
Faith, Hope, Charity (Book, Anchor and Heart)	A triumvirate of Biblical virtues, Faith, Hope, and Charity. The book is Faith, the anchor Hope, and the hands or heart are Charity.	Burials
Flame	Eternal Life or Eternal Vigilance	Burials
Gate	Open gates symbolize afterlife; the entrance to heaven.	Burials
Harp or Lyre	Heavenly Music or Joy. The Harp is a symbol of hope --it may have a broken string. Symbol of Ireland.	Burials
Heart with Anchor and Cross	Faith, Hope and Charity.	Burials
Heart with Sword	Catholic symbol known as the Immaculate Heart of Mary.	Burials
Hebrew Symbolism - Here Lies	This sign is found on many Jewish tombstones. It represents the Hebrew words po nikbar or po nitman, meaning "Here Lies"	Burials
Key	Symbolizes the key to unlock the gates of heaven (St. Peter), or a learned person or a symbol of knowledge of the scriptures.	Burials
Lamp	A symbol of Immortality of the Spirit; illuminates the word of God.	Burials
Menorah	The Menorah, a seven-branched candelabra, is a symbol of divine wisdom and may be found on Jewish markers. It also symbolizes a "righteous" woman	Burials
Mitre (Headdress worn by a Bishop)	The liturgical headdress and part of the insignia of a Christian bishop. In the Western church it is a tall pointed hat with peaks in front and back, worn at all solemn functions.	Burials
MIZPAH	watch-tower; the look-out	Burials
Obelisk	Rebirth, connect between Heaven & Earth. An upright four-sided pillar, gradually tapering as it rises and cut off at the top in the form of a pyramid.	Burials
Ostensorium or Monstrance	Generally marks the grave of clergy. The device is a vessel of the Eucharist most commonly in the shape of a flower or the sun.	Burials
Pitcher	A pitcher broken at the fountain is representative of Ecclesiastes 12, verse 6: "Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern."	Burials
Rocks	Christian symbol for the Lord.	Burials
Sic Transit Gloria Mundi	"Thus passes away the Glory of the World" -- AKA "You Can't Take it With you"	Burials
Sun	A shining sun represents Heavenly light. Also see "Winged Sun Disk."	Burials
Tent	Societies associate tents with a place to summon the powers of God. A symbol used by the Masons	Burials
Trumpet	Praise of God; Judgement Day,	Burials
Unidentified/Unknown Symbol	Tombstone emblems that have yet to be identified in our current classification system.	Burials
Urn	Immortality, penitence, death of the body and its return to dust in the final resting-place. The draped Urn represents sorrow or mourning.	Burials
Winged Sun Disk	Appears on many Egyptian tombs and temple entrances and commemorates the victory of light over darkness, and the life giving properties of the sun.	Burials