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![\"Grave](\"http:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Grave-Marker-Symbols-1024x307.jpg\")
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Last Updated December 10, 2023<\/span><\/p>\n<\/header>\n Ancestry 50% Off Gift Memberships for Black Friday (Gift to Anyone, Even Yourself!)<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Have you ever met a genealogist who didn\u2019t love visiting cemeteries? They\u2019re right up there on most family historian\u2019s lists of favorite haunts \u2013 alongside libraries, courthouses, and archives. We love visiting historic places that provide clues to the mysteries of our ancestors\u2019 lives. Cemeteries are full of history and, of course, mystery, including the fascinating clues and hidden messages in grave marker symbols that are just waiting to be deciphered.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A grave marker was often a family\u2019s final \u2014 and sometimes only \u2014 option for memorializing their deceased loved ones. Official vital records that recorded birth and death dates have only been required in the US since the early 20th century, and as genealogists well know, other sources of data on a person\u2019s life can be quite scarce, or even nonexistent. <\/span><\/p>\n A marker (often made of stone but sometimes other materials, such as wood, metal or clay and referred to as a gravestone, tombstone or headstone) is one record that can potentially preserve names, birth dates, and death dates for centuries and for future generations to discover. And if we\u2019re lucky, our ancestors\u2019 families added more clues to how their loved ones lived in what they chose to include, in addition to names an dates, on a marker. While sometimes thought of as only decorations, specific symbols held very special meaning to the people who chose them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n While it\u2019s impossible to document the meaning of every symbol found on graves, most denote a person\u2019s religious beliefs, hobbies, social associations, cultural or ethnic backgrounds, civic or fraternal affiliations, lifelong trade, commercial dealings, political beliefs, professional career, or military services.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Make Instant Discoveries in Your Family Tree Now Imagine adding your family tree to a simple website and getting hundreds of new family history discoveries instantly.<\/b><\/p>\n MyHeritage is offering 2 free weeks of access to their extensive collection of 20 billion historical records, as well as their matching technology that instantly connects you with new information about your ancestors<\/b>. Sign up using the link below to find out what you can uncover about your family. Discover New Genealogy Records Instantly<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Although most symbols can be traced back to a person\u2019s endeavors, personality, or beliefs, some aren\u2019t indicative of were quite common only during certain eras, while others have endured and are still used today. But what do these commonly-found images mean?<\/span><\/p>\n Hands and fingers have been included in gravestone engravings for centuries, and some forms are still popular today. You might find the following while looking for cemetery symbols:<\/span><\/p>\n One Hand on a Grave Marker:<\/strong> Often, meant to depict the hand of God<\/span><\/p>\n Praying Hands:<\/strong> Usually associated with religious prayer, but could also symbolize <\/span> obedience, submission, sincerity, repentance, or veneration one\u2019s higher power<\/span><\/p>\n Clasped Hands\/Handshake:<\/strong> Friendship; farewell to earthly life and welcome to heavenly life; or reunion in heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n Forefinger Pointing Up:<\/strong> Hope for heaven or a soul\u2019s passage to heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n 20 Billion Genealogy Records Are Free for 2 Weeks Get two full weeks of free access to more than 20 billion genealogy records right now. You\u2019ll also gain access to the MyHeritage discoveries tool that locates information about your ancestors automatically<\/b> when you upload or create a tree. What will you discover about your family\u2019s past?<\/p>\n Claim My Free Record Access Now<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Forefinger Pointing Down:<\/strong> God reaching down for the deceased\u2019s soul.<\/span><\/p>\n See the images below for examples.<\/p>\n Engravings or actual sculptures of animals are often included in gravestones for particular reasons. For example:<\/span><\/p>\n Lions:<\/strong> May indicate strength, courage, or bravery of the deceased or may be meant to <\/span> protect the grave.<\/span><\/p>\n Snakes and Serpents:<\/strong> Historically symbols of everlasting life; a snake formed into a circle indicates eternity (and, incidentally, is called an <\/span>ouroboro<\/span><\/i>).<\/span><\/p>\n Horse:<\/strong> Symbolizes courage and generosity.<\/span><\/p>\n Eagle:<\/strong> Stands for courage, strength, and immortality, but could also indicate patriotism.<\/span><\/p>\n Dragonfly:<\/strong> A symbol of change, transition, lightness, or joy.<\/span><\/p>\n Frog:<\/strong> Depicts worldly treasures or resurrection.<\/span><\/p>\n Butterfly:<\/strong> Symbolizes rebirth, resurrection, or the natural cycle of life and death.<\/span><\/p>\n Dove:<\/strong> Indicates peace, or the deceased at peace.<\/span><\/p>\n Lamb:<\/strong> Often seen on the grave\u2019s of children, symbolizes innocence and purity<\/p>\n Some common gravestone symbols are closely related to mortality and death, while some are representative of a person\u2019s livelihood.<\/span><\/p>\n Urn Covered in Drapes:<\/strong> Urns are the traditional receptacles for cremated remains, and urns on gravestones are quite common. An urn covered with a drape or fabric can represent multiple things: death\u2019s \u201cfinal curtain,\u201d a cloth to protect or guard the ashes, or that the soul has departed the shrouded body for heaven.<\/span><\/p>\n Inverted Torches:<\/strong> While a \u201cright-side-up\u201d burning torch often represents immortality or everlasting life, an upside-down torch indicates the flame of life has been extinguished.<\/span><\/p>\n Broken Column:<\/strong> Any broken or incomplete monument or engraving \u2014 a column, sword, tree, flower, branch, or tree stump \u2014 typically indicates a life cut short.<\/span><\/p>\n Rising or Setting Sun:<\/strong> Often indistinguishable, the rising or setting sun symbolizes an earthly life coming to an end and resurrection into the next life.<\/span><\/p>\n Keys, Arches, or Gates:<\/strong> Either of these can symbolize entrance into heaven, or the transition from earthly life to the afterlife.<\/span><\/p>\n Books:<\/strong> If not representative of the Christian Bible or other religious text, books may indicate the deceased was a teacher or scholar.<\/span><\/p>\n Military Insignia:<\/strong> Most symbols of the current Armed Forces are easily recognizable, but you might find other symbols on older gravestones that indicate military service, including:<\/span><\/p>\n Southern Cross of Honor (for Confederates who fought in the Civil War)<\/span>Raised Lettering Inside a \u201cSunken Shield\u201d (for those who fought for the Union)<\/span>Anchor (for sailors)<\/span><\/p>\n Throughout the centuries, a person\u2019s religious affiliation or personal beliefs have been such an important and integral part of their lives that symbols of their faith are quite often incorporated into their gravestones.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Called \u201cemblems of belief\u201d by the <\/span>U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in its Government Headstones and Markers reference document<\/span>, symbols that represent a person\u2019s religious faith are still in use today on both military headstones and other grave markers. You might find similar emblems on the non-military and historical graves to indicate a specific faith. <\/span><\/p>\n Here are 66 religious symbols the VA will add to gravestones:<\/span><\/p>\n While the VA\u2019s emblems of belief reflect the current symbols that signifying a person\u2019s religion or belief system, you may find variations or older representations on your ancestors\u2019 gravestones.<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to the above, you might find some of the following symbols on the gravestones of those of Catholic and other Christian faiths:<\/span><\/p>\n Alpha and Omega:<\/strong> The Greek letters Alpha and Omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. On gravestones, the letter A and the lower case \u03ce or upper case \u03a9 symbol represent Jesus.<\/span><\/p>\n Chi Rho or Chrismon:<\/strong> Chi and Rho are the first two letters (\u03a7\u03a1) of \u201cChrist\u201d in Greek \u03a7\u03a1\u0399\u03a3\u03a4\u039f\u03a3. (Christos). The symbol for Chi Rho is the letter P intersected by the letter X.<\/span><\/p>\n IHS:<\/strong> Early Christians shortened Jesus\u2019 name by writing the first three letters of his name in Greek, \u0399\u0397\u03a3 (from his full name \u0399\u0397\u03a3\u039f\u03a5\u03a3). Because the Greek letter \u03a3 (sigma) is written as an S in the Latin alphabet, the gravestone symbol will be read as \u0399\u0397S.<\/span><\/p>\n INRI:<\/strong> These initials stand for the Latin phrase \u201cIesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum\u201d or \u201cJesus the Nazarene, King of the Jews\u201d \u2014 the inscription placed over Christ\u2019s head during the Crucifixion.<\/span><\/p>\n Anchor or Cross and Anchor:<\/strong> Because hope was associated with salvation, Christians often use the anchor on gravestones to symbolize the hope that the deceased was \u201canchored\u201d in heaven.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Celtic Cross:<\/strong> While a cross represents the Christian faith, the ornate celtic cross is common in cemeteries across Scotland, Ireland and Wales and may be engraved on the gravestones of people of Scottish, Irish, or Welsh descent in the US.<\/span><\/p>\n Bible:<\/strong> May represent a religious lay person.<\/span><\/p>\n Triangle:<\/strong> This symbol could be used to represent the trinity of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. If there is an eye in the center of the triangle, it represents the all-seeing, all-knowing God.<\/span><\/p>\n Winged Wheel:<\/strong> May represent the Holy Spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n Vines:<\/strong> Evergreen vines may symbolize the Church and its followers, while vines with three-sided leaves may represent the Holy Trinity.<\/span><\/p>\n Shells:<\/strong> Scallop-shaped shells and clam shells may be a symbol of a person\u2019s baptism in the church or their Christian journey through life.<\/span><\/p>\n While the six-pointed Star of David, which represents divine protection, is the traditional symbol found on the gravestone of a person of Jewish faith, other engravings also indicate Jewish beliefs.<\/span><\/p>\n Animals:<\/strong> Animals are closely tied with Jewish naming traditions; thus, the image of a certain animal on a Jewish gravestone may provide clues to a nickname or simply serve as a visual representation of a given name.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Lion:<\/strong> Judah, Lieb, Levi, Aryeh,, Loew, or Loeb.<\/span>Deer:<\/strong> Tzvi, Hersh, or Hirsch<\/span>Bear:<\/strong> Dov Ber (a common compound name)<\/span>Wolf:<\/strong> Zev, Ze\u2019ev, Wolf, or Vulf<\/span>Bird:<\/strong> Zipporah, Fayge, or Feige<\/span><\/p>\n Five Books:<\/strong> A stack of five books on a gravestone means the deceased was a student or scholar of the Torah.<\/span><\/p>\n Menorah:<\/strong> The traditional candelabra of the Jewish faith, the menorah on gravestones may represent pious or religious Jewish women.<\/span><\/p>\n Crescent Moon: A common symbol of Islamic faith<\/p>\n Mosque-shaped Marker: Can symbolize piety<\/p>\n Please see this article for a look at historical Islamic markers.<\/p>\n Some of the oldest gravestones in the New England area of the United States and beyond include symbols reflecting the beliefs of the Puritan faith. Although Puritanism is not widely practiced today, the symbolism used in Puritan times can sometimes be found on gravestones in more modern cemeteries.<\/span><\/p>\n Winged Skull:<\/strong> This represents the flight the soul takes after death. <\/span>According to one source<\/span>, the wealthier 16th century Puritans would have a skull or skull and crossbones carved on their headstone as \u201ca bleak reminder of their belief that only the elect would go to heaven while the majority would be but bones in the ground.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Coffin,\u00a0 Skull and Crossbones, or Shovel and Pickaxe:\u00a0<\/strong> All three are symbols that simply reflect human mortality.<\/span><\/p>\n Hourglass:<\/strong> Reflects the passage of time<\/span><\/p>\n Winged Hourglass:<\/strong> A literal interpretation of the saying, \u201cTime flies,\u201d often indicating a short life. Carvings of Father Time or the Grim Reaper are often found along with this symbol.<\/span><\/p>\n Scythe:<\/strong> Images of the personification of Death typically include a scythe, as Death is making the \u201clast harvest\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Skeleton or Skull:<\/strong> Both are anatomical personifications of death<\/span><\/p>\n Cemeteries are often known for their lush landscaping: Flowers, trees, and manicured lawns contribute to the sense of peace to be found among the dead. However, many of these nature-related symbols are also found on gravestones, and may have significant meanings.<\/span><\/p>\n Trees:<\/strong> A tree of indistinguishable species often indicates the \u201ctree of life,\u201d a symbol that means longevity in many cultures. Specific types of trees hold other meanings:<\/span><\/p>\n Olive Branch, Tree, or Leaf:<\/strong> Peace, good intentions, longevity, fertility, or prosperity.<\/span>Weeping Willow Tree and Urn:<\/strong> Grief and immortality.<\/span>Evergreen Tree:<\/strong> Remembrance and faithfulness.<\/span>Oak:<\/strong> Strength, strong faith, manliness, honor, or steadfastness.<\/span>Dogwood:<\/strong> Christianity, divine sacrifice, resurrection.<\/span><\/p>\n Bouquet of Flowers:<\/strong> Like those placed on a grave to acknowledge the deceased, a bouquet of flowers inscribed on the stone offers condolences to the family. In the 19th century, a bundle of flowers was also an indication of love. Specific types of flowers hold other meanings:<\/span><\/p>\n Lotus Flower, Water Lily, or Lily of the Valley:<\/strong> Rebirth and reawakening.<\/span>Lily:<\/strong> Purity, love, innocence and goodness.<\/span>Common symbols found on grave markers<\/span><\/h2>\n
Hands and fingers on a gravestone<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Gravestones](\"http:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Hands-Gravestone-Symbols.png\")
<\/picture><\/noscript><\/h4>\nAnimal images or sculptures on gravestones<\/span><\/h3>\n
Other commons gravestone symbols<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/picture><\/noscript><\/p>\nReligious gravestone symbols<\/span><\/h3>\n
Recognized emblems of belief<\/span><\/h4>\n
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<\/picture><\/noscript><\/p>\nChristian symbols<\/span><\/h3>\n
![\"Catholic](\"http:\/\/www.whogenealogydna.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/Catholic-and-Christian-Symbology.png\")
<\/picture><\/noscript><\/p>\nJewish gravestone symbols<\/span><\/h3>\n
Islamic (Muslim) grave markers<\/h3>\n
Puritan grave marker engravings<\/span><\/h3>\n
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<\/picture><\/noscript><\/p>\nNature-related gravestone engravings<\/span><\/h3>\n
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