Art Of Mourning
Anchor: Early Christians used the anchor as a disguised cross, and as a marker to guide the way to secret meeting places. A Christian symbol of hope, it is found as funerary symbolism in the art of the catacombs. Often set amongst rocks. It can also be an occupational symbol in sea-faring areas or the attribute of Saint Nicholas, patron saint of seamen, symbolized hope and steadfastness. An anchor with a broken chain stands for the cessation of life.
Angels: the agent of God, often pointing towards heaven; guardians of the dead, symbolizing spirituality. Angels are shown in all types of poses with different symbolism.
Two angels can be named, and are identified by the objects they carry: Michael, who bears a sword and Gabriel, who is depicted with a horn.
Blowing a trumpet (or even two trumpets) representing the day of judgment, and Call to the Resurrection
Carrying the departed soul as a child in their arms, or as a Guardian embracing the dead. The "messengers of god" are often shown escorting the deceased to heaven.
Flying Rebirth
Many angels gathered together in the clouds: represents heaven.
Weeping: Grief, or mourning an untimely death.
Arch: Victory of life; or victory in death.
Arrow: denotes mortality.
Baby's chair: small, empty furniture symbolized unfulfilled lives of children; represented the child now gone; with small shoes on chair - connection to childhood, symbolized inability to achieve adulthood.
Bible: connotes a religious lay person or a cleric.
Book: faith, learning to read and write, a scholar. A prayer, or knowledge or even memory (where it has a dog-eared page). It may represent the Book of Life and is often shown as a bible. A popular form is the book as a double page spread.
Candle: with a flame - Life.
Chalice: sacraments
Cherubs: the graves of children
Cherub's Head: the soul
Children: usually represent the untimely death of the innocent. They may be shown mourning a parent, but if holding a skull that means they are dead themselves.
Sleeping:sleep is the tie between life and death; children are purity, artlessness, innocence.
Charisma: a cross like shape formed by a combination of two Greek letters, chi (X) and rho (P) corresponding to CH and R of the word, Christ, hence a symbol for Jesus Christ.
Circle: perfection or eternity in the after world, life everlasting.
Coffin, sarcophagus, cemetery monument: mortality
Columns
broken:an early grief, end of life, sorrow. Life cut short too soon. May be girded with flowers. This image represents the decay. It usually represents the loss of the family head.
with archway: heavenly entrance.
Cross and anchor: another early Christian symbol referring to Christ as "hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sincere and steadfast" (Hebrews 6:19).
Cross: The crucifixion of Christ; circle in combination with Latin cross means never-ending existence / Faith.
Cross, Calvary: A Cross standing atop three steps of blocks, represents faith, hope and love (or charity).
Cross, Gothic: Floral cross with open flared out ends; symbolises the adult Christian.
Cross, Greek: Four equal length arms.
Cross, Ionic: Similar to Celtic Cross; symbolises everlasting salvation, love and glory. The circle around the cross represents eternity.
Crown: immortality, righteousness, victory, triumph, resurrection, symbolic of honour or glory, glory of life after death. May be shown being offered to those on Earth by Angels.
Crown on a cross: sovereignty of the Lord.
Doors and gates: passage into the afterlife. Heavenly entrance.
Drapery over anything: sorrorw, mourning.
Flame: eternity
Grim reaper: death personified
Hand: A single hand, usually holding a spray or wreath of flowers is frequently used in mourning jewellery, but more often from Whitby jet. It is usually in memory of a husband or sweetheart.
Harp: Associated with David in the Old Testament; symbol of St. Cecilia, patron saint of musicians. Symbolic of worship in heaven, hope.
Hourglass: Time's inevitable passing, attribute of death and Father Time, represents the passage of time and the shortness of life.
Keys: Keys stand for spiritual knowledge or, if held in the hands of an angel or saint, the means to enter heaven.
Knot: The interlaced Celtic knot represents resurrection and life everlasting.
Labrynth: The passage of life.
Lamp: Knowledge, a love of learning, and the immortality of the Spirit.
Pall, pick, spade: Mortality.
Pitcher: Jewish symbol - traditional symbolism for Levites would have been the pitcher or ewer, representative of washing the hands of the High Priests.
Rod or staff: Comfort
Scroll: Symbol 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: Death, the divine harvest.
Shell: The use of shell in burials is pre-Christian in practice and pre-dates even Egyptian burial practices. Shell is symbolic of fertility, resurrection and pilgrimage. Shells, coins and small stones are the traditional objects left at grave sites. There are several meanings given to this act. It may be a symbolic referral to the ancient custom of burying the dead under a cairn of rocks to protect the body from scavenging animals, or a reminder that the individual is not forgotten.
Scallop: symbol of the Crusades, pilgrim, pilgrim's journey, resurrection, life everlasting, connotes one's life journey. A symbol of birth and resurrection, a traditional symbol of the Puritans.
Ship: the grave of a seafarer.
Sickle: death as the "last harvest".
Skull, skeleton: Mortality, death.
Star: Stars stand for the spirit, piercing the darkness as an expression of their triumph against the overwhelming odds of oblivion. Five pointed stars represent the spirit rising to heaven.
Sun setting: Death.
Sun shining/rising: Renewed life.
Sword: a military career.
Swords, crossed: Indicates death in battle.
Torch: Lit or upright torch represents life; the inverted or extinguished - death
Trumpets: Victory and Resurrection
Urn: Greek symbol of mourning, the body as a vessel of the soul, originating as a repository for the ashes of the dead in ancient times - a popular symbol of mourning. Most represent an ossuary. In several examples an Angel is looking inside it as if to inspect the contents. A flame is sometimes shown coming from the Urn. They are often draped with a cloth or festooned with a wreath or garland. This fashion of Urns persisted well into the 1850's at least.
Urn, draped connotes death, often of an older person.
Vessel with flame: the eternal flame or the eternal spirit of man.
Winged face: Effigy of the soul of the deceased.
Winged globe: a symbol of the Egyptian sun god, Re; on Victorian monuments, it is symbolic of the power that can recreate, and, with the wings, means, "God, Lord over all, creator".
Winged skull: Flight of the soul from mortal man.
Winged wheel: Symbol of the holy spirit
Woman:
weeping at a tomb: Widow / considered representation of the Madonna.
with or without the Bible pointing upward: faith
hanging onto Cross: faith. Original drawing accompanied Rev. Toplady's hymn "Rock of Ages". Also seen as woman clinging to pillar or anchor. Common motif on white bronze monuments and Masonic grave memorials.
Acacia: immprtality of the soul
Acanthus: heavenly garden. One of the oldest cemetery motifs, acanthus is associated with the rock ground where most ancient Greek cemeteries were placed. It is the most common motif found on memrials.
Anemone, garden: Forsaken.
Almond, flowering: Hope.
Balm: Sympathy.
Bamboo: the emblem of Buddha. The seven-knotted bamboo denotes the seven degrees of initiation and invocation in Buddhism. On Japanese memorials, symbolic of devotion and truthfulness.
Bay leaf: I change but in death.
Bell flower, white: Gratitude.
Bluebell: Constancy.
Broken flower: A life terminated, mortality.
Buttercup: Cheerfulness.
Calla lily: Symbolises marriage.
Campanula: Gratitude.
Carntion, red: Beauty always new
Chrysanthemum: I love.
Clover, white: Think of me.
Clover, four-leaved: Be mine.
Cinquefoil: maternal affection, beloved daughter.
Convolvulus, major: Extinguished hopes or eternal sleep.
Coreopsis, Arkansa: Love at first sight.
Corn (Garbe): It was a country custom to send a sheaf to relatives on the death of a farmer. It may be used as an occupational symbol.
Crocus: Youthful gladness.
Cuckoo Pint: Ardour.
Cypress tree: Designates hope.
Daffodil: death of youth, desire, art, grace, beauty, deep regard.
Daisy: Innocence of child, Jesus the Infant, youth, the Son righteousness, gentleness, purity of thought.
Daisy, garden: I share your sentiment.
Dead leaves: Sadness, melancholy.
Dogwood: Christianity, divine sacrifice, triumph of eternal life, resurrection.
Fern: Sincerity, sorrow.
Figs, Pineapples: Prosperity, eternal life.
Fleur-de-lis: Flame, passion, ardor, mother.
Flower: frailty of life.
Forget-me-not: Remembrance / true love.
Furze or Gorse: Enduring affection.
Grapes: represent Christ.
Grapes and leaves: Christian faith.
Harebell: Grief.
Hawthorn: Hope, merriness, springtime.
Heartsease or Pansy: I am always thinking of you.
Holly: Foresight.
Honeysuckle: Bonds of love, generosity and devoted affection.
Honesty: Sincerity.
Ivy: Memory, immortality, friendship, fidelity, faithfulness, undying affection, eternal life, marriage.
Jonquil: I hope for a return of affection.
Lalla: Beauty, marriage.
Laurel leaves: Special achievement, distinction, success, triumph.
Lily: Majesty, innocence, purity, and resurrection. Often associated with the Virgin Mary and resurrection. Often used on women's graves. The use of lilies at funerals symbolizes the restored innocence of the soul at death.
Lily of the valley: Return of happiness, purity, humility.
Marigold: Grief or despair.
Morning glory: Resurrection, mourning, youth, farewell, brevity of life, departure, mortality.
Mystic rose: Mother.
Oak tree: hospitality, stability, strength, honour, eternity, endurance, liberty. It is believed to have been the tree from which Jesus Christ's cross was made. In smaller pioneer cemeteries, it is common to place children's graves near oak trees. The oak tree was the tree of life in pre-Christian times. The Druids worshipped the oak. The oak, oak leaves and acorn can stand for power, authority or victory. Often seen on military tombs.
Passion flower: the elements of the passion of Christ: the lacy crown; the crown of thorns; the five stamens; the five wounds; the 10 petals; the 10 faithful Apostles
Pears: Affection.
Pineapple: Hospitality, good host.
Palm: Spiritual victory, success, eternal peace, a symbol of Christ's victory of death as associated with Easter.
Pansy: Symbolises remembrance and humility.
Pine: Fertility, regeneration, fidelity.
Poppy: Peace, rest, sleep, eternal sleep, consolation (red poppies).
Rose:love, beauty, hope, unfailing love, associated with the Virgin Mary, the "rose without thorns." There were many verities of rose, each with a special meaning, eg. A cabbage rose was 'an ambassador of love' and a white rose 'I am worthy of you'. Also on commemorative pieces as the symbol of England. A red rose symbolizes martyrdom and a white rose symbolizes purity and virginity. Whether the rose is a bud, flower or somewhere in between indicates how old the person was at the time of death:
Just a bud: Normally a child 12 or under.
Partial bloom: Normally a teenager.
Full bloom: Normally in early/mid twenties. The deceased died in the prime of life.
Rosebud, broken: Life cut short, usually found with a young person's grave.
Rosebuds, joining: Strong bond between two people (e.g., mother and child who died at the same time)
Rosebuds, several on same branch: Secrecy
Rosette: The Lord, messianic hope, promise, love.
Wreath of Rose: Beauty and virtue rewarded.
Rosemary: Remembrance.
Sage: Domestic virtue.
ShamrocK: Light-heartedness. Also on jewellery as the national symbol of Irelad, sometimes with an Irish harp.
Snowdrop: Hope.
Star of Bethlehem: Purity.
Sweet William: Gallantry.
Thistle: Earthly sorrow, Christ's crown of thorns, Scotland as country of origin.
Tree: The all-covering love of Christ. Life, the Tree of Life.
Severed branch: Mortality
Sprouting: Life everlasting.
Tulip, red: Declaration of love.
Violet, blue: Faithfulness.
Vine: The sacraments, God's blood, God.
Weeping willow: Nature's lament, a symbol of sorrow and mourning.
Wheat: Resurrection, bread and wine (Christian), fertility / Riches of the continuation of life.
Bushel: Body of Christ
Sheaves: The divine harvest, often represents the aged.
White lily, Purity and modesty.
Wreath or garland: The use of garlands, wreaths and festoons dates back to ancient Greek times and it was adopted into the Christian religion as a symbol of the victory of the redemption.
The laurel wreath is usually associated with someone who has attained distinction in the arts, literature, athletics or the military. The ivy wreath is symbolic of conviviality (gaiety or joviality). The wreath and festoon together symbolize memory.
Ancient symbol of victory. memory, passed to eternal life.
Bridal: may signify the grave of a young bride or groom.
Maiden's garland: A garland of white paper or linen, embellished with streamers and a single white glove, which was carried at the funerals of unmarried women of blameless reputation. The garlands were hung in the church after the funeral and allowed to decay. Then the pieces would be buried in the graveyard.
Yew tree: sadness, eternal life / sorrow
Birds in flight: These are symbolic of the "winged soul." The representation of the soul by a bird goes back to ancient Egypt. Some older burial art features only wings to convey the symbol of divine mission. Often denote the graves of children, eternal life.
Butterfly: The soul, Although quite rare, it is occasionally seen on graves (most often of children). It is symbolic of the resurrection of Christ. The meaning is derived from the three stages of the life of the butterfly; the caterpillar, the chrysalis, and the butterfly. The three stages are symbols of life, death and resurrection. Short-life.
Dog: Fidelity, signifying loyalty and that the master was worth loving.
Dolphin: Portrays the idea of resurrection.
Dove: An important symbolic animal in Christianity representing the Holy Spirit. The white dove is referred to in the story of baptism of Christ. "And John bore record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him" (Bible, John 1:32). The descending dove is a very common motif on grave memorials. Seven doves are representative of the seven spirits of God or the Holy Spirit in its sevenfold gifts of grace. Purity, devotion, Divine Spirit. When shown with an Olive Sprig it means Hope or Promise.
Dragon: Being defeated by St. George depicts triumph over sin.
Eagle: Suggests courage and possibly a military career, symbol for Saint John.
Fish: Faith.
Frog: Depicts sin and worldly pleasures, or may represent resurrection.
Hart (male deer): Represented either faithfulness, thirsting for God, or Christ slaying Satan
Horse: Courage or generosity. An attribute of St. George, St. Martin, St. Maurice and St. Victor, all of whom are represented in Christian art on horseback.
Lamb:This is the most common animal symbol found on a child's grave. The lamb appears throughout the ages with great regularity in Christian art and because it is a symbol of Christ: "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!" (Bible, John 1:29). The use of the lamb in religious art pre-dates Christianity and appears to have been used first by the Egyptians. It signifies purity and innocence. Christ in his sacrificial role and personifies: innocence, meekness, gentleness and humility.
Lion: Symbolizes the power of God and guards the tomb against evil spirits. Like other guardians, the lion's watch is as eternal as the stone of which it is depicted. The lion also recalls the courage and determination of the souls which they guard, they manifest the spirit of the departed. Resurrection.
Owl: Wisdom.
Peacock: Incorruptibility of flesh, resurrection, beauty of soul, immortality.
Phoenix: Resurrection, immortality, incorruptibility.
Rooster: Awakening, the resurrection.
Serpent: Shown swallowing its own tail it represents Eternity / love, eternity, rebirth, immortality.
Squirrel with a nut: Religious meditation or spiritual striving.
Swallow: Child or motherhood.
Agate: Health, longevity.
Alexandrine: Truth, justice, contentment, strength.
Amber: Disdain.
Amethyst: Sincerity, sobriety / peace of mind.
Aquamarine: Courage, truth, hope.
Bloodstone: Courage, presence of mind / Farewell - mourning absence.
Carnelian: Contentment, friendship / Distinction lies before thee.
Cat's Eye: Platonic love.
Coral: Thy choicest jewel is thy heart.
Cornelian: Friendship in sorrow.
Chrysolite: Happiness.
Diamond: Innocence, light / Forever thine, true love.
Emerald: Success in love.
Fire opal: Adversity cannot crush thee.
Garnet: Truth, constancy / fidelity in every engagement, virtue.
Jade: Forthrightness and immortality / remembrance.
Jet: Sadness and grief.
Lapis Lazuli: Tenderness, sympathy, love / nobility.
Moonstone: Purity, chastity / pensive beauty.
Onyx: Discordance, fear sadnesss / reciprocal love.
Opal: Hope / pure thoughts.
Ruby: Courage, purity.
Sapphire: Wisdom, love, truth, loyalty, justice.
Sardonyx: Material happiness.
Topaz: Fidelity, sobriety, clemency.
Turquoise: Prosperity, youth innocent love / fortune favours thee.
Zircon: Respect.
Affection Weeps, Heaven Rejoices
All I refuse & thee I chuse
Angels Weep When Children Mourn
Belle d'Amour (love token)
Dearest (love token)
Discite Invitatium (memento mori) (separation of justice)
E n perdant j'ai gagne (I'm losing I have gained)
Et in Arcadia Ego
Fidelity
For Us They Sicken, and For Us They die
Gone but not Forgotten
Gone Hence But Not Forgot
Gone to Bliss
Heaven Has in Store What Thou Hast Lost
He Sleeps in Jesus
Hearts United Live Contented
Hope of Eternal Life
I Mourn Her Loss
In Death Lamented, In Life Beloved
In Memoriam
In Memory Of
In Memory of the Departed
In Remembrance Of
In Spite of Envy
In Silent Sorrow o'er Thy Tomb I'll Mourn
La Verite me Dirge (The Truth is my Guide)
Le Plus Loin Le Plus Serre (The further the distance the tighter the knot)
Let's Live and Die In Unity
Memorial of Faithful Services
Memento Mori
My Beloved Child
Nypt in the Bud
Not Lost but Gone Before
Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear
Prepared be to follow me
Quand vou verrez cici souvenez vous de moi (Have this to remember me by)
Reading From the Book of Life
Regard (love token)
Remember Me (Unverg Mich)
Remember Thy Friend
Resurgam (Resurrection)
Rest in Peace
Sacred Will I Keep Thy Dear Remains
Sacred to Friendship
Suffer Little Children to Come Unto Me
Tho Lost to Sight in Memory Dear
The Shepherdess
The Truth is my Guide
The Vacant Seat
There's Rest in Heaven
Their Union Makes My Happiness
Though Lost to Sight, To Memory Dear
To Bliss
Tors Distunxit Amicitiamanet (Love Survives With Death Divides)
Virtue Lives Beyond The Grave
Weep Not
Weep Not For Me
Weep Not: It Falls to Rise Again
What Will You Do?
What Thou Has Lost, Heaven Has in Store
