Unravel the meanings of your ancestors’ tombstone art with this quick guide to the significance of common marks:
• angels: God’s messengers and guardians
• archways, pillars and gates: passage into the next life
• book: the Bible, the book of life
• broken tree stump or pillar: a life cut short
• completed pillar or column: a complete and full life
• doves: the Holy Spirit
• forefinger pointing down: God reaching down for the soul
• forefinger pointing up: passage of the soul to heaven
• half-carved tombstone: transition from life to death
• handshake: God welcoming the soul into heaven
• heart: a blissful soul (Colonial era), romantic love (Victorian era to today)
• hourglass: flight of time
• lambs: purity, gentleness, innocence
• palm leaves and lilies: resurrection
• rose: motherhood, beauty
• skeleton: death
• skull and crossbones: mortal remains of the deceased
• soul effigy: the immortal soul
• tree stumps: usually Woodmen of the World member
• urn: death of the flesh
• willow: mourning and earthly sorrow
• winged death head: mortal remains of the deceased
