Taphophile Symbology
What Do the Carvings on Gravestones Mean?
If you've walked through a cemetery, you've probably noticed some of the imagery on the older graves. Each image chosen had meaning at one point in history. Some of the more common ones are found below.
Anchor
Hope, steadfast faith, or a seafaring life.
Era
19th-20th century - Victorian specific
Achorn
A bud of life. Usually represents a life cut short in it's bud stage.
Era
18th-19th century
Angel
Guardianship, spirituality, and linking the earth to heaven.
Era
Medieval - Victorian specific. Rare use in US prior to 1800s.
Anvil
Blacksmith vocation
Era
19th-20th century
Arch
Victory in death or a passage to the afterlife.
Era
Medieval - Gothic specific
Arrow
Mortality or a death in battle.
Era
Medieval and after
Basket
Maternal bond, many children, fertility
Era
19th century
Bat Wings
An unfortunate death.
Era
18th-19th century
Beehive
Abundance or domestic virtue.
Era
18th-19th century
Bell
Religious faith.
Era
18th-19th century
Birds
Souls of the deceased. Specific birds can have additional meanings, like doves for peace.
Era
19th century
Book
Faith, wisdom, or one's life story. Open books can symbolize an open heart to God.
Era
17th century and after
Burning Flame
Eternity and resurrection
Era
17th-18th century
Butterfly
Resurrection and the soul's transformation.
Era
Victorian era and after
Candle
Life or the spirit; a snuffed candle represents death.
Era
17th-18th century. Can be older.
Celtic Cross
Faith, celtic heritage (not always).
Era
19th-20th century
Chain with a Broken Link
Loss or the death of a family member before their time.
Era
18th-19th century
Child or Baby Image
A child's grave. Usually placed by families of means who had images of their children made.
Era
18th-19th century
Circle
Eternity
Era
18th-19th century
Clasped Hands
Farewell and the hope of meeting again.
Era
18th-19th century
Clock
The swiftness of time.
Era
18th-19th century. Victorian specific
Clouds
Symbolic of heavenly realms.
Era
19th century
Clover
Typical for those of Irish heritage.
Era
19th century
Column (Broken)
Life cut short
Era
19th century. Victorian specific.
Corn
Farming vocation, abundance
Era
19th century
Cross
Christian faith, salvation, and resurrection.
Era
Early Christian era and after
Crown
Glory of life after death, victory, and righteousness.
Era
Medieval and after. Usually seen with other imagery.
Dove
Peace, purity, and the Holy Spirit.
Era
Early Christian era and after
Dragonfly
Change, adaptability, and the understanding of the deeper meaning of life.
Era
Late 20th century and after
Eagle
Typically for Veterans.
Era
1860s
Fern
Sincerity, humility, and solitude.
Era
Victorian era and after
Fish
Faith in Christ.
Era
Early Christian. 19th century resurgence.
Flowers
General symbolism of the brevity of life, love, and sorrow. Specific flowers have their meanings, like lilies for purity.
Era
Ancient
Flying Bird
Rebirth
Era
19th century. Victorian specific.
Grapes
The blood of Christ, immortality, and the Christian faith.
Era
Early Christian. 19th century resurgence.
Grim Reaper
Same as skull. Death is inevitable.
Era
18th-19th century
Hand Pointing Down
A reminder to all on earth to witness the coming of Christ.
Era
18th-19th century
Hand Pointing Up
The soul's journey to heaven.
Era
18th-19th century
Hands
Depending on the gesture, can symbolize a variety of things like unity, farewell, or divine welcome.
Era
18th-19th century
Harp
Hope
Era
19th century
Heart
Love, devotion, and the spiritual center of a person.
Era
17th-18th century. Can be older.
Hourglass
The swift passage of time, mortality, and the shortness of life.
Era
16th-18th century
Ivy
Immortality, attachment, and undying affection.
Era
Victorian era and after
Lamb
Innocence, found on children’s graves.
Era
18th-19th century
Lantern
Immortality, guidance, and the light of the soul.
Era
19th-20th century
Laurel
Victory, fame, or accomplishment.
Era
18th-19th century
Lighthouse
Guidance, comfort to those at sea, or an individual’s ability to overcome challenges.
Era
19th-20th century
Lily
Purity
Era
19th century. Victorian specific.
Lion
Courage and bravery
Era
19th century
Moon
Eternity, sleep, death
Era
19th century. Victorian specific.
Mortar and Pestle
Medical Profession
Era
19th century
Myrtle leaves
Undying love
Era
19th century. Victorian specific.
Oak Leaves
Strength, endurance, and faith.
Era
19th century
Obelisk
A connection between earth and heaven.
Era
1880s-1930s
Olive Branch
Peace or reconciliation.
Era
18th-19th century
Open gates
The afterlife and the soul entering heaven.
Era
19th century. Victorian specific.
Palm Branch
Spiritual victory, success, or eternal peace.
Era
19th century
Pineapple
Prosperity and hospitality
Era
18th-19th century
Pitcher
Symbolizes abundance. If found on a Jewish grave, symbolizes the Levites.
Era
19th century
Poppy
Eternal sleep, peace, and rest. May represent a veteran.
Era
1940s and after
Pyramid
Enlightenment or spiritual attainment.
Era
18th-19th century
Rainbow
Union or fulfillment of the promise of resurrection. More recent use may indicate that the deceased was a member of the LGBT+ community.
Era
19th century
Rope circle
Victory, triumph
Era
19th century
Rose
Love, beauty, and the brevity of existence. Different stages of bloom signify different ages of death.
Era
Ancient. Increased in Victorian era.
Scales
Justice, balance, and fairness in life or death.
Era
Medieval through 18th century
Scythe
Death, or the final harvest.
Era
Medieval through 18th century
Shell
Pilgrimage, life, and baptism in Christian faith.
Era
Early Christian era and after
Shield
Protection
Era
19th century
Skeleton Key
Knowledge, mystery, or entry into unknown realms.
Era
19th century
Skull/Skull and Crossbones/Death's Head
Mortality, penance, and human vanity. Iconic symbol on Puritan markers. Debate exists regarding Puritan contribution of Death's head.
Era
Medieval through 18th century
Sleeping cherub
Typically used for the gravestones of children.
Era
18th-19th century
Snake in a Circle (Ouroboros)
Eternal life, or the cycle of life and death.
Era
19th century
Soul Effigy (Face)
Replaced the skull as the image of death after the Puritan period. Debate exists regarding Puritan contribution of Death's head.
Era
16th-18th century
Star
Divine guidance, nobility, or the spirit's shining light. Service as a veteran.
Era
Victorian era and after
Star of David
Represents those of Jewish faith.
Era
19th century and after
Sun
Resurrection and new life
Era
19th century and after
Swallow
Motherhood
Era
19th century
Sword
Justice, martyrdom, or a life lost in battle.
Era
Medieval and after
Swords (crossed)
The deceased died in battle.
Era
Medieval and after
Thistle
Scottish descent/heritage
Era
19th century
Tree
Life and knowledge.
Era
18th-19th century
Tree stump
An interrupted life.
Era
18th-19th century
Trumpet
An announcement of the resurrection of the deceased’s soul.
Era
18th-19th century
Urn
The soul, penitence, or immortality.
Era
18th-19th century
Wheat
The body of Jesus Christ, resurrection, or harvest as a symbol of the end of life.
Era
19th century
Wheel
The circle of life, enlightenment, or spiritual power.
Era
19th century
Willow
Mourning, grief, and the sorrow of earthly life.
Era
18th-19th century
Wreath
Victory in death, memory, and eternal life.
Era
19th century