Welcome back, fellow graveyard enthusiasts. This is part two of our dive into cemetery iconography! A quick recap on Cemetery iconography as a whole - Cemeteries weren't places just for the dead, they were a communal ground to visit, respect, and lay our loved ones to rest. Headstones are used to mark the site of a grave as well as for telling stories, expressing grief, and keeping the memory of the departed alive. This was done through symbols and emblems, like a secret spy decoder- the language of the dead.
These symbols are often combined in intricate ways like a recipe or story, creating a unique tapestry that offers clues about the person’s life, their family, and the legacy they left behind.
These are just SOME symbols you might see while walking through the cemetery. The list could certainly be much longer, especially with the existence of secret societies and other religions. I collected what I see most often below:
Anchor- Can represent a seaman or someone with nautical ties. For Christians, it signifies hope and steadfast faith, symbolizing the soul anchored to heaven. In some cemeteries, an anchor also served as a discreet cross when religious symbols were restricted. A broken chain on an anchor signifies a life cut short.
Angels—This can be hard to categorize under one thing, as angels really are a topic all on their own, but at their core, these figures were used as a symbol of spirituality. An angel with open wings symbolizes the soul’s ascent to heaven, while a weeping angel represents grief, often marking an untimely death. Angels carrying the deceased or blowing trumpets may signify escorting souls to heaven or the Day of Judgment. Two specific angels can often be identified by the instruments they carry – Michael with his sword and Gabriel with their horns.
Book- can represent the Book of Life, the Bible, or a devotion to spiritual learning. It may also signify a scholarly life, a prayerful person, or a profession related to books, such as a writer or publisher. Books and scrolls sometimes denote the Evangelists, representing deep faith.
Catholic Cross- Often featuring the letters "IHS" (a monogram for Jesus Christ), is a traditional gravestone symbol. It’s derived from the Greek letters iota, eta, and sigma—the first three letters of "Jesus" in Greek.
Celtic Cross- The Celtic or Irish cross, a cross within a circle. Symbol of resurrection and everlasting life. often have what is known as knotwork carved into them.
Cherubs- Frequently seen on the graves of children, symbolizing innocence and the purity of a young life.
Colum- Represent a person who was a “pillar” in their community or family. A broken column often signifies a life cut short.
Clasping hands- Shows two hands clasped in farewell, symbolizing a loved one left behind. It can also indicate friendship or loyalty and sometimes signifies a connection to Freemasonry.
Crown with a sword - The crown is a symbol of power and freedom, the sword pointing down signifying that the fight is over. This is also a common Masonic symbol for the York Rite.
Dove- a common symbol among both Christians and Jewish patrons. Symbolizing resurrection, innocence, and peace. A dove ascending represents the transport of the soul while a descending dove symbolizes the assurance of a safe passage. A dove lying dead although not common was a symbol of a life cut short. Typically they are seen holding an olive branch or other ornamental.
Draped/ Shrouded monuments are a general symbol of mourning, a parting of the veil between this world and the next. Drapery was also a Victorian expression of mourning. Separating the world of the living from that of the dead.
Flying Hourglass- (see also winged skull) Symbolizing the swift passage of time.
Horseshoe- A symbol of protection from evil.
Lamb- Symbolizes innocence, purity, and sacrifice. Often used on the grave of a child.
Lion- A guardian of the cemetery. Used to protect a tomb from unwanted visitors/ spirits. A symbol of courage, bravery, and strength.
Obelisk- Egyptian symbol representing eternal life, heaven or the rays of the sun shining down forever. Became popular in the 19th century. symbol of greatness.
Pointing finger- Pointing up this symbolized the hope of heaven while pointing down represented god reaching down for the soul. Other common hand positions are blessing, clasping, pointing, and praying.
Scroll- Symbolizes a person's life. The past is rolled up the present ( moment of death) on display, and the future in the afterlife is yet to be revealed. Also used to signify honor and a memorial. Often used to represent the bible.
Skull- A symbol of memento mori, a reminder of our mortality. Popular funerary ornament in the 16th and 17th century. fell out of fashion in the 1800's because it was seen as overly morbid / cliche.
Sleeping figure- often used to signify death during the Victorian era. Sleeping children generally decorate the grave of a baby or young child. Rarely are the figures covered, symbolizing that they had nothing to cover up or hide because of their young and innocent nature.
Sphinx- Popular neo-Egyptian design. In the early 20th century, there was a renewed interest in all things Egyptian thanks to the discovery of King Tut's tomb. This style seeped into architecture and sculptures and was known as the Egyptian Revival.
Square & Compass- one of the most common Masonic symbols, standing for faith and reason. The square symbolizes the ability to use the teachings of conscience and morality to measure and verify the rightness of one's actions. The compass is a symbol of self-control, the intent to draw a proper boundary in life. You will likely see a letter G in the center said to represent "geometry" or "god"
Sunburst- Linked with death (sunset) and resurrection (sunrise). a passing over from this life to the next. Before the 19th century, most graveyards in the west were designed facing the east in view of the rising sun.
Swords- symbolizing a military career. protection.
Torch- This symbol is often seen in one of two ways upright or inverted. A representation of life the torch inverted symbolizes life in the next realm or a life "extinguished". Overall it represents life, immortality, and everlasting life even through death.
Weeping Figure- A display of grief or mourning. Sometimes used to symbolize an untimely or early death.
Wheel- A general representation of the cycle of life. Symbolizing enlightenment and divine power. Specific types of wheels also represent different things, like the eight-spoked wheel is a symbol of Buddhism, and the circular eight-spoked wheel used by the church of world messianism.
Winged Face- Depicts the soul of the deceased.
Winged Skull- ( See also winged hourglass) Popular symbol of the 17th and 18th centuries. Symbolizes the fleetingness of life and the soul soaring into the afterlife.
Upward pointing figure- Eternal reward, a spirit headed heavenward.
Urn- A common cemetery monument used to represent a funeral urn and a symbol of immortality. The word urn is derived from the Latin Uro meaning "to burn". Cremation was not as common in the Victorian era. and instead, urns were used as a symbol of mourning. Urns with willow branches carved around them were popular on gravestones in New England.
So next time you wander through an old cemetery, take a closer look at the symbols etched in stone. Each angel, urn, and weeping willow is a glimpse into the beliefs and hopes of the person beneath it and the people who loved them.
Cemetery iconography is like a language—one that, once you start to learn, reveals secrets that have been waiting patiently for centuries. And who knows? Maybe the next time you see a dove or scroll you’ll feel a little closer to the lives that came before us, understanding that even in death, we leave marks and stories to be told.
Book Rec's
The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Signs and Symbols by Adele Nozedar
The Element Encyclopedia of Secret Societies by John Michael Greer
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