Wiccan Road To Ghosts -

Language Of The Stone

Messages from the Stones
Cemeteries are filled with messages from the grave. Some are heard or not heard, depending on whether or not you are carrying a tape recorder and ready to listen for hours to the results and other messages are visual and come from the graves themselves.
They come in the form of symbols and these are a list of just a few. The next time you visit as cemetery, see how well the symbols communicate with you. Some times the symbols or the tombstone will tell you how the “rester” met his eternal rest or sometimes something far more mystical.

In the early days, tombstones in Europe were scary, carved with strange and frightening sights of skeletons or angels of death used to scare the living into living the good life for fear of death.
Over time, they became memorials with its art used by family members to indicate their love for there “dearly departed”.
Families tell of their loss with spilled flowerpots, inverted torches, broken columns and broken urns and first used, these tombstones were believed to keep the dead form coming out of their graves. In time they converted to memorials for those buried underneath.

Acacia- Plant- immortality of soul

Acanthus- Plant- heavenly garden. One of the oldest cemetery motifs, acanthus is associated with the rocky ground where most ancient Greek cemeteries were placed. It is the most common motif found on memorials.

AE- Age

Anchor- Early Christians devised clever signs so that they could guide one another to the secret places where they worshipped. The anchor is a disguised cross when you see it in a Christian setting. Seen often in te 18th and 19h century representing one who has ties with the sea. When wapped with vines, it represents deep “spiritual ties”. Associates with St. Nicholas, patron saint of seamen and Christian symbol for hope and steadfastness
From its utility, the further meaning of Christ as that which prevents us from drifting off and becoming lost comes. One rarely sees anchors on inland gravestones, so the presence of the symbol on a tomb may carry all the above religious overtones or it may just mean that the deceased was a sailor. An anchor with a broken chain stands for the cessation of life.

Angel(s)- Creatures made of air or fire according to early Christian pseudepigraphica, or of granite or marble, if a stonecutter makes them. Angels mean spirituality. As agents of God, they guard the tomb, guide the soul, pray for the soul in purgatory, and direct the living visitor to think heavenwards.

Two Angels-, saints of the Catholic Church, can be named as we find them: Michael, who bears a sword, and Gabriel, who toots a horn. Angels shown without one or the other of these artifacts belong to the nameless legions of personal guardian angels and other decorations. Messenger from God.

Angel(s) (With Arms Outstretched)- A plea for mercy.

Angel(s) (Carrying Departed Soul)- As a child in their arms, a guardian embracing the dead.

Angel(s) (Flying)- Rebirth.

Angel(s) (Pointing upwards)- Spirituality.

Angel(s) (Trumpeting)- A companion of the soul ascent to heaven, blowing the trumpet announcing the arrival of the soul

Angels (Gathered Together In The Clouds)- Represents heaven

Angel(s) (Weeping)- Grief or mourning an untimely death.

Animals-Many grave memorials display incised or three-dimensional animals and these have strong symbolic meanings. Often denote the graves of children, eternal life.

Ankh- Egyptian symbol- Combination of the male and female. The cross (the male)- the Oval, (female), Osiris and Isis. Theunion of heaven and earth. “As above, so below”

Arch- Victory of life over death

Arrows- 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.

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.

Bats- Underworld.

Bells- Tolling for the dead.

Bible- connotes a religious lay person or a cleric

Bird- From earliest times, symbol of the soul; child's death

Bird (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

Book- Faith, learning to read and write, a scholar. A prayer or knowledge from memory. 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.

BPOE- Benevolent Protective Order of Elks

Bridal- May signify the grave of a young bride or groom.

Broken Columns- Life cut short

Broken flower- a life terminated, mortality.

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.

Calla lily- Symbolizes marriage.

Candles- Being snuffed out by death's imps.

Candle Flame- Life.

Catacomb- An underground network of chambers with recess for placing the dead.

Cemetery- Place for burying the dead.

Cemetery Monument- Mortality

Chalice- Sacraments.

Chain links- Goodfellow’s organization symbol.

Cheribim- Guardians of a sacred place, servants of God; divine wisdom or justice.

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.

Childern (Sleeping)- Sleep is the tie between life and death; children are purity, artlessness, innocence.

Chrisma- 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.

Cinquefoil- Mmaternal affection, beloved daughter

Circle- Eternity and never-ending existence. Extremely common on grave sites, its usual representation is a cross surrounded by circle.

Circles (Two)- One above the other, represent earth and sky.

Circles (Three)- Interconnected the circles represent the Holy Trinity.

Corbra- Egyptain, messenger of death

Cocks- Fall from grace and resurrection

Coffin- Coffins, skulls, pick-ax and spade-- tools and other objects associated with burial, reminders of our ultimate mortality.

Column (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.

Corn (Garbe)- It was a country custom to send a sheaf torelatives on the death of a farmer. It may be used as an occupational symbol.

Crocus-Youthful gladness

Cross- The ties between all religious beliefs and symbolism have always been strong. To the Christians the greatest symbolic message is in the crucifix. The crucifix or cross can generate many symbolic messages ranging from love, faith and goodness to terror and fear (e.g. the Ku-Klux-Klan’s use of the burning cross). There are many different types of Christian crosses worldwide, but only a handful are common in North America.

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 (Eastern)- Used in Orthodox (Russian/Greek) Christian Religions, this cross upper horizontal shoulder representing the inscription over the head of Jesus. The lower slanting shoulder represents the footrest of the crucified Jesus.

Cross (Fleuree/Gothic)- This flowered cross symbolizes the adult Christian by its more opened flaired out ends
Greek Cross- It has four arms equal in length and is the traditional symbol of Christian faith. The equal length drawings of the cross is pre-Christian, and in paganism, represented the four elements—earth, air, fire and water.

Cross (Ionic)- Similar to the Celtic Cross, it's ends flair outward. The ionic cross signifies everlasting salvation, love and glory. The circle around the crosspiece symbolizes eternity.

Cross (Latin)- One of the oldest symbols of Christianity and the most commonly used form, it is also the simplest in design. In early times, it was called god's mark Latin Cross surrounded by circle or oval- representing eternity or never-ending existence.

Cross (Botonee)- So named because of its modified trefoil (three-lobed) ends, represents the trinity.

Cross (Calvery)- A latin cross standing on three steps or blocks, it signifies faith, hope and love. Love is sometimes replaced by charity.

Cross (Celtic)- The circle around the crosspiece symbolizes eternity. It's origin can be traced to the Celtic cultures of the British Isles. There is a legend of how St. Patrick when preaching to some soon to be converted heathens was shown a sacred standing stone that was marked with a circle that was symbolic of the moon goddess. Patrick made the mark of a Latin cross through the circle and blessed the stone making the first Celtic Cross.

Columbarium- A vault with nitches for urns containing ashes of the dead.

Columns- Heavenly entrances

Columns, with Archway- Heavenly entrance.

Colors- If asked to name the color of death and mourning, Europeans will choose black. Chinese, other Asians, and many other groups will pick white. Black signifies darkness and the absence of light. It also recalls the silence in the middle of the night. White recalls the color of the bones and the paleness of the corpse. The difference is not perfect because Europeans fill their graveyards with white tombstones. White doves also appear as motifs in the European sepulchral arts. Catholics and High-Church Anglicans recognize purple as the color of mourning. Priests wear purple or violet robes at funeral masses for the dead, recalling Christ's passion, crucifixion, and resurrection.

Consort- A husband alive at the time of his wife’s death

Crown- Immortality, righteousness, victory, triumph, resurrection, symbolic of honor 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.

C.S.A.- Confederate States Army- The circle is pre-Christian and its original symbolic meaning adopted by Christianity. It is universally known as the symbol of eternity.

Cypress Tree- Designates hope.

Daffodil- Death of youth, desire, art, grace, beauty, deep regard.

Dead Leaves- Sadness, melancholy.

Death’s Head- With soul effigy over mouth (early New England motif).

Dog- Signifying the loyalty and that the master was worth loving.

Dogwood- Christianity, divine sacrifice, triumph of eternal life, resurrection.

Dolphin- Portrays the idea of resurrection.

Doors- Heavenly entrances.

Doors And Gates- Passage into the afterlife. Heavenly entrance
Dove. 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. Purity, Devotion, Holy Spirit- Soul reaching peace- In Slavic culture, at death the soul turns into a dove- Represents the soul in Visigothic and Roamanesque art. In Romanesque art it representsRomanesque art, it represents souls. In Hinduism, the dove represents the spirit. This bird was sacred to Zeus, to Athena as a symbol of the renewal of life, and to Aphrodite as a symbol of love. To the ancient Egyptians, it signified innocence, and in Islam the dove is the protector of Mohammed In Christianity, the Holy Ghost of the Trinity is often portrayed as a dove. In China it represents longevity and orderliness while in Japan the dove is associated with the war god, Hachiman. In Jewish history the dove was sometimes sacrificed for a mother's purification after childbirth. The dove is sometimes an emblem of Israel.

Dragon- For the Chinese, the dragon is an emblem of Imperial Power, which has brought the universe into its thrall. It also stands for the Universe itself, a chaotic force which none of us can truly master. Europeans rarely depict dragons on their gravestones. When they appear, Saint George rides out to kill them. This symbolizes triumph over sin. And when one triumphs over Sin, one has also won relief from the most stinging qualities of Death: the punishments for our sins.

Drapery Over Anything- Sorrow, mourning

Draped Urn- Sorrow, Mourning.

DSV- Died without children.

DVP- Died In Father’s lifetime(Latin).

D.Y.- Died Young

Eagle- Sggests courage and possibly a military career, symbol for Saint John.

Elict- A widow.

Elks- The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks (BPOE) is a fraternal charitable and service organization with over one million members in the United States. Sometimes you will find community cemetery plots with many burials of Elks members. The headstones will often be decorated with elaborate BPOE symbols.

Epitaph- An inscription on a tombstone or monument in memory of the person buried.

Eye Of God/All-Seeing Eye- The Eye of God or the All-Seeing Eye symbolizes the all-knowing and ever-present God. During the Renaissance period in Europe, it was common to illustrate the Eye of God surrounded by a triangle (the Holy Trinity). The eye within the triangle, surrounded by a circle and radiating rays of light is used to symbolize the holiness of the true God. Divine Wisdom.

Father Time- Old man with a beard.

Fern-

Figs, Pineapples- Prosperity, eternal life.

Flame- Eeternity.

Figs- Prosperity, eternal life.

Fish- Iindicates faith.

Fleur-de-lis-Flame- Passion, Ardor, Mother.

Flower- Frailty of life, impermanence.

Flower (Broken)- A life terminated, mortality.

Forget-Me-Not- Rmembrance.

Footstone- A stone marking the foot of the grave.

Freemason-

Frog- Depicts sin and worldly pleasures, or may represent resurrection.

Fruit- Fertility and abundance.

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. Symbolizes victory.

G.A.R.- Grand Army Of The Republic.

Grapes- Fertility and sacrifice.

Grapes And Leaves- Christian faith.

Greek Keys-

Grim Reaper- Death personified.

Hands- The use of hands in some form is very common on grave memorials. Symbol of leaving.

Hands (Clasped)- At first glance, these hands all seem to be in the same fashion but a number of interesting characteristics stand out. First, most of the hands illustrate the right hand in a grasp with fingers overlapping the other hand while the left hand is open. This could be the depiction of a man holding a woman's hand and indicate marriage or a close bond between individuals, unity and affection even after death. Clasped hands are also symbolic of a farewell or last good-bye. Look at the cuff to distinguish between a man's or woman's hand (woman would have a frilly cuff.) The person who died first holds the other's hand, guiding the spouse to heaven.

Hand Of God (Plucking A Link Of A Chain)- Represents God bringing a soul unto himself.

Hands (Holding A Chain With A Broken Link)- Symbolizes the death of a family member.

Hand(s) (Pointing Downward)- Mortality or sudden death. (Possibly a depiction of a secret Masonic handshake.)

Hand(s) (Pointing Upward)- The reward of the righteous, confirmation of life after death. Heavenly reward, ascension to heaven.

Hands (Praying)- Connote devotion.

Hands (Two Hands Touching At Thumbs)- The hands are making the "Live long and prosper" gesture that Mr. Spock used on Star Trek (Leonard Nimoy is Jewish, and that's where he got it). The Cohen was the priestly caste. They perform a few specific functions in Orthodox Judaism, and have a few unique restrictions: they are not supposed to remarry or touch a dead body, for example. People who are Cohen often have Cohen as their last name, This is the hand gesture made by Cohen
at the end of services in Orthodox synagogues, it's a benediction, and had come to universally represent Cohens.

Harp- Associated with David in the Old Testament; symbol of St. Cecilia, patron saint of musicians. Symbolic of worship in heaven, hope.

Hart (Male Deer)- represented either faithfulness, thirsting for God, or Christ slaying Satan.

Heart- Symbolic of charity and is common on 19th century memorials. It is typically seen on memorials of members of the Independent Order of Odd fellows.

Heart- Love, mortality, love of God, courage and intelligence.

Heart (Bleeding)- Christ's suffering for our sins.

Heart (Encircled With Thorns)- The suffering of Christ.

Heart (Flaming)- Signifies extreme religious fervor

Heart (Pierced By A Sword)- The Virgin Mary, harkening to Simeon's prophecy to Mary at the birth of Christ, "Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul." It can also be used to represent charity.

Hawthorn- Hope, merriness, springtime

Headstone- A memorial stone set at the head of a grave.

Holly- Foresight.

Honeysuckle- Bonds of love, generosity and devoted affection

Horse- Courage or generosity. An attribute of St. George, St. Martin, St. Maurice.

Hourglass- Time's inevitable passing, attribute of death and Father Time, represents the passage of time and the shortness of life.

Hourglass (On its side)- That time has stopped for the deceased.

Hourglass (Winged)- Time's swift flight.

H.S.- Here is buried (Latin).

I.H.S.- Greek spelling of Christ.

Inter- To bury or put a dead body into a grave.

I.O.O.F.- Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Inverted Torch- End of life

Ivy- Memory, immortality, friendship, fidelity, faithfulness, undying affection, eternal life. Because it is an evergreen that clings while climbing, it signifies the need for protection. Since it grows quickly, it also symbolizes regeneration, sensuality and revelry. The Greco-Roman god Dionysus, or Bacchus, had an ivy cup and wore a crown of ivy leaves.

Lalla- beauty, marriage.

Lamb- Purity, Innocence, Gentleness, Sacrifice. In Christianity it represents the sacrificial crucifixion of Christ for the sins of the world. 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.

Laurel Branch-Represents special achievement, distinction, success, triumph of worldly accomplishment, and heroism.

Laurel Leaves- Special achievement, distinction, success, triumph.

Lily- was a royal emblem (the fleur-de-lis is sometimes considered a stylized lily). Primarily the lily has Christian associations, was a royal emblem (the fleur-de-lis is sometimes considered a stylized lily). Primarily the lily has Christian associations, usually attached to the Virgin Mary where it signifies chastity. Often used on women's graves. The use of lilies at funerals symbolizes the restored innocence of the soul at death. When Christ is shown as the judge of the world with a lily in his mouth, the flower represents mercy.

Lily And A Sword- Signifies guilt and innocence.

Lily Of The Valley- Return of happiness, purity, 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.

Lotus- An aquatic plant native to southern Asia and Australia, having large leaves, pinkish flowers, a broad, rounded, perforated seedpod, and fleshy rhizomes. It Symbolizes Purity, Resurrection, Evolution, Potential. The lotus is the emblem of India and Egypt. Commonly used in ancient Egypt and in Hinduism, the flower is sacred in Buddhism. "It symbolizes the creation of life from the slime of the primordial waters. Depending on the number and state of its petals, the lotus' symbolism changes, shaped by the symbolism of the number and state.

Lotus (Closed)- Represents potential.

Lotus (Eight Petals)- Represents cosmic harmony.

Lotus (1000 Petals)- Spiritual revelation.

Lyre- Symbol of harmony and heavenly accord. It represents music and song in praise and honor of God (Greek).

Memorah- Seven branched candlestick- Jewish symbol for divine presence of God. The seven branches of the candlestick represents the seven days for the creation of the world by God.

Morning Glory- Resurrection.

Moss- Merit.

Mulberry- I will not survive you..

Mystic Rose- Mother.

O.E.S.- Order of the Eastern Star.

Oak Tree- Hospitality, stability, strength, honor, 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.

Obelisk-An upright four-sided pillar, gradually tapering as it rises and cut off at the top in the form of a pyramid, symbol for the Egyptian god, Re, who held the power to recreate, hence, God, lord over all, creator.

Obit- Notice of person that died.

Obit Sin Prole- Died without children.

Odd Fellows- My favorite name for a fraternal association is The Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF). The Odd Fellows purchase cemetery plots so you will often see many deceased members of this association buried near each other. Their primary symbol is three chain links joined together. Featured is usually the lodge number. Sometimes the chain links will encircle the letters F, L and T like in the example below. These stand for friendship, love and truth.

Orb-

Order of the Eastern Star- Woman’s part of the Masonic Order.

Owl- Suggests wisdom.

Pall- Mortality

Palm- Signifies Victory and rejoicing. The palm has a variety of sacred and secular associations. In the Cabbala, it symbolizes the righteous man (tzaddik) and was an emblem of Judea after the Exodus. One of the four plants paraded on the Sukkot to celebrate God's bounty, it represents the Jew who studies the Torah but does not obey the commandments. Other interpretations include the spine that bends before God, and God. In Christianity, it signifies righteousness, resurrection, and martyrdom based on Christ's entry into Jerusalem where palm branches were laid in his path. In the Middle Ages, a palm leaf was a badge of pilgrimage to the Holy Land and people wearing it were called 'palmers.'
Because of its height and radiating leaves, it was an early fertility and sun symbol. The Babylonians considered it a divine tree because of its association with the sun. In many early Middle Eastern civilizations the palm was a Tree of Life; the Phoenician god Baal-Tamar was the lord of the palm and the palm was the emblem of the goddesses Astarte and Ishtar. In ancient Rome, victors were presented with palm branches andthe palm took on victory as its meaning in ancient Rome, Egypt and Greece. The palm has also signified fame and peace. In contemporary, secular culture it represents tropical delights.

Passion Fower- 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

Pansy- symbolizes remembrance and humility.

Peacock- symbolized the incorruptibility of flesh, resurrection, beauty of soul, immortality

Pentagram Star- Five-pointed This star is drawn with one stroke of the pen. Its exact origin is unknown, and its meaning has changed throughout the ages. The pre-Christian Celtic priests called it the witch's foot. It is also called Solomon's Seal and was known in the Middle Ages as the goblin's cross. Today the symbol is a favorite among graffiti artists and so-called demonology practitioners. Like the pentagon, it is believed to have protective powers against evil. In Wicca beliefs, it represents protection against demons and a symbol of safety. The ancient Babylonians used the symbol as a magic charm. The five-pointed pentagram star represents the five senses. To the Jews, it represents the five mosaic books. This symbol has also been adopted by Masonic organizations (e.g., the Eastern Star).

Pentagram- This is a five-pointed, star-shaped figure made by extending the sides of a regular pentagon until they meet. This figure pre-dates Christianity and was first known to be used by Pythagoras, the Greek philosopher. Later in the Middle Ages, the pentagram was used by magicians and sorcerers. It was believed that the pentagram offered protection against evil. Christianity adopted the figure and the symbolism to suggest the five wounds suffered by Christ on the cross. It is interesting to note that the pentagram is used by both Christianity and Wicca (witchcraft).

Phoenix- Symbolized the incorruptibility of flesh, resurrection, beauty of soul, immortality

Pick- Mortality

Pine- fertility, regeneration, fidelity

Pineapple- hospitality, good host

Pitcher- Jewish symbol- Traditional symbolism for Levites would have been the pitcher or ewer, representative of washing the hands of the High Priests.

Plants-Flowers convey love, grief, happiness and other emotions. These symbolic connections of flowers with emotion are cross-cultural and their origins are unknown. During the 1800s, the use of floral symbolism became so popular that almost every flower known had a symbolic gesture attached to it. The following are some symbolic references to common plants and flowers:

Plat/Plot- A small piece of ground

Poppy- peace, rest, sleep, eternal sleep, consolation

Potter’s Field- A place where unknown persons are buried.

Pyramid- Eternity. It was supposed that a pyramid-shaped tombstone prevented the devil from reclining on a grave.

Rod Or Staff- Comfort.

Rooster- Awakening, the Resurrection.

Rose- Completion, achievement,perfection. Meanings vary depending on the color, shape and number of petals. For example, the blue rose symbolizes the impossible, the golden rose the pinnacle of achievement, an eight petal rose regeneration. Scales Justice, Balance. Originating in Chaldea as the mystic symbol of justice, it represents the equivalence of guilt and punishment. From the zodiacal archetype of Libra it represents immanent justice, the idea that guilt automatically unleashes the forces that bring self-destruction and punishment (Cirlot p. 279
Without thorns-- love, beauty, hope, unfailing love, associated with the Virgin Mary, the "rose without thorns." 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.

Rose (Partial bloom)- Normally a teenager

Rose (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 (Joined)- Strong bond between two people (e.g., mother and child who died at the same time.

Rosebuds (More Than One On Same Branch)- Secrecy.

Rosette- the Lord, messianic hope, promise, love.

Rose Wreath- Beauty and virtue rewarded.

Sarcophagas- A stone coffin, often ornamental.

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.

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 honor and commemoration.

Scythe- Death, the divine harvest.

Sepulcher- A place of burial

Serpent- Shown swallowing its own tail it represents Eternity.

Sextant- Symbol of a navigator or explorer

Shamrock- Ireland as country of origin

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.

Shriner- Symbol.

Ship- The Grave of a Seafarer.

Sickle- Death as the "last harvest"

Skeleton- Mortality

Skull- Mortality

Spade- Mortality

Square- Represents the earth and earthly existence. Some monuments have a cube or square inverted to point the corners downward and upward. This illustrates earthly existence and the directions of earth and heaven.

Squirrel With A Nut- Religious meditation or spiritual striving.

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.

Star (Five-Pointed)- Symbolic of the life of Christ and may also represent the five wounds of Christ.

Star (Six-Pointed)- Star of David, also known as Magen David (Hebrew for shield of David), it is typically used as a symbol of Judaism. The star is actually made of two triangles. It signifies divine protection as epitomized by the alchemistic signs for fire and water which are an upward and downward apexed triangle. The star is a very ancient symbol, used by several Asia Minor cultures, as well as some Greek city states. For Judaism, the Star of David came into widespread use at the beginning of the 20th century. Theodore Hertzel, a Jewish activist, adopted the symbol in his writings promoting Palestine as a Jewish homeland.

Sun Setting- Death

Sun Shining/Rising- Renewed life

Swallow- Indicates a child or motherhood

Swastika- Exact origin is unknown but it is considered one of the oldest and widespread symbols used. Commonly found on Buddhist memorials, it represents the seal of the Buddha’s heart; the doctrine of Buddha; the round of existence. To the Chinese, the swastika had two forms symbolizing the male and female; clockwise and anti-clockwise. Also used by the Romans and later by the Nazi party in Germany during the Second World War.

Sword- A military career

Swords Crossed- Indicates Death in Battle.

Thistle- Earthly sorrow, Christ's crown of thorns, Scotland as country of origin

Torch (Lit or upright)- Life.

Torch (Inverted Or Extinguished)- Death.

Trefoil/Triquetra- In Christianity, the equilateral triangle is the symbol of the Trinity. Other geometric shapes representing the Holy Trinity are the trefoil, the triquetra, the circle within the triangle, the triangle in circle and the triquetra and circle. To the ancient Egyptians, the triangle was an emblem of Godhead; to the Pythagoreans, it symbolized wisdom. Another use of the triangle is in the symbol of the eye (eye of God) surrounded by a triangle.

Triangle- In Christianity, the equilateral triangle is the symbol of the Trinity. Other geometric shapes representing the Holy Trinity are the trefoil, the triquetra, the circle within the triangle, the triangle in circle and the triquetra and circle. To the ancient Egyptians, the triangle was an emblem of Godhead; to the Pythagoreans, it symbolized wisdom. Another use of the triangle is in the symbol of the eye (eye of God) surrounded by a triangle.
The Eye of God surrounded by a triangle and a circle- symbolic of the eternity of the Holy Trinity.

Tree- The all-covering love of Christ. The Tree of Life.
Severed branch- Mortality

Tree (Sprouting)- Life Everlasting.

Triquetra- In Christianity, the equilateral triangle is the symbol of the Trinity. Other geometric shapes representing the Holy Trinity are the trefoil, the triquetra, the circle within the triangle, the triangle in circle and the triquetra and circle. To the ancient Egyptians, the triangle was an emblem of Godhead; to the Pythagoreans, it symbolized wisdom. Another use of the triangle is in the symbol of the eye (eye of God) surrounded by a triangle.

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. An Urn is sometimes shown with a flame coming from the Urn.They are often draped with a cloth or festooned with a wreath or garland. This fashion of Urn's 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.

V.F. W.- Veterans of Foreign Wars

Vine- The sacraments

Weeping Willow- Nature's lament, a symbol of sorrow and mourning.

Wheat- Resurrection, bread and wine (Christian), fertility

Wheat (Bushel)- Body of Christ

Wheat (Sheaves)- The Divine Harvest, Often represents the aged.

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- Symbolized the Holy Spirit.

Winged Woman (Pointing Upward Sometime with Bible)- Faith.

Winged Woman (Hanging On Cross)- Faith, Life.

Wreath- 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.

Wreath (Laurel)- Usually associated with someone who has attained distinction in the arts, literature, athletics or the military.

Wreath (Ivy)- Symbolic of Conviviality (Gaiety or Joviality).

Wreath (With Festoon)- Together theysymbolize memory. Ancient symbol of victory. memory, passed to eternal

Wreath- Victory in Death.

Yew Tree- Sadness, Eternal Life.