Gravestone Designs

Gravestone Symbolism
These are a few of many motifs found on gravestones with some of the commonly held interpretations of their symbolism.

*Anchor/Ships*	*Hope or Seafaring profession*
*Angel, Flying* *Angel, Trumpeting* *Angel, Weeping*	*Rebirth; Resurrection.* *Resurrection* *Grief and Mourning*
*Arches*	*Victory in Death*
*Arrows*	*Mortality*
*Bird* *Bird, Flying*	*Eternal life* *Resurrection*
*Book*	*Representation of a holy book*
*A pair of Holy Books*	*on Mormom (LDS) headstones indicates the Bibleand Book of Mormon*
*Three Holy Books*	*on Mormom headstones indicates the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine & Covenants -- all of which are scripture to the LDS Church.*
*Bouquets/Flowers*	*Condolences, grief, sorrow*
*Broken Column*	*Loss of Head of Family*
*Broken Ring*	*Family Circle Severed*
*Buds/Rosebud*	*Morning of Life or Renewal of Life*
*Bugles*	*Resurrection and the Military*
*Butterfly*	*Short-lived; Early Death*
*Candle being Snuffed*	*Time, mortality*
*Cherub*	*Angelic*
*Clouds*	*atmospheric veil which conceals God from his worshipers*
*Coffin*	*Mortality; signified the passing away of the flesh, used for its entombment and the ultimate triumph of death*
*Columns and Doors*	*Heavenly entrance*
*Corn*	*Ripe Old Age*
*Cross*	*Emblem of Faith*
*Crossed Swords*	*High-ranking military person*
*Crown*	*honors glorified souls and angels, or points to the triumph of death, when it caps a winged skill*
*Cup or Chalice*	*The Sacraments*
*Darts*	*Mortality*
*Dove* *Dove, Flying*	*Innocence, Gentleness, Affection, Purity* *Resurrection*
*Drapes*	*Mourning; Mortality*
*Father Time*	*Mortality*
*Flame or Light*	*Life; Resurrection*
*Flower* *Flower, Severed Stem*	*Fragility of life* *Shortened life*
*Flying Birds*	*Flight of the Soul*
*Fruits*	*Eternal plenty*
*Full-Blown Rose*	*Prime of Life*
*Garlands*	*Victory in death*
*Hand, Pointing Up* *Hands, Clapsed*	*Pathway to heaven; Heavenly reward* *The goodbyes said at death*
*Hand of God Chopping*	*Sudden Death*
*Handshakes*	*Farewell*
*Harp*	*Praise to the Maker*
*Hearts*	*Soul in Bliss or Love of Christ*
*Horns*	*The Resurrection*
*Hourglass* *Hourglass, Flying*	*Passing of time* *Time flies*
*Hourglass w/Wings of Time*	*Time Flying; Short Life*
*Imps*	*Mortality*
*Ivy*	*Friendship and Immortality*
*Lamb*	*Innocence*
*Laurel*	*Fame or Victory*
*Lily or Lily of Valley*	*Emblem of Innocence and Purity*
*Lion*	*Courage; The Lion of Judah*
*Morning Glory*	*Beginning of Life*
*Oak Leaves & Acorn*	*Maturity, Ripe Old Age*
*Open Book/Bible*	*Deceased Teacher, Minister, etc.*
*Palm Branch*	*Signifies Victory and Rejoicing*
*Picks/Shovels*	*Mortality*
*Poppy*	*Sleep*
*Portals*	*Passageway to eternal journey*
*Rod or Staff*	*Comfort for the bereaved.*
*Rooster*	*Awakening; Resurrection*
*Roses*	*Brevity of earthly existence*
*Scythe*	*Death; The divine harvest*
*Seashell*	*Resurrection; Life everlasting; Life's pilgrimage*
*Sheaf of Wheat*	*Ripe for Harvest, Divine Harvest, Time*
*Shells*	*Pilgrimage of Life*
*Skull* *Skull/ Crossed Bones* *Skeleton*	*Mortality* *Death* *Life's brevity*
*Snake (Tail in Mouth)*	*Everlasting life in heaven*
*Spade*	*Mortality; Death*
*Sun Rising* *Sun Shining* *Sun Setting*	*Renewed life* *Life everlasting* *Death*
*Star*	*guidance for the soul*
*Stars & Stripes Around eagle*	*Eternal Vigilance, Liberty*
*Thistles*	*Remembrance; Scottish descent*
*Tombs*	*Mortality*
*Tree* *Tree Sprouting* *Severed Branch* *Tree Stump* *Tree Trunk* *Tree Trunk Leaning*	*Life* *Life everlasting* *Mortality* *Life interrupted* *Brevity of life* *Short interrupted life*
*Trumpeters*	*Heralds of the Resurrection*
*Torch Inverted*	*Life Extinct*
*Tree Stump w/Ivy*	*Head of Family; Immortality*
*Urn with Blaze*	*Undying Friendship*
*Urn with /Wreath or Crepe*	*Mourning*
*Wheat Strands or Sheaves*	*The divine harvest*
*Weeping Willow*	*Emblem of Sorrow*
*Willows*	*Earthly Sorrow*
*Winged Effigies*	*Flight of the Soul*
*Wreath* *Wreath on Skull*	*Victory* *Victory of death over life*