Thought this might be useful. Sally
Symbolism of Tombstone Art
ANCHOR = Hope
BATS = DEATH; evil of the world
BLUEBELL = Consrancy; sorrowful regret
CALLA LILY = Sympathy; zeal
CHERUBIM = (winged) - Change to be happy, more innocent being; protection
CHERUBIM = (winged, crowned with laurel) = Victory
COLUMBINE = Gentleness
CROSS = Christianity; death; resurrection
CROSSBONES = Immortality; death
CROWN OF ROSES/GARLAND = Reward of virtue.
DAISY = Innocence; hope
DEATH (winged, crowned with laurel) = Victory
DOVE = Peace; the Holy Ghost
FALLEN ROSEBUD = Death of a very young person in flower of youth
FESTOON (carved/molded ornament representing a garland or wreath of
flowers,fruits or leaves, wound with ribbon, and hanging in a natural curve)
= Memory
FRUIT AND VINE = Personality of Jesus Christ
GARLAND/CROWN OF ROSES =Reward of virtue
GRAPEVINE = Religious truths and mysteries; Christ and his followers
HAND = (index finger pointing upward ) = Going home; going to god
HOURGLASS = Passage of time
I. H. S. = Contraction of Greek name of Jesus
INITALS = Respect; well-known in Community
I. N. R. I. = Latin Abbreviation of Jesus of Nazareth,King of the Jews
Ivy = Faithfulness; fidelity; memory
LAMB = Innocence; meekness; modesty
LAMP = Truth; word of god
LAUREL = Glory; Triumph
LILY = Resurrection; purity; innocence
MORNING GLORY = Bonds of love and affection
OAK LEAF/ OAK BRANCH = Courage; strength; endurance
OLIVE BRANCH = Peace
PALM = Victory; spiritual victory; joy; supremacy; sucess; righteousness
PANSY = Emblem; of heartsease and thoughts
PASSION FLOWER = (Parts of flower appear to resemble Jesus' wounds and crown
of thorns.) =Redemption; the crucifixion
PINE CONE/PINE BRANCHES = Life; fecundity; friendship; fidelity; pity
POPPY = Sleep; death; consolation
ROSE = Unfalling love; wisdom; beauty; simplicity
ROPE = Eternity
SERPENT = (With tail in mouth) Eternity; immortality
SHELL = Resurrection; also pilgrimage
STAR = Birth; beginning of life
SWORD = Occupation
TORCH = (Upright) = Eternal life (inverted) = Death
THISTLE = Independence; austerity
TRIANGLE = Departure; the Supreme Being (three interlaced ) = The Trinity
URN = Destiny; purity; life
VIOLET = Modesty; faithfulness
WEEPING WILLOW = Extreme sadness (with laver) = relief from sadness through
washing away of sins.
WILD ROSE = Love; simplicity
WREATH = Memory
WREATH OF OAK = Strength
WREATH OF LAUREL = Reward; didtinction in literature
WREATH OF OLIVE = Peace
X. P. = The Christ
Patricia