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OLD TOMBSTONE CARVINGS:
The term "Relict" on a tombstone means that the woman was a widow at time of death,
consort means that her husband survived her.
"Cenotaph" engraved on a tombstone indicates an empty grave, with the
stone erected in honor or memory of a person buried elsewhere - often erected in honor of a person lost at sea.
The
words G.A.R. (with a flying flag) on a tombstone means Grand Army of the Republic. It was a political organization of Civil
War Union Army Soldiers. They held annual encampments and had various decorations to wear.
V.D.M. on Tombstone - verbi
Dei minister - Minister of the Word of God
W.O.W stands for "Woodmen of the World" the upright tree stump markers are
typical of the type of grave stone used by the fraternity.
MEANINGS OF CARVINGS ON HEADSTONES:
Anchors and Ships--- Hope or Seafaring profession
Arches--- Victory in Death
Arrows---
Mortality
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
Hand of God Chopping--- Sudden death
Cherub--- Angelic
Corn---
Ripe old age
Cross--- Emblem of faith
Crossed Swords--- High-ranking military person
Darts-- Mortality
Doves---
The Soul, purity, innocence, affection, gentleness
Father Time--- Mortality, The Grim Reaper
Flowers--- Brevity of
early existence, sorrow
Flying Birds--- Flight of the soul
Fruits --- Eternal plenty
Full-Blown Rose--- Prime of
life
Garlands --- Victory in death
Imps--- Mortality
Hands of God Chopping--- Sudden Death
Handshakes--- Farewell
to earthly existence
Harp--- Praise to the Maker
Hearts--- Soul in bliss or love of Christ
Horns--- The Resurrection
Hourglass---
Swiftness of time
Hourglass w/Wings of Time--- Time flying; short life
Ivy--- Friendship and immortality
Lamb---
Innocence
Laurel--- Fame or victory
Lily or Lily of Valley--- Emblem of innocence and purity
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 and Shovels--- Mortality
Poppy--- Sleep
Portals--- Passageway to
eternal journey
Roses--- Brevity of earthly existence
Sheaf of Wheat--- Ripe for harvest, divine harvest time
Shells---
Pilgrimage of life
Stars & Stripes Around Eagle--- Eternal vigilance, liberty
Suns--- The Resurrection
Thistles---
Remembrance
Tombs--- Mortality
Torch Inverted--- Life extinct
Trees--- Life
Tree Stump w/Ivy--- Head of family;
immortality
Trumpeters--- Heralds of the resurrection
Urn with Blaze --- Undying friendship
Urn with /wreath or crepe---
mourning
Weeping Willow--- Emblem of sorrow
Willows--- Eternal sorrow
Winged Effigies--- Flight of the soul
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