Hi folks, I thought some of you might find this interesting: American tombstone Art and some of there Symbols Meanings The art work and symbols on tombstones may reveal such information as age, sex, religious background, occupation, and memberships in organizations. There are five Categories of Symbols: 1. A recognition of the flight of time 2. The certainty of death and warnings to the living 3. The occupation of the deceased or station in life 4. The Christian Life 5. The resurrection of the body and the activities of the redeemed soul The following is a list of symbols one might see on a headstone and what they represent. 1. Winged death head - mortal remains of the deceased 2. Skull and crossbones- mortal remains of the deceased 3. Hourglass- flight of time 4. Soul effigy- the immortal soul 5. Skeleton-death 6. Urn-death of the flesh 7. Willow-mourning and earthly sorrow 8. Heart- Soul in bliss(colonial) and romantic love(Victorian-present) 9. Rose- motherhood and beauty 10. Archways, pillars and gates- passageway into the next life 11. Hands and fingers- and there meanings 12. Forefinger pointing up-soul has gone to heaven 13. Forefinger pointing down- God reaching down for the soul 14. Handshake- God's welcome into heaven or matrimony 15. Book-Bible or the book of life 16. Palm leaves and lilies-resurrection 17. Angels-God's messengers and guardians 18. Doves-Holy Spirit 19. Lambs-purity, gentleness, and innocence(some times found on a child's grave) 20. Broken tree stump or Pillar- life cut short 21. Completed pillar or column- a complete and full life 22. Half Carved, half uncarved- transition from life to death 23. Tree stumps- usually Woodmen of the World members These are just a few of the symbols and meanings. I hope the members find them interesting and informative. I hope they may give a clue to there ancestors beliefs and What type of life they lead. Susan Szewczyk Mainfamilies Listowner [email protected] ________________________________________________________________ GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO! Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less! Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit: http://dl.www.juno.com/get/tagj.