Meanings of Carvings Found on Tombstones: Arches -- Victory in Death Arrows -- Mortality Bouquets/Flowers -- Condolences, grief, sorrow Buds/Rosebud -- Morning of Life or Renewal of Life Roses -- Brevity of earthly existence Portals -- Passageway to eternal journey Bugles -- Resurrection and the Military Crossed Swords -- High-ranking military person Flying Birds -- Flight of the Soul Fruits -- Eternal plenty Garlands -- Victory in death Imps -- Mortality Shells -- Pilgrimage of Life Thistles -- Remembrance Tombs -- Mortality Trees -- Life Trumpeters -- Heralds of the Resurrection Willows -- Earthly Sorrow Morning Glory -- Beginning of Life Butterfly -- Short-lived - Early Death Full-Blown Rose -- Prime of Life Palm Branch -- Signifies Victory and Rejoicing Ivy -- Friendship and Immortality Laurel ---Fame or Victory Oak Leaves and Acorn -- Maturity, Ripe Old Age Weeping Willow -- Emblem of Sorrow Corn -- Ripe Old Age Sheaf of Wheat -- Ripe for Harvest, Divine Harvest, Time Poppy -- Sleep Lamb -- Innocence Dove -- Innocence, Gentleness, Affection, Purity Cherub -- Angelic Cross -- Emblem of Faith Anchor/Ships -- Hope or Seafaring profession Broken Ring -- Family Circle Severed Broken Column -- Loss of Head of Family Torch Inverted -- Life Extinct Urn with Blaze -- Undying Friendship Harp -- Praise to the Maker Handshakes -- Farewell Hearts -- Soul in Bliss or Love of Christ Horns -- The Resurrection Hourglass -- Swiftness of Time Open Book/ Bible -- Deceased Teacher, Minister, etc. Lily or Lily of Valley -- Emblem of Innocence and Purity Tree Stump w/Ivy -- Head of Family - Immortality Urn with /Wreath or Crepe -- Mourning Stars and Stripes Around Eagle -- Eternal Vigilance, Liberty Hourglass w/Wings of Time -- Time Flying/Short Life Candle being Snuffed -- Time, mortality Coffin, Father Time, Picks/Shovels, Darts -- Mortality Hand of God Chopping -- Sudden Death Winged Effigies--- Flight of the Soul