An A-Z Guide to Common Cemetery Icons
Hands-Holding
This symbol is common among married couples; indicating marriage, or farewell (Reid).
Hands-Praying
Also a common Christian symbol; the symbol indicates prayers and hopes for attaining life after death.
Hand-Shaking
This symbol differs from the marriage symbol, in that the sleeves denote male and female in the latter. This symbol suggests loyalty and friendship even after death (Reid).
Horse
This symbol may simply denote the deceased's love of horses however, to some that may mean a reference to Saints Martin, Maurice, and Victor, all signifying horseback riding (Anon).
Hourglass
An hourglass, depicted without wings, is a symbol of passing time or Father Time (Anon).
The Hummingbird
This icon may be depicting the deceased's affinity for hummingbirds. Yet, viewed as an animal totem, this bird represents the wisdom, joy, and happiness (Evridge).
IHS
There seems to be a bit of confusion regarding the symbol: Some view it as the Greek symbol for Jesus, Savior of Men and thus sometimes it is viewed as "in hoc salus" which literally means" there is safety in this" (Weeden).
Lilies
A Lilly is representative of purity and resurrection (kewebshop).
Leaves (Ivy)
Ivy signifies regeneration, immortality, friendship, and faithfulness (Leimer).
Masonic Symbols
One common Masonic symbol that looks like a pentagram with various symbols, is the icon associated with The Order of the Eastern Star. Another common symbol is that of a compass and square and is the symbol for masons, and stand for faith and reason. The "G" located in the middle of the Masonic symbol stands for God (Hawkins).
Pine Cones
This icon suggests a full, long life with children (Hawkins).
The Rose
The Rose signifies completion, perfection, and achievement. And eight-pedaled rose signifies regeneration (Leimer).
The Ship
The ship may be an icon that suggests the deceased's fascination with such. It also indicates the Christian faith and that the ship of faith can carry you through the world (Anon).
The Star
This icon suggests the spirit. For someone of pagan beliefs, it may suggest the four cardinal directions and Akasha; the symbol of all the elements but and the spirit (Hawkins). As a Christian insignia, it comes to mean the tale of the birth of Christ.
The Sunset
The Sunset represents death, rebirth, and the promise of everlasting life.
Wheat
The wheat icon suggests time and the divine harvest. It also suggests that we "reap what we sow" and that we will return to the divine harvester (Weeden).
The Willow Tree
The Willow Tree is German origin, and represents sorrow: especially
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