Gravestone Art: Stories Fixed in Stone

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Oct 15, 2005

Please bear in mind that the examples set forth are merely a few insignias, as it is equally important to understand that funerary icons take on different meanings in relation to societal influences, religious principles, in addition to, personal and familial beliefs and feelings. The icon of a ship is an excellent example. A ship may suggest a seafaring profession, but it can also indicate a fascination with ships or the Christian belief that religion "is a ship that can carry you through your everyday toils into the afterlife (Anon3)."

As you review the list of insignias, consider the stories being told by the deceased: they are meant as a source of remembrance. When viewing headstones, consider that the act of narrating from the afterlife is at an attempt at achieving immortality. Thus, once you are familiar with the common funerary symbols, you can visit some of your local cemeteries and listen to the dead speak.

A-Z Glossary of Common Cemetery Icons: http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/1987...

Works Cited

Anon. "The Symbols: The Anchor." Tomb with a View. World Wide Web. 2003. < http://members.aol.com/TombView/symbol2.html>. 22 Nov 2003.

Anon. "The Symbols: The Ankh." Tomb with a View. World Wide Web. 2003. < http://members.aol.com/TombView/symbol2.html>. 22 Nov 2003.

Anon."The Symbols: The Book." Tomb with a View. World Wide Web. 2003. . 22 Nov 2003.

Anon. "The Symbols: The Moon." Tomb with a View. World Wide Web. 2003. . 22 Nov 2003.

Anon. "Gravestone Symbols: Cross." Callaway County, Missouri Journal. World Wide Web.27 Feb 2002. .22Nov 2003.

Anon, "Tombstone and Art Symbols: Dove." An Excerpt from the Sexton Book of Tales. World Wide Web. . 23 Nov 2003.

Anon, "Tombstone and Art Symbols: Horse." An Excerpt from the Sexton Book of Tales. World Wide Web. . 23 Nov 2003.

Anon, "Tombstone and Art Symbols: Hourglass." An Excerpt from the Sexton Book of Tales. World Wide Web. . 23 Nov 2003.

Anon, "Tombstone and Art Symbols: Ship." An Excerpt from the Sexton Book of Tales. World Wide Web. . 23 Nov 2003.

Anon, "Tombstone and Art Symbols: Willow." An Excerpt from the Sexton Book of Tales. World Wide Web. . 23 Nov 2003.

Baym, Nina. "William Cullen Byrant, Thanatopsis." The Norton Anthology of American Literature: Volume A. 6e. Ed. Nina Baym. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. 2003. 1073.

El Dorado County., "Benjamin Franklin quotation." Pioneer's Cemetery Commission. World Wide Web. 13 Oct 2003. < http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ca/county/eldorado1/>.23 Nov 2003.

Evridge, Judy, L., "Hummingbirds." A Hummingbird as a Guardian Spirit? Suite 101. 1999. World Wide Web. < www.suite101.com/article.cfm/4660/25081>. 23 Nov 2003.