Memorial Symbolism

Religious and Spiritual Symbols

Alpha and Omega (ΑΩ): The first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, representing God’s eternal nature, the beginning and the end, and Christ’s omnipresence

Anchor: Hope, steadfastness, and security in faith. Also, a subtle Christian symbol (disguised cross) or a direct reference to a seaman.

Angel:

  • Weeping Angel: Grief, sorrow, mourning for the deceased
  • Angel in Flight/Ascending Angel: The soul ascending to heaven, resurrection
  • Trumpeting Angel: The call to resurrection or judgment day, divine announcement
  • Guardian Angel: Protection, guidance, watching over the deceased
  • Cherub/Baby Angel: Innocence, purity, commonly on children’s graves

Bible/Book: The Divine Word, wisdom, knowledge, a scholar, a life dedicated to faith. An open book can signify a life story still unfolding (for early deaths) or a life fully lived and openly read. A closed book means the life story is complete

Candle/Candle Flame: Life, the spirit, the soul. A snuffed or broken candle signifies loss of life or a life cut short. An upright burning candle represents eternal life or the enduring spirit

Chalice: The Eucharist, Holy Communion, often on the gravestones of priests or devout Catholics

Cross (Various Forms): The most universal Christian symbol, representing faith, sacrifice, and resurrection

  • Latin Cross: The most common form, symbolizing Christianity
  • Celtic Cross: Cross within a circle, symbolizing eternity and everlasting life, often with intricate knotwork; denotes Irish or British Isles heritage
  • Calvary Cross (Latin cross on three steps): Represents faith, hope, and charity (love), or the hill of Golgotha
  • Botonee Cross (Budded Cross): Trefoil (three-lobed) ends representing the Trinity
  • Fleuree/Gothic Cross: Flared ends, representing the adult Christian, or royalty
  • Ankh (Egyptian Cross): Ancient Egyptian symbol of life, adapted by Coptic Christians for everlasting life
  • Jerusalem Cross (Crusader’s Cross): Five crosses, symbolizing Christ and the four Evangelists, or the five wounds of Christ
  • Cross with Crown: Victory over death through Christ
  • Cross with Rosary: Devout Catholic, prayer, devotion to the Virgin Mary

Crown: Glory, triumph, eternal reward, victory over death, righteousness. A crown of thorns signifies Christ’s suffering

Chi Rho (XP): Monogram for Christ’s name in Greek, symbolizing Christ and resurrection

Clouds: The divine abode, Heaven, the veil between worlds, spiritual ascent

Column/Pillar:

  • Broken Column/Pillar: A life cut short, often signifying the death of a family head or someone in the prime of life
  • Unbroken Column/Pillar: A complete and full life, strength, stability, noble life
  • Column with Urn: A funerary sign, representing the soul and the body’s return to dust

Dove: Peace, purity, love, innocence (especially on children’s graves), resurrection, or the Holy Spirit. A dove in flight signifies the soul ascending to Heaven. An olive branch in a dove’s mouth symbolizes peace and forgiveness (from Noah’s Ark)

Eye (All-Seeing Eye/Eye of Providence): God’s omnipresence, watchful care, divine guidance, or the Trinity. Often enclosed in a triangle and surrounded by rays of light. (Also a common Masonic symbol)

Fish (Ichthys): A traditional Christian symbol for spiritual nourishment, faith, or simply that the deceased was a Christian

Fleur-de-lis: Purity, royalty, often associated with the Virgin Mary or the Trinity

Grapes and Vine: Christ and his followers, the Church, unity, the blood of Christ, resurrection

Harp: Heavenly music, praise to God, hope of heaven, spiritual harmony. Sometimes indicates Irish heritage

IHS/JHS: Abbreviation for “Iesus Hominum Salvator” (Jesus, Savior of Mankind) or the first three letters of Christ’s name in Greek (iota-eta-sigma)

Lamb: Innocence, gentleness, purity, most commonly used on the gravestones of infants or children. Associated with the “Lamb of God” (Jesus). A sleeping lamb signifies peace and innocence.

Ladder: The scale of perfection, ascent to heaven, spiritual progress

Lily: Purity, innocence, chastity, resurrection

  • Calla Lily: Marriage, fidelity, purity, resurrection
  • Lily of the Valley: Innocence, humility, sweetness

Menorah: Seven-branched candlestick, a Jewish symbol for the divine presence of God

Open Gates/Archway: Passage into the next life, the deceased’s soul entering Heaven, a triumphant entry into Heaven

Palm Branch/Frond: Victory over death, triumph, divine blessing, eternal life, or martyrdom

Phoenix: Resurrection, eternal life, triumph of life over death, renewal

Praying Hands: Prayer, devotion, submission, and obedience to God, faith, a life of piety

Pyramid: Eternity, resurrection, spiritual attainment (especially popular in the 1880s-1930s)

Rainbow: Union, fulfillment of the promise of resurrection, a bridge between heaven and earth

Rose: Love, beauty, virtue, purity, and the fragility of life

  • Rosebud: A child or youth whose life was cut short (life not fully bloomed)
  • Partial Bloom: A teenager
  • Full Bloom: An adult, often in their early to mid-twenties
  • Broken Rose/Stem: A life cut short
  • Intertwined Roses: A strong bond between two people, e.g., spouses or mother and child who died simultaneously
  • Wreath of Roses: Heavenly joy and bliss, eternal love

Scallop Shell: Pilgrimage, baptism, resurrection, life everlasting

Scroll: The book of life, unfolding life, honor, remembrance, divine decree. If both ends are rolled up, it can mean a life of uncertain length, with past and future hidden.

Serpent (Ouroboros): A serpent swallowing its own tail, symbolizing eternity, cyclic renewal, spiritual striving

Star: Guidance, hope, eternity, immortality, spiritual light

  • Star of David (Magen David): The most recognized symbol of Judaism, divine protection
  • Five-Pointed Star: Can represent the life of Christ, the five wounds of Christ, or spiritual light rising to heaven, or a single person
  • Six-Pointed Star (Other than Star of David): Divine creation, balance
  • Seven-Pointed Star: Perfection, God’s completeness
  • Morning Star: Hope, the advent of Christ, the resurrection

Sun (Rising): Renewed life, resurrection, hope, the dawn of a new day

Sun (Setting/Setting behind clouds): Death, the end of earthly life

Thistle: Sorrow, remembrance, earthly pain, or Scottish ancestry

Torch (Upright/Lit): Life, eternal life, enlightenment, the enduring spirit

Torch (Inverted/Extinguished but still burning): Death, but with the hope of life after death, or a life extinguished too soon

Tree: Life, knowledge, human frailty, eternal life

  • Tree Stump: A life interrupted or cut short (often for someone who died young). Also a symbol for Woodmen of the World members.
  • Weeping Willow: Mourning, sorrow, grief, remembrance, everlasting life
  • Oak Tree/Leaves: Strength, endurance, faith, virtue, longevity, wisdom
  • Cypress Tree: Hope, sorrow, mourning
  • Evergreen (e.g., Pine, Fir): Eternal life, immortality

Trumpet/Horns: Announcing the resurrection or the day of judgment

Urn: The soul, immortality, penitence, or a general symbol of mourning and the containment of earthly remains. Often draped to signify sorrow.

Wheel: The cycle of life, enlightenment, spiritual power, providence

Human and Life-Related Symbols

Acorn: Potential, strength, prosperity, new life, growth, from small beginnings come great things

Arrow/Quiver: Mortality, martyrdom, a life cut short. A broken arrow signifies a life taken suddenly.

Baby’s Chair/Cradle: An unfulfilled life, a child now gone, often with small shoes, signifying the inability to achieve adulthood

Bell: Religious faith, religion, mourning (toll of a bell), the passage of time

Bird (General): Eternal life, spirituality, Messenger of God, peace. A flying bird can signify rebirth.

  • Cardinal: A beloved one who has passed is visiting, spiritual messenger, hope, renewal, vibrant life
  • Doves (Specific): See above entry under “Religious and Spiritual Symbols”
  • Swallow: Motherhood, the spirit of children, consolation, rebirth, the return of spring
  • Eagle: Courage, strength, immortality, soaring spirit, freedom
  • Robin: Renewal, new beginnings

Butterfly: Resurrection, transformation, a short life, the soul

Chain (Broken): The family circle has been severed by death, or a life cut short.

Cherries/Cherry Tree: Sweetness, love, often associated with childhood or purity

Clock (Stopped): The march of time, usually stopped at the hour of death, or life has ceased

Coffin/Sarcophagus: Mortality, the physical end

Comb (Broken): The head of the family has passed (from “comb of the family” in some traditions)

Cornucopia (Horn of Plenty): Abundance, nourishment, a fruitful life, prosperity, generosity

Door/Gateway: Passage into the afterlife, heavenly entrance

Dolphin: Salvation, bearer of souls to Heaven, portrays resurrection, swiftness

Drapery/Shroud: Sorrow, mourning, the veil between earth and heaven. If a flag, it may signify military service or death in battle.

Drum: Military honor, a call to eternity

Easel: An artist or painter

Feather: Immortality, innocence, faith, lightness, the soul’s flight

Fruit/Fruits: Eternal plenty, the “fruit of life,” good deeds, the harvest of a life well-lived

Garland/Wreath: Victory over death, eternity, remembrance, glory, honor

Grim Reaper/Figure with Dart/Scythe: Mortality, the inevitability of death, the final harvest (associated with Father Time, more common on older stones)

Hair (Braided or Woven): Eternal love, remembrance

Hands:

  • Clasped Hands: Farewell, hope of reunion in eternity, a strong bond (between spouses if sleeves differ), friendship, brotherhood
  • Pointing Upward: The soul’s passage to Heaven, the deceased found heavenly reward
  • Pointing Downward: God reaching down for the soul, or calling the earth to witness, or the end of earthly life
  • Blessing Hand: A blessing from God or the deceased
  • Heart in Hand: Cheerful giving (Odd Fellows symbol)

Heart: Love, devotion, joy, mortality, the center of emotion. A flaming heart signifies extreme religious fervor or passion. A heart with thorns represents Christ’s suffering, victory, and love. Two joined hearts on a stone mark a marriage.

Horse/Horseshoe: Protection, good luck, love of horses, or cavalry service

Hourglass: The swift passage of time, the shortness of life on earth. A winged hourglass signifies the swift flight of time. An hourglass on its side means time has stopped.

Keys: Spiritual knowledge, keys to heaven (St. Peter), a learned person, knowledge of the scriptures, or a master of a trade

Knotwork (Interlacing): Eternity, endless love, spiritual connection (especially Celtic)

Lamp/Lantern: Knowledge, spiritual immortality, enlightenment, guiding light

Labyrinth: The passage of life, a spiritual journey, eternity

Laurel Wreath: Victory over death, distinction in arts, literature, athletics, or military, honor

Lion: Courage, strength, protection of the tomb, resurrection, ferocity

Mirror: Reflection of life, vanity, self-awareness

Moon and Stars: Heavenly home, the never-failing order of nature, the celestial realm

Musical Instruments (e.g., Lyre, Lute): Love of music, heavenly music, sorrow

Owl: Wisdom, nocturnal vigilance

Parchment: Knowledge, learning, or a life story

Pitcher or Ewer: Traditional Jewish symbol on a man’s gravestone, signifying a Levite (responsible for cleaning the hands of Temple Priests, who wash the hands of the Kohanim/Priests)

Pinecone: Immortality, enlightenment, spiritual regeneration

Plumb and Level: Balance, equality, integrity

Rainbow: Hope, new beginnings, the bridge to heaven

Ram’s Horn (Shofar): A Jewish symbol, used in religious ceremonies, represents the call to repentance or the resurrection

Rising Sun: Rebirth, new life, resurrection, hope

Rod or Staff: Comfort for the bereaved, divine support

Skull/Winged Death’s Head: Mortality, the inevitability of death. A winged skull symbolized the deceased ascending to Heaven (more common on older gravestones, 17th-18th century).

Snake (Coiled): Wisdom, healing, eternity

Sundial: Nearness of death, time’s passage

Sword/Crossed Swords: Military service, courage, a life of honor. Crossed swords can mean death in battle or a military person of high rank.

Tablets (Two): The Ten Commandments, signifying a righteous life or Jewish faith

Teddy Bear: Innocence, childhood, love, often for a child’s grave

Temple: A noble life, permanence, a house of God, a sacred structure

Train/Locomotive: A railroad worker, or life’s journey

Trumpet: The call to resurrection, the Day of Judgment

Urn: The soul, immortality, penitence, or a general symbol of mourning and the containment of earthly remains. Often draped to signify sorrow.

Vase: Containing flowers, represents remembrance, a vessel for the spirit

Vines: Everlasting life, Christ as the vine

Flower & Plant Symbols

Acacia: Immortality of the soul, enduring love

Anemone: Frailty, brevity of life, anticipation

Artichoke: Hope, promise, devotion

Bells (Bluebell, Canterbury Bell): Humility, constancy, remembrance

Carnation: Love, fascination, distinction. Pink Carnation: Mother’s love. Red Carnation: Admiration. White Carnation: Pure love, innocence.

Chrysanthemum: Cheerfulness, rest, devotion. In some cultures, associated with death.

Clover/Shamrock: The Trinity, hope, faith, charity. Denotes Irish heritage.

Columbine: Fidelity, peace

Corn: Harvest, sustenance, a fruitful life

Crocus: Youthful gladness, cheerfulness

Daffodil: Unrequited love, regard, chivalry, death of youth

Daisy: Innocence of a child, purity of thought, new beginnings

Dandelion: Faithfulness, happiness

Dogwood: Christian sacrifice, resurrection (due to the shape of its petals resembling a cross)

Fern: Sincerity, humility, solitude, new life

Forget-Me-Not: Remembrance, true love

Four-Leaf Clover: Good luck, hope, faith, love, happiness

Foxglove: Insincerity, but also protection and healing

Fuchsia: Humble love, elegance

Geranium: Steadfastness, true friendship

Gladiolus: Strength of character, sincerity

Honeysuckle: Bonds of love, devotion, affection

Hyacinth: Playfulness, sport. Purple Hyacinth: Sorrow

Iris: Faith, hope, wisdom, valor

Ivy: Fidelity, friendship, immortality, eternal life, attachment

Jasmine: Grace, elegance, purity

Laurel: Glory, triumph, honor, victory over death

Lavender: Devotion, serenity, purification, remembrance

Lily (General): Purity, innocence, chastity, resurrection

  • Easter Lily: Resurrection, purity
  • Tiger Lily: Wealth, pride
  • White Lily: Purity, innocence, sympathy
  • Calla Lily: Marriage, fidelity, purity, resurrection
  • Lily of the Valley: Innocence, humility, sweetness

Lotus: Purity, spiritual awakening, rebirth (often seen in Eastern-influenced designs)

Magnolia: Dignity, nobility, perseverance

Marigold: Grief, despair, but also remembrance

Morning Glory: Affection, mortality, the brevity of life (blooms in morning, fades by evening)

Myrtle: Undying love, peace, fidelity

Narcissus: Self-love, new beginnings, rebirth

Olive Branch: Peace, forgiveness, the soul departed in peace with God, reconciliation between God and man

Orchid: Love, beauty, luxury, strength

Pansy: Remembrance, loving thoughts

Passionflower: The Passion of Christ (symbolizes the crucifixion)

Peony: Honor, prosperity, bashfulness

Periwinkle: Pleasant memories, friendship, immortality

Pine/Pinecone: Immortality, eternal life, spiritual regeneration

Poppy: Eternal sleep, death, peace, remembrance (especially for soldiers)

Primrose: Early youth, hope

Rosemary: Remembrance

Sunflower: Adoration, longevity, loyalty

Sweet Pea: Departure, pleasure

Thistle: Sorrow, remembrance, pain, Scottish ancestry

Thyme: Courage, strength

Tulip: Perfect love. Red Tulip: True love. Yellow Tulip: Cheerful thoughts

Violet: Modesty, humility, faithfulness. Blue Violet: Faithfulness. White Violet: Innocence. Yellow Violet: Modest worth

Wheat: Old age, a fruitful life, the divine harvest

Yew: Immortality, regeneration, resurrection

Occupational, Affiliation, and Fraternal Symbols

Anchor: Seaman, naval service

Anvil and/or Hammer: Blacksmith or ironworker

Axe: Logger, woodcutter, or can symbolize a life cut short

Caduceus (often confused with Rod of Asclepius): Historically commerce and messengers; mistakenly widely used for medical professions

Carpenter’s Tools (Square, Compass, Ruler): Carpenter, builder, or Masonic association

Chemist’s Flasks/Retort: Chemist, pharmacist

Doctor’s Bag/Medical Cross: Physician, medical professional

Farmer’s Tools (Plow, Scythe, Sheaf of Wheat): Farmer, agricultural worker

Firefighter Maltese Cross: Protection, honor, bravery, selflessness of a firefighter

Gavel: Judge, lawyer, leader

Hourglass with Wings: Flight of time, brevity of life (often a Masonic symbol too)

Lighthouse: Guidance, safe passage home, a beacon

Lyre: Musician, poet

Masonic Symbols (Freemasons):

  • Square and Compasses: Morality, integrity, wisdom, and the balance between earthly and spiritual responsibilities
  • Letter ‘G’: God (Grand Architect of the Universe) and Geometry
  • All-Seeing Eye: God’s watchful eye, divine providence
  • Plumb: Uprightness, integrity
  • Level: Equality among all men
  • Trowel: Spreading the “cement” of brotherly love
  • Acacia Branch: Immortality of the soul

Military Emblems (Swords, Flags, Specific Branch Insignia, Rank Insignia): Indicates military service. Crossed swords can mean death in battle.

Nursing Lamp/Cap: Nurse, caregiver

Order of the Eastern Star (OES): A women’s auxiliary to Freemasonry. A five-pointed star with a pentagon in the center, often containing an altar with an open Bible. Each point of the star has a specific meaning (Adah, Ruth, Esther, Martha, Electa).

Printer’s Stick/Typeset: Printer, journalist

Scales: Justice, law, a merchant. Can also represent the weighing of souls by the Archangel Michael.

Ship/Sailboat: Mariner, naval service, or life’s journey

Train/Locomotive: Railroad worker

Animals and Creatures

Ant: Industry, hard work

Bee: Industry, immortality, resurrection

Beaver: Industry, perseverance

Bird (General): Eternal life, spirituality, Messenger of God, peace. A flying bird can signify rebirth.

  • Cardinal: A beloved one who has passed is visiting, spiritual messenger, hope, renewal, vibrant life
  • Doves (Specific): See above entry under “Religious and Spiritual Symbols”
  • Swallow: Motherhood, the spirit of children, consolation, rebirth, the return of spring
  • Eagle: Courage, strength, immortality, soaring spirit, freedom
  • Robin: Renewal, new beginnings

Cat: Independence, domesticity

Deer: Piety, devotion, gentleness; deep connection to nature, hunting, or a love for the outdoors

Dog: Loyalty, faithfulness, a good master

Dragon: Power, protection

Eagle: Courage, strength, immortality, soaring spirit, freedom

Fish: Christian symbol (Ichthys), spiritual nourishment

Fox: Cunning, cleverness

Frog: Resurrection, new beginnings

Griffin: Guardian, protector

Horse: Fidelity, loyalty, swiftness

Lamb: Innocence, purity, especially for children

Lion: Courage, strength, protection of the tomb, kingly power

Owl: Wisdom, nocturnal vigilance

Raven: Wisdom, death, mourning

Rooster: Awakening, resurrection, vigilance

Snail: Perseverance, slow but steady progress

Snake (Coiled): Wisdom, healing, eternity

Spider: Diligence, fate

Squirrel: Foresight, provision

Turtle: Longevity, wisdom

Unicorn: Purity, innocence

Wolf: Loyalty, cunning