Anchor/Ships--- Hope or seafaring profession

Angels --- Angels mean spirituality and they guard the tomb.

Arches--- Victory in Death

Arrow --- Mortality

Arrows--- Mortality

Bible --- A single Holy Bible is often found on Christian stones.

Birds --- Eternal life or resurrection.

Bouquets/flowers--- condolences, grief, sorrow

Broken Column--- Loss of head of family

Broken Column --- This image represents the decay. It usually represents the loss of the Family head.

Broken Ring--- Family circle severed

Buds/Rosebud--- Morning of life or renewal of life

Bugles--- Resurrection and the military

Butterfly--- Short-lived, early death

Butterfly --- Short, life.

Candle being Snuffed--- Time, mortality

Candle being Snuffed --- Loss of life.

Chalice --- Usually used to represent the Sacraments.

Cherub--- Angelic

Coffin --- mortality.

Coffin, Father Time, picks/shovels, darts--- mortality

Corn--- Ripe old age

Crescent --- the deceased was probably a Muslim.

Cross--- Emblem of faith

Cross --- the Cross is an emblem of faith. There are many different types of crosses and each may mean something different. For a good explanation of the various types of crosses, see a part of The City of the Silent.

Crossed Swords--- High-ranking military person

Crown --- The soul's achievement and the Glory of life after death.

Dog --- Implies a good master worthy of love.

Dove--- Innocence, gentleness, affection, purity

Dove --- Seen in both Christian and Jewish cemeteries, the dove means innocence and/ or peace.

Figure with Dart --- Mortality

Flying Birds--- Flight of the soul

Fruits --- Eternal plenty as in the fruit of life.

Fruits --- Eternal plenty

Full Blown Rose---The deceased died in the prime of life

Full-Blown Rose--- Prime of life

Garlands --- Victory in death

Grim Reaper --- Death personified.

Hand of God Chopping--- Sudden death

Handshakes--- Farewell

Harp--- Praise to the Maker

Heart (Sacred) --- Usually found in Catholic cemeteries, this heart refers to the suffering of Christ for our sins.

Hearts--- Soul in bliss or love of Christ

Holy Books (2) --- on Mormon headstones indicates the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

Holy Books (3) --- on Mormon Headstones, these indicate The Scripture of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Horns--- The Resurrection

Hourglass--- Swiftness of time

Hourglass --- Time has run out.

Hourglass w/Wings of Time--- Time flying , short life

Imps--- Mortality

Ivy--- Friendship and immortality

Ivy --- Ivy stands for friendship and also immortality.

Lamb--- Innocence

Lamb --- Usually marks the grave of a child and means Innocence.

Laurel --- Fame or victory

Laurel --- A symbol of worldly accomplishment and heroism.

Lily --- The virgins' flower and also the symbol of innocence and purity.

Lily or Lily of Valley--- Emblem of innocence and purity

Lion --- The Lion's eternal watch guards the tomb and stands for Courage.

Menorah --- An emblem of Judaism

Morning Glory--- Beginning of life

Morning Glory --- Signifies the beginning of Life

Oak Leaves & Acorn--- Maturity, ripe old age

Oak., Oak Leaves and Acorn --- Oak leaves on tombs can stand for power, authority or victory. Often seen on Military tombs.

Open Book/ Bible--- Deceased teacher, minister, etc.

Palm Branch--- Signifies victory and rejoicing

Palm Branch --- Signifies Victory and Rejoicing

Poppy--- Sleep

Poppy --- Eternal Sleep.

Portals--- Passageway to eternal journey

Rooster --- Awakening, Resurrection.

Rosemary --- Rosemary is for remembrance. Thistles can also stand for remembrance.

Roses--- Brevity of earthly existence

Roses --- Roses signify completion and the brevity of earthly existence.

Scythe --- An instrument of the harvest, death cuts us down.

Sheaf of Wheat--- Ripe for harvest, divine harvest time

Shells--- Pilgrimage of life

Skull and or Skull/ Crossed Bones --- Death.

Spade or Crossed Spade and Shovel --- Death

Star of David or Mogen David --- Recognized as the international symbol of Judaism.

Stars & Stripes Around Eagle--- Eternal vigilance, liberty

Thistle --- Deceased was of Scottish descent.

Thistles--- Remembrance

Tombs--- Mortality

Torch Inverted--- Life extinct

Tree Stump w/Ivy--- Head of family, immortality

Trees--- Life

Trumpeters--- Heralds of the resurrection

Urn with /wreath or crepe--- mourning

Urn with Blaze --- Undying friendship

Weeping Willow--- Emblem of sorrow

Willows--- Earthly sorrow

Winged Effigies--- Flight of the soul