Friday, 1 July 2022

Fabulous Folklore: Gravestone Symbolism

Close up of stone carvings on a cemetery headstone

Many gravestones have symbols and images on them, some common, some uncommon,  with scholars still debating the various meanings and interpretations of them.

Here are ten gravestone symbols and their suggested meanings:
  • Angels - Messengers between God and man
  • Bat wings - Death, misfortune
  • Bone - Death
  • Candle - Life
  • Heart - Romantic love
  • Key - Knowledge, entrance to Heaven
  • Lamp - Knowledge, spiritual immortality
  • Oak leaf - Strength, stability, endurance
  • Phoenix - Resurrection
  • Winged Death’s Head - Mortal remains of the deceased
Next time you visit a cemetery or graveyard take notice of all the symbols you see - I’d love to  hear what you’ve seen.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Thanks so much for leaving comments!