Meanings of Tombstone Markings USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. If you have found this file through a source other than the MNArchives Table Of Contents you can find other Minnesota related Archives at: http://www.usgwarchives.net/mn/mnfiles.htm Please note the county and type of file at the top of this page to find the submitter information or other files for this county. Made available to The USGenWeb Archives by: Marlene Trader Molisee What the tombstone markings represent: Anchor/ships -- Hope or seafaring profession Arches -- Victory in Death Arrows -- Mortality Bouquets/flowers -- Morning of life or renewal of life Broken column -- Loss of head of family Broken ring -- Family circle severed Bugles -- Resurrection and the military Butterfly -- Short-lived; Early death Candle being snuffed -- Time, mortality Cherub -- Angelic Coffin, Father time, Picks/shovels, Darts -- Mortality Corn -- Ripe old age Cross -- Emblem of faith Crossed swords -- High-raking military person Dove -- Innocence; Gentleness; affection; Purity Flying birds -- Flight of the soul Fruits -- Eternal plenty Full-blown rose -- prime of life Garlands -- Victory in death Hand of God Chopping -- Sudden Death Handshakes -- Farewell Harp -- Praise to the maker Hearts -- Soul in bliss or love of Christ Horns -- The Resurrection Hourglass -- Swiftness of time Hourglass with wings of time -- Time flying; short life Imps -- Mortality Ivy -- Friendship and immortality Lamb -- Innocence Laurel -- Fame or victory Lily or lily of the valley -- Emblem of innocence and purity Morning glory -- Beginning of life Oak leaves & acorn -- Maturity, Ripe old age Open book/Bible -- Deceased Teacher, Minister etc. Palm branch -- Signifies Victory and rejoicing Poppy -- Sleep Portals -- Passageway to eternal life Roses -- Brevity of earthly existence Sheaf of wheat -- Ripe for harvest; Divine harvest; time Shells -- Pilgrimage of life Stars and stripes around eagle -- Eternal vigilance, Liberty Thistles -- Remembrance Tombs -- Mortality Torch inverted -- Life Extinct Tree stump with ivy -- Head of family; Immortality Trees -- Life Trumpeters -- Heralds of the resurrection Urn with Blaze -- Undying friendship Urn with Wreath or Crepe -- Mourning Weeping Willow -- Emblem of sorrow Willows -- Earthly sorrow Winged Effigies -- Flight of the soul