The Paranormal - Headstone Symbols and Meanings

Anchor/Ships - Hope or Seafaring profession. Angel, Flying- Resurrection.

Angel, Trumpeting - Grief and Mourning.

Angel, Weeping - Rebirth; Resurrection.

Angels- Symbolize heaven and the journey from earth to heaven.

Arches - Victory in Death.

Arches - (often seen with pillars) Arches symbolize the passage to heaven. The soul travels from earth to heaven through the symbolic arches.

Arrows - Mortality. Arrows - Arrows, quivers, javelins, and darts all symbolize death. This symbolism comes from the fact that the colonists were always threatened by the possibility of an Indian attack.

Bird - Eternal life.

Bird, Flying - Resurrection.

Book - Representation of a holy book.

A Pair of Holy Books - on Mormon (LDS) headstones indicates the Bible and Book of Mormon.

Three Holy Books - on Mormon headstones indicates the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine & Covenants -- all of which are scripture to the LDS Church.

Bouquets/Flowers - Condolences, grief, sorrow.

Broken Column - Loss of Head of Family.

Broken Ring - Family Circle Severed.

Buds/Rosebud - Morning of Life or Renewal of Life.

Bugles - Resurrection and the Military.

Butterfly - Short-lived; Early Death.

Candle being Snuffed - Time, mortality.

Candles - Candles or lights symbolize life. Sometimes these are seen with a skeleton or father time trying to extinguish the light!

Cherub - Angelic.

Clouds - Atmospheric veil which conceals God from his worshipers.

Cocks & Peacocks - Symbolized vanity, a falling from grace, and also the awakening to repentance.

Coffin Mortality - Signified the passing away of the flesh, used for its entombment and the ultimate triumph of death.

Coffins - Symbol of dying.

Columns and Doors - Heavenly entrance.

Corn - Ripe Old Age.

Cross - Emblem of Faith.

Crossed Swords - High-ranking military person.

Crown - Honors glorified souls and angels, or points to the triumph of death, when it caps a winged skill.

Crowns - Is thought to symbolize righteousness and the ability of the righteous soul to move from death to heaven.

Cup or Chalice - The Sacraments.

Darts - Mortality.

Death Head - Death was preached all the time during colonial times. The death head (also see skeleton) could be seen as cheerful, angry or sad. Sometimes with wings, less frequently with scull and crossbones.

Dove - Innocence, Gentleness, Affection, Purity.

Dove, Flying - Resurrection, peace and devotion.

Drapes Mourning - Mortality.

Father Time - Mortality.

Flame or Light Life - Resurrection.

Flower - Fragility of life.

Flower, Severed Stem - Shortened life.

Flying Birds - Flight of the Soul.

Fruits - Eternal plenty.

Full-Blown Rose - Prime of Life.

Garlands - Victory in death.

Gourds - Coming and passing of the human life.

Grapevine - Symbolizes Christ and the church.

Hand, Pointing Up - Pathway to heaven; Heavenly reward.

Hands, Clasped - The goodbyes said at death.

Hand of God Chopping - Sudden Death.

Handshakes - Farewell.

Harp - Praise to the Maker.

Heart- In the Mouth of a Death's Head - The soul emerging triumphant from death.

Hearts - Soul in Bliss or Love of Christ- The soul in heaven.

Horns - The Resurrection.

Hourglass - Passing of time.

Hourglass, Flying - Time flies.

Hourglass w/Wings of Time - Time Flying- Short Life.

Imps - Mortality.

Ivy - Friendship and Immortality.

Lamb - Innocence.

Laurel - Fame or Victory.

Lily or Lily of Valley - Emblem of Innocence and Purity.

Lion - Courage; The Lion of Judah.

Mermaids - From mythology which was a part of the Puritan's life. Sirens or mermaids were the messengers of Prosperina and were sent to carry the souls of the dead to Hades.

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.

Picks/Shovels - Mortality.

Poppy - Sleep.

Portals - Passageway to eternal journey.

Rod or Staff - Comfort for the bereaved.

Rooster - Awakening; Resurrection.

Roses - Brevity of earthly existence.

Scythe - Death; The Divine Harvest-Symbolizes the end of life and the temporary nature of life. When seen in the hands of father time, it symbolizes the ending of a life.

Scallop Shell - Shells were used by the Pilgrims for many day to day items. Therefore the scallop shell is seen as a humble symbol representing the crusade for life.

Seashell - Resurrection; Life everlasting; Life's pilgrimage.

Sheaf of Wheat - Ripe for Harvest, Divine Harvest, Time.

Shells - Pilgrimage of Life.

Skull - Mortality.

Skull/ Crossed Bones - Death.

Skeleton - (Death head or less commonly, the whole skeleton) Death was preached constantly during colonial times. Depending on the sculptor of the stone, the death head can be seen as cheerful, angry, or sad. It often has wings! The whole skeleton when seen is often shown with father time and at times with arrows in hand. Life's brevity.

Snake (Tail in Mouth) - Everlasting life in heaven.

Spade - Mortality; Death.

Stars - Heaven.

Sun Rising - Renewed life.

Sun Shining - Life everlasting.

Sun Setting - Death.

Sun - Half suns can symbolize both the beginning and the end of life. The sun is also a symbol of heaven and the journey to heaven.

Star - Guidance for the soul.

Stars & Stripes Around eagle - Eternal Vigilance, Liberty.

Thistles - Remembrance; Scottish descent.

Tombs - Mortality.

Tree - Life.

Tree Sprouting - Life everlasting.

Severed Branch - Mortality.

Tree Stump - Life interrupted.

Tree Trunk - Brevity of life.

Tree Trunk Leaning - Short interrupted life.

Tree of life - Symbolized both earthly and heavenly life and spirituality. The "weeping willow" may have also symbolized the sadness family members felt at the time of a loved ones death.

Trumpeters - Heralds of the Resurrection.

Torch Inverted - Life Extinct.

Tree Stump w/Ivy - Head of Family; Immortality.

Urn with Blaze - Undying Friendship.

Urn with /Wreath or Crepe - Mourning.

Urns - Symbols of earthly death.

Wheat Strands or Sheaves - The divine harvest.

Weeping Willow - Emblem of Sorrow.

Willows - Earthly Sorrow.

Winged Effigies - Flight of the Soul.

Wreath - Victory.

Wreath on Skull - Victory of death over life.