Symbols - What do they mean?
Many gravestones have symbols on them. Here are meanings of some of the more common symbols found in Australian Cemeteries.
Lily
Purity
Poppy
Sleep
Shamrock
Of Irish descent or the Holy Trinity
Oak Leaf and Acorn
Of English descent or earthly sin and sorrow
Thistle
Of Scottish descent or earthly sin and sorrow
Lily of the Valley
Humility
Laurel Wreath
Triumph, suggesting eternity as Laurel leaves do not wither
Morning Glory
Faithfulness: because of the way it clings to things
Wheat
Bread: the food of life
Weeping Willow
Grief: sorrow
Palm Frond
Spiritual victory
Flower with broken stem
An early death: often found on a child's gravelvy - clinging to the memory of the departed (like the vine) or, keeping the memory alive
Cross
Faith
Cherub
Flight of the soula
Dove with the sprig of olive
Noah's dove - hope for a new and better world
Shell
Resurrection, Ancient symbol of fertility
Weeping figure
A person left behind, or mourners in general
Urn
A container for the soul of the departed
Drapery
Mourning
Book
Book of life, the Bible, Book of Knowledge
Hour glass
Time has run out
Hour glass with wings
Times flies
Coffin
Mortality
Reversed Torch
Life's race is run. From the Olympic and other games where a torch is passed on
Boat & boatman
Occupation of the departed. The dead crossing the river Styx by boat from Greek mythology
Rope
Eternity
Skull and crossed bones
Mortality
Sun with eye or face
Symbolic watchfulness of a supreme being
Set-square and pair of
Member of a Masonic Lodge
compasses
Broken column
An unexpected death. Usually someone who was still young
Heart
Love
Trumpet
Resurrection on the Last day
Triangle
Holy Trinity
Heart on the palm of a hand
Member of a Manchester Unity Lodge