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From: Shirley Hornbeck <>
Subject: This and That Genealogy Tips
Date: Sat, 06 Jun 1998 06:50:08 -0700


Old Tombstone Carvings:
The term "Relict" on a tombstone means that the woman was a widow at time
of death, consort means that her husband survived her.

"Cenotaph" engraved on a tombstone indicates an empty grave, with the stone
erected in honor or memory of a person buried elsewhere - often erected in
honor of a person lost at sea.


Meanings of Carvings:
Arches---Victory in Death
Arrows---Mortality
Bouquets/Flowers---Condolences, grief, sorrow
Buds/Rosebud---Morning of Life or Renewal of Life
Roses---Brevity of earthly existence
Portals---Passageway to eternal journey
Bugles---Resurrection and the Military
Crossed Swords---High-ranking military person
Flying Birds---Flight of the Soul
Fruits---Eternal plenty
Garlands---Victory in death
Imps---Mortality
Shells---Pilgrimage of Life
Thistles---Remembrance
Tombs---Mortality
Trees---Life
Trumpeters---Heralds of the Resurrection
Willows---Earthly Sorrow
Morning Glory---Beginning of Life
Butterfly---Short-lived; Early Death
Full-Blown Rose---Prime of Life
Palm Branch---Signifies Victory and Rejoicing
Ivy---Friendship and Immortality
Laurel---Fame or Victory
Oak Leaves & Acorn---Maturity, Ripe Old Age
Weeping Willow---Emblem of Sorrow
Corn---Ripe Old Age
Sheaf of Wheat---Ripe for Harvest, Divine Harvest, Time
Poppy---Sleep
Lamb---Innocence
Dove---Innocence, Gentleness, Affection, Purity
Cherub---Angelic
Cross---Emblem of Faith
Anchor/Ships---Hope or Seafaring profession
Broken Ring---Family Circle Severed
Broken Column---Loss of Head of Family
Torch Inverted---Life Extinct
Urn with Blaze ---Undying Friendship
Harp---Praise to the Maker
Handshakes---Farewell
Hearts---Soul in Bliss or Love of Christ
Horns---The Resurrection
Hourglass---Swiftness of Time
Open Book/Bible--- Deceased Teacher, Minister, etc.
Lily or Lily of Valley---Emblem of Innocence and Purity
Tree Stump w/Ivy---Head of Family; Immortality
Urn with /Wreath or Crepe--Mourning
Stars & Stripes Around Eagle---Eternal Vigilance, Liberty
Hourglass w/Wings of Time---Time Flying; Short Life
Candle being Snuffed---Time, mortality
Coffin, Father Time, Picks/Shovels, Darts---Mortality
Hand of God Chopping---Sudden Death
Winged Effigies---Flight of the Soul

More This and That Genealogy Tips on my home page in my signature below.



Shirley Hornbeck -
Web Authoring and Design Service
My web pages: <http://users.tminet.com/shornbeck>;
THIS & THAT GENEALOGY TIPS:
<http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/5643/tandt.html>;

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