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Texas Tombstone Symbols & their Meanings
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For a list of abbreviations found on U.S. tombstones, visit our Tombstone Abbreviations & their Meanings website. |
TOMBSTONE SYMBOLS & their MEANINGS |
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EXAMPLE |
SYMBOL |
MEANING / NOTES |
Acorns | Power; Authority; Victory. Often seen on military graves. | |
Alpha and Omega | The beginning and the end. | |
Anchor | Hope; Steadfastness. | |
Anchor, Sextant, & Cross Staff | Could mean the person was a Mariner. | |
Anchor with Crossed Canons | Confederate States Navy. | |
Anchor with Chain or Rope | Emblem of the United States Navy. | |
Anchors, Double with Shield | United States Coast Guard. | |
Angels | Spirituality; Guardians of the tomb. | |
Angel, Flying | Rebirth; Resurrection. | |
Angel, Praying | Advocate asking God for mercy on behalf of the deceased. | |
Angel, Trumpeting | Rebirth; Resurrection. | |
Arch | Victory in death; Door to Salvation. | |
Arches, Double Stone | Being Rejoined in Heaven With Partner. | |
Arrow(s) | Mortality; Death. | |
Axe, Knife, & Cleaver | Could mean the person was a Butcher. | |
Awl, Knife, & Nippers | Could mean the person was a Shoemaker or Cobbler. | |
Barber Bowl & Razor | Could mean the person was a Barber. | |
Bee Flying with Gun | Seabees (US Navy) | |
Beehive | Symbol of Mormonism; Masonic symbol of productivity. | |
Bells & Doves | Marriage. | |
Bellflower | Gratitude | |
Bible | The Holy Bible is often found on the tombstones of Christians. | |
Bird | Eternal Life. | |
Bird Flying | Ressurection. | |
Books, Holy | Often found on the tombstones of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). Two books indicate the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Three books represent the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price. | |
Books, with or without Apple | Could mean the person was a Teacher. | |
Book, Open | Book of Life. | |
Butterfly | Shortened life. | |
Candle (snuffed) | Loss of Life. | |
Candle, Burning | Everlasting Life. | |
Castle | U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. | |
Chain, Broken Links of | Death of a Spouse. | |
Chain, Three Links | Grand United Order of Oddfellows | |
Chalice | Sacrement. | |
Cherubs | Innocence. | |
Chi Rho | The first two letters, X (chi) & P (rho) in the Greek word for Christ. | |
Child, Sleeping | Grave of a young child; Not dead, just sleeping. | |
Circle of Leaves | The Circle (Womens auxillary - Woodmen of the World) | |
Clover, Four-Leaf | The 4H Club. | |
Coffin | Mortality. | |
Column, Broken | Decay / Loss of the Head of the Family | |
Compass & Square | Masons. | |
Corn, Stalk of | Could mean the person was a Farmer. | |
Coulter (hoe) | Could mean the person was a Farmer. | |
Crescent | Muslum faith. | |
Cross | General Symbol of Christianity. Represents the Ressurection to many Christian religions. | |
Cross with Crown | In Mississippi it is usually a Christian symbol of sovereignty of the Lord. | |
Cross with Flames | Symbol of the Methodist Religion. | |
Cross with Jesus Christ | The Crucifixion; The Sacrifice of Christ. | |
Cross, Bontonee | The Trinity. | |
Cross, Celtic or Irish | Episcopalians call this the Celtic Cross, while Catholics call it the Irish Cross. Often used to denote the graves of Monks or Priests. | |
Cross, Crusader's | Symbol used by Europeans during the Holy War against the Muslims. | |
Cross, Egyptian or Coptic | Used by the Gnostics and the Copts, it was devised from the ancient Egyptian symbol, ankh, which symbolizes life. | |
Cross, Greek | Most commonly known as the symbol adopted by the International Red Cross. | |
Cross, Jerusalem | Adopted by the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This is another cross from the Crusades. | |
Cross, Maltese w/ Firefighter Equipment. | Firefighters Emblem. | |
Cross, Orthodox, Patriarchal, or Eastern | The top cross bar represents the sign "Jesus Christ, King of the Jews", placed on Jesus' cross by the Romans. | |
Cross, Presbyterian | Presbyterian Religion. | |
Cross, Roman or Latin | Came about as a result of the Great Schism between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism. | |
Cross, Southern Cross of Honor | Usually found on the tombstones of Confederate Veterans. | |
Cross, St. Andrew's | According to legend, when St. Andrew was martyred he claimed he was not worthy to be hung on a cross shaped as Jesus' cross. He requested that this shape be used for his execution. | |
Crossed Swords | High Ranking Military Person. | |
Crown | The soul's achievement and the Glory of life after death. | |
Crown with Cross | In Mississippi it is usually a Christian symbol of sovereignty of the Lord. | |
Crown with Knight's Head, Crossed Swords, Moon & Stars | Order of DeMolay. | |
Curtains / Drapes | Mourning; End of Life on Earth. | |
Daffodil / Narcissus | Rebirth and Ressurection. | |
Dart w/ figure | Mortality. | |
Deer | Outdoorsman; Hunter. | |
Dog | A Master worthy of love; Dog lover; Hunter | |
Dove | Innocence; Peace. | |
Dove, Ascending | Soul rising to heaven. | |
Dove, Dead | Premature death. | |
Dove, Decending | Decent from heaven to accompany soul to heaven. | |
Dove, Dive Bombing with Twig | Holy Ghost. | |
Dove, Flying | Ressurrection. | |
Dragonfly | Immortality and regeneration. | |
Eagle | U.S. Postal Service. | |
Eagle with Stars & Stripes | Eternal vigilance and liberty. | |
Eagle and Shield on Fleur de lis | Boy Scouts of America | |
Eagle Clutching Arrows with Shield | United States Army. | |
Eagles, Double w/ pyramid & the number 32 | Emblem of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons (32nd Degree). | |
Eye with Sunburst or Triagle | Masonic Symbol. | |
Flail | Could mean the person was a Farmer. | |
Flame | Immortality of the Spirit; The Resurrection. | |
Fleur-de-Lis | Faith, wisdom and valor; The Trinity, passion and love. | |
Fruit | Eternal Plenty; Fruit of Life. | |
Garland | Saintliness; Glory; Victory in Death. | |
Gates | Pearly Gates; Entrance to Heaven. | |
Grapes / Grapevine | Blood of Christ; Sacrament. | |
Grim Reaper | Personification of death. | |
Hammer, Anvil, & Crown | Could mean the person was a Blacksmith. | |
Hammer & Square | Could mean the person was a Carpenter. | |
Hand, Pointing Up | Pathway to Heaven. | |
Hands with Rosery Beads | Symbol of the Catholic Religion. | |
Hands, Blessing | Blessing those remaining behind. | |
Hands, Clasped | Farewell. | |
Hands, Holding | Unity of Marriage. | |
Hands, Praying | Asking God for Eternal Life. | |
Hands reaching for the Lord's Hand | Faith that the Lord will help us to Heaven & Eternal Life. | |
Harp | Praising God. | |
Heart | Love; Affection of the living for the dead. | |
Heart, Sacred | Commonly found in Catholic Cemeteries. Representative of the suffering of Christ for our sins. | |
Hearts, Two interlocked | Marriage. | |
Heart and Rose in Cupped Hands | Organ Donor. | |
Horns | The Resurrection. | |
Horse and Rider superimposed on Globe. | United Methodist Clergy | |
Hourglass | Time has expired; Brievity of Life. | |
"I" made with railroad tie | Employee of Illinois Central Gulf Railroad. | |
Ivy | Immortality; Friendship. | |
Lamb | Innocence. Usually marks a child's grave. | |
Lamp | Immortality of the Spirit; The Resurrection. | |
Laurel | Worldly accomplishment; Heroism | |
Light | Immortality of the Spirit; The Resurrection. | |
Lily | Flower of a Virgin; Purity & Innocence. | |
Lion | Courage. The Lion's eternal watch guards the tomb. | |
Loom, Shuttle, & Stretcher | Could mean the person was a Weaver. | |
Medal, Ribbon with Heart & likeness of George Washington. | Purple Heart, a U.S. Military medal given to soldiers wounded in action. | |
Medal, Ribbon with 5-Pointed Star. | The Bronze Star, a U.S. Military medal awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. | |
Menorah | An Emblem of Judaism. | |
Militia Soldier w/ Rifle & 5 Stars | Army National Guard. | |
Mississippi Map with Eagle, Shield, & Stars | Mississippi Highway Patrol. | |
Morning Glory | Beginning of Life. | |
Mortar and Pestle | Pharmacists (sometimes Doctor). | |
Navy Seal | United States Navy. | |
Oak Leaves | Power; Authority; Victory. Often seen on military graves. | |
Palm Branch | Victory; Rejoicing. | |
Pine Tree, Cones, Branch, and/or needles | Immortality. | |
Poppy | Eternal Sleep. | |
Rake & Spade | Could mean the person was a Gardener. | |
Ring | Marriage. | |
Ring, Broken | A Family Circle has been severed. | |
Rings, Interlocked | Marriage. | |
Rod | Comfort for the Bereaved. | |
Rooster | Awakening; Resurrection. | |
Rose, Fully opened | Death in the prime of life. | |
Rosebud | Death early in life. | |
Rosemary | Remembrance. | |
Scales | Could mean the person was a Merchant. | |
Scimitar & 5-pointed Star | Emblem of the Shriners. | |
Scimitar with Rose & Crescent | Daughters of the Nile. | |
Scythe | Harvest of death. | |
Sissors, Brush, Razor, &/or Comb | Person was probably a Barber / Hairdresser / Beautician. | |
Skull or Skull & Crossbones | Death. | |
Spade or Spade crossed with Shovel | Death. | |
Spinning Wheel | Heroines of Jericho (Masonic). | |
Spinning Wheel over Distaff filled with Flax | Daughters of the American Revolution. | |
Staff | Comfort for the Bereaved. | |
Staff of Aesculapius w/ wings & the letter "V" superimposed (Caduceus) | Veterinarian. | |
Staff of Asklepios with wings & double snakes (Caduceus) | Medical Doctor. | |
Staff of Asklepios with wings, double snakes & the letter "D" (Caduceus) | Doctor of Dentistry. | |
Star | The Order of the Eastern Star (Masonic). | |
Star | The Light of the Spirit overpowers death. | |
Star of David | International Symbol of Judaism. | |
Star, 5-Pointed with Wreath & "US" in Center | American Legion Emblem. | |
Sun | Light and warmth; Renewed life and life everlasting. | |
Sunrise / Sunset | The Ressurection; Life Ending. | |
Thistles | Remembrance. | |
Tourch | Immortality of the Spirit; The Resurrection. | |
Tree | Life. | |
Tree, Sprouting | Everlasting Life. | |
Tree Stump | Life Cut Short. | |
Tree Trunk | Brevity of Life; Member of Woodmen of the World. | |
Triangle with 3 joined "T's" | Royal Arch Mason. | |
Trumpeters | Harbingers of the Resurrection. | |
Urn | Immortality. | |
Urn with Flame | Undying Remembrence. | |
Wedge & Level | Could mean the person was a Mason by trade. | |
Weeping Willow | Perpetual Mourning; Grief. | |
Wheat Sheaves or Strands | Divine Harvest. | |
Wreath | Saintliness; Glory; Victory in Death. | |
Wings with Crest | U.S. Air Force Pilot. | |
Wings with Parachute & Star | U.S. Army Airbourne. | |
Wings with Propeller | U.S. Army Air Corps. | |
Wings with Star and Wreath | U.S. Army Master Aviator. | |
Wings, Pilot's, with "L" in Center | WW II U.S. Military Liaison Pilot. | |
Wreath | Saintliness; Glory; Victory in Death. |