The Meanings of Tombstone Carvings
AOF | Ancient Order of Foresters |
AOH | Ancient Order of Hibernians |
AOKMC | Ancient Order of Knights of Mystic Chain |
AOUW | Ancient Order of United Workmen |
ALOH | American Legion of Honor |
AUM | Ancient Order of Mysteries - Masonic Order |
BPOEW | Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World |
BPOE | Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks |
CAR | Children of the American Revolution |
CK of A | Catholic Knights of America |
COOF | Catholic Order of Foresters |
CTAS | Catholic Total Abstinence Society |
CBKA | Commander Benevolent Knights Association |
CCTAS | Crusader - Catholic Total Abstinence Society |
CSA | Confederate States Army |
DAR | Daughters of the American Revolution |
EBA | Emerald Beneficial Association |
FAA | Free and Accepted Americans |
FOE | Fraternal Order of Eagles |
FOP | Fraternal Order of Police |
F & AM | Free & Accepted Masons |
GALSTPTR | German American Legion of St. Peter |
GAR | Grand Army of the Republic |
GLAUM | Grand Lodge Ancient Order of Mysteries - Masonic Order |
GUOOF | Grand United Order of Odd Fellows |
IHSV | Red Cross of Constantine |
IOI | Independent Order of Immaculates |
I.O.R.M. | Improved Order of Red Men |
IOF | Independent Order of Foresters |
IOOF | Independent Order of Odd Fellows |
IOJD | International Order of Job's Daughters |
IOKP | Independent Order of Knights of Pythias |
ISH | Independent Sons of Honor |
IORM | Improved Order of Redmen |
IWW | Industrial Workers of the World |
J.O.A.M. | Junior Order of American Mechanics |
J.O.U.A.M. | Junior Order of United American Mechanics |
K.of C. | Knights of Columbus |
KG | Knights of St. George |
KGL | Knight Grand Legion |
KM | Knights Militant |
K of FM | Knights of Father Matthew |
K of H | Knights of Honor |
K of L | Knights of Loyola |
K M | Knights of Malta (Masonic) |
KMC | Knights of the Mystic Chain |
KPC | Knights of Peter Claver |
KSC | Knights of St. Columbkille |
K of P. | Knights of Pythias |
K of SJ | Knights of St. John |
KSTJ | Knights of St. Joseph |
KSL | Knights of St. Lawrence |
KSTM | Knights of St. Martin |
K of STP | Knights of St. Patrick |
KSTP | Knights of St. Paul |
KSTP | Knights of St. Paul |
KSTP | Knights of St. Peter |
KSTT | Knights of St. Thomas |
K of STW | Knights of St. Wenceslas |
KT | Knights of Tabor |
KWM | Knights of Wise Men |
KGE | Knights of Golden Eagle |
KHC | Knights of Holy Cross |
KKK | Knights of Klu Klux Klan |
KOTM | Knights of Macabees |
KSF | Knights of Sherwood Forest |
KT | Knights Templar (Masonic) |
LAOH | Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians |
LK of A | Loyal Knights of America |
LOM | Loyal Order of Moose |
MOLLUS | Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States |
MRA | Royal Arcanum |
M.W.A. | Modern Woodmen of America |
NOK | New Order of Knights (see KKK) |
N.O.W. | Neighbors of Woodcraft |
OES | Order of Eastern Star |
OUAM | Order of United American Mechanics |
PM | Patriarchs Millitant (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) |
POSA | Patriotic Order of the Sons of America |
RMOKHSJ | The Religious and Military Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem |
RA | Royal Academy |
RA | Royal Arcanum |
R.A.M. | Royal Arch Masons |
R.N.A. | Royal Neighbors of America |
RO-AUM | Rosicrucian Order (Masonic) |
RSTV | Rite of St. Vaclara |
RSTV | Rite of St. Vita |
RK | Roman Knights |
SAR | Sons of the American Revolution |
SBCL | Saint Bonifazius Catholic Union |
SBL | Society B. Lafayette |
S.F.W.C. | Supreme Forest Woodmen Circle |
SNA-AUM | Shrine of North America (Masonic) |
SR | Scottish Rite (Masonic Order) |
SV | Sons of Veterans |
TH | Temple of Honor - Independent Order of Odd Fellows |
UCV | United Confederate Veterans |
UDC | United Daughters of the Confederacy |
U.S.A. | United States Army |
U.S.A.F. | United States Air Force |
U.S.M.C. | United States Marine Corp |
U.S.N. | United States Navy |
VFW | Veterans of Foreign Wars |
YMCA | Young Men's Christian Association |
YWCA | Young Women's Christian Association |
W.C. | Woodmen Circle |
W.O.W. | Woodmen of the World |
W.O.W. | Women of Woodcraft |
Anchor/Ships | Hope or Seafaring profession |
Arches | Victory in Death, Being Rejoined in Heaven With Partner |
Arrows | Mortality |
Beehive | Domestic Virtues, Education, Faith, Abundance in the Promised Land , Piety |
Bell | Mourning |
Bird | Eternal Life, Winged Soul, Spirituality |
Book | The Devine Word or One's Accomplishments |
Bouquets/Flowers | Condolences, grief, sorrow |
Broken Column | Early Death, Grief, Loss of Head of Family |
Broken Ring | Family Circle Severed |
Buds/Rosebud | Morning of Life or Renewal of Life |
Bugles | Resurrection and the Military |
Burning Flame | Life or Resurrection |
Butterfly | Short-lived - Early Death, Resurrection |
Candle being Snuffed | Time, mortality |
Caterpillar | Life, Metamorphosis |
Celtic Cross | Faith and Eternity |
Chain with Three Links | Trinity, Faith, Odd Fellows |
Cherub | Angelic |
Coffin, Father Time, Darts, Picks/Shovels | Mortality |
Column | Noble Life |
Conch Shell | Wisdom, Reincarnation |
Corn | Ripe Old Age |
Cross | Emblem of Faith, Resurrection |
Crossed Swords | High-ranking military person |
Crown | Glory of Life After Death |
Crown Upon Skull | Triumph of Death |
Cup or Chalice | The Sacrament |
Cypress | Hope |
Dolphin | Resurrection, Salvation, Bearer of Souls Across Water to Heaven |
Door | Entrance to Heaven |
Dove | Innocence, Gentleness, Affection, Purity |
Drapery or Pall | Mourning or Mortality |
Eagle | Courage, Faith, Generosity, Contemplation, Military |
Eye | Humility |
Female Figure | Sorrow, Grief |
Finger Pointing Downward | Calling the Earth to Witness |
Finger Pointing Upward | Pathway to Heaven, Heavenly Reward |
Fish | Faith, Life, Spiritual Nourishment |
Flag | Military, Patriotism |
Fleur De Lys | Perfection, Light, Life, Royalty |
Flower | Life's Frailty, Immortality |
Flying Birds | Flight of the Soul, Rebirth |
Frog | Worldly Pleasure, Sin |
Fruits | Eternal plenty |
Full-Blown Rose | Prime of Life |
Garland | Victory in death |
Grim Reaper | Inevitability of Death |
Gun | Military Service |
Hair Flowing | Penitence |
Hand of God Chopping | Sudden Death |
Hands Clasped | Farewell, Hope of Meeting in Eternity |
Handshakes | Farewell |
Harp | Praise to the Maker, Hope |
Heart | Soul in Bliss, Love of Christ, Devotion, Sorrow, Joy, Mortality |
Heart Pierced By Sword | Virgin Mary, Christ, Repentance |
Heart Flaming | Religious Fervor |
Helmet | Military |
Horns | The Resurrection |
Horseshoe | Protection Against Evil |
Hourglass | Swiftness of Time, Temperance |
Hourglass w/Wings of Time | Time Flying/Short Life |
IHS | Eternity, Christian Symbol: "In His Service |
Imps | Mortality |
ISIS | Rebirth, The Virgin Mary |
Ivy | Friendship and Immortality |
Lamb | Innocence Especially on a Childs Grave, Resurrection |
Laurel | Fame, Victory, Triumph |
Lily or Lily of Valley | Emblem of Innocence and Purity |
Lion | Courage, Bravery, Strength |
Lotus | Purity, Resurrection, Perfect Beauty, Spiritual Revelation |
Masonic Compass and Set Square | Freemasons, Uprightness, Judgment |
Memento Mori | Symbol of Death and Reminder of Mortality |
Menorah | Devine Wisdom |
Mistletoe | Immortality |
Moon | Death, Rebirth, Victory, Sorrow of the Crucifixion |
Morning Glory | Beginning of Life |
Mother and Child | Charity, Love |
Myrtle | Undying Love, Peace |
Naked Figure | Truth, Purity, Innocence |
Oak Leaves and Acorn | Maturity, Ripe Old Age |
Obelisk | Rebirth, Connection Between Earth and Heaven |
Olive Branch | Peace, Forgiveness, Humanity |
Open Book/ Bible | Deceased Teacher, Minister, etc. |
Open Gates | Afterlife, The Soul Entering Heaven |
Orb | Faith |
Owl | Wisdom, Solitude, A Warning of Impending Death |
Pall | Mortality, Mourning |
Palm Branch | Signifies Victory and Rejoicing |
Pansy | Remembrance, Meditation |
Pick | Death, Mortality |
Poppy | Eternal Sleep |
Portals | Passageway to eternal journey |
Pyramid | Resurrection, Eternal Life, Enlightenment, Spiritual Attainment |
Rainbow | Union, Fulfillment of the Promise of Resurrection |
Ripened Fruit | Nourishment of the Soul |
Rod and Staff | Comfort to the Bereaved |
Rooster | Awakening, Resurrection, Courage, Vigilance |
Rope Circle | Eternity |
Roses | Victory, Pride, Triumphant Love, Purity, Brevity of earthly existence |
Scallop Shell | Rebirth, Baptism, Resurrection, Life Everlasting, Pilgrimage of Life |
Scarab | Resurrection, Transcendence |
Scepter | Fortitude |
Scythe | Death, Cutting Life Short, The Final Harvest |
Severed Branch | Mortality |
Shamrock | Irish Descent, Holy Trinity |
Shattered Urn | Old Age |
Sheaf of Wheat | Ripe for Harvest, Divine Harvest, Fruitful Life |
Shells | Pilgrimage of Life |
Shepherd's Crook | Charity |
Skeleton | Death, Life's Brevity |
Skull & Crossed Bones | Death, Crucifixion |
Skull | Transitory Nature of Earthly Life, Penitence, Mortality |
Sleeping Cherub | Innocence (Usually on Childs Grave) |
Smoke | Vanity, Futility of Seeking Earthly Glory |
Snail | Laziness, Sin |
Snake, Encircled | Everlasting Life in Heaven |
Spade | Mortality, Death |
Spider Web | Human Frailty |
Star | Devine Guidance |
Star of David | Unity, Transformation |
Stars and Stripes Around Eagle | Eternal Vigilance, Liberty |
Steps, 3 Tiered | Faith, Hope and Charity |
Sun disc, Winged | Spirituality, Everlasting Life |
Sun Rising | Renewed Life, Resurrection |
Sun Setting | Death |
Sun shining | Everlasting Life |
Swallow | Motherhood, Spirit of Children, Consolation |
Sword, Broken | Life Cut Short |
Sword, Inverted | Relinquishment of Power, Victory |
Sword, Sheathed | Temperance |
Sword | Military |
Swords, Crossed | Life Lost in Battle |
Tablets of the Decalogue | Containing the Text From Exodus and Deuteronomy given to Moses on Mount Sinai as a Symbol of the Old Covenant |
Tetragrammaton | Four Hebrew Letters Y, H, W, H Spelling the True Name of God, Reminder of God's Omnipresence |
Thistles | Remembrance, Scottish Descent, Earthly Sorrow |
Tombs | Mortality |
Torch Inverted | Life Extinguished |
Torch | Immortality, Purification, Truth, Wisdom |
Tree Stump w/Ivy | Head of Family - Immortality |
Tree | Life, Knowledge, The Fall of Man Through sin |
Tree Sprouting | Life Everlasting |
Tree Stump | Life Interrupted |
Tree Trunk | Brevity of Life, Number of Broken Branches Can Indicate Deceased Family Members buried at That Site |
Tree Trunk Leaning | Short Interrupted Life, Mourning |
Triangle | Holy Trinity |
Triqueta (3 Interlocking Circles or Triangles | Eternity, Trinity, Popular Motif on Celtic Crosses |
Trumpeters | Heralds of the Resurrection, Announcement of Soul's Entrance Into Heaven |
Urn | Immortality, Penitence, Death of the Body and It's Return to Dust in the Final Resting Place |
Urn with /Wreath or Crepe | Mourning |
Urn with Blaze | Undying Friendship |
Violet | Humility |
Wheat | Body of Christ |
Wheel | Circle of Life |
Weeping Willow | Emblem of Sorrow, Mourning, Grief |
Willows |
Earthly Sorrow |
Winged Effigies | Flight of the Soul |
Winged Hourglass | Fleetness of Life, Mortality |
Winged Skull | Flight of the Soul From Mortal Man |
Wreath | Victory |
Wreath of Roses | Heavenly Joy and Bliss |
Wreath on Skull | Victory of Death over Life |
Yin Yang Circle | Harmony, Balance, Birth and Death |