There are some great websites out there for descriptions of symbolism on tombstones!
This is one I use all the time..
Grave Addictions
Our friends at Bibb County, ALGenWeb give the following inscription definitions! Thank you Marsha for sharing!
- This was submitted to the Bibb County GenWeb mailing list.
- B.P.O.E.: Benevolent Protective Order of Elks
- F.L.T.: with each letter in a link of a chain: Friendship, Love and Truth (see I.O.O.F.)
- F.O.E.: Fraternal Order of Eagles
- G.A.R.: Grand Army of the Republic. It was an organization of Civil War Union Army veterans.
- I.O.O.F.: International Order of Odd Fellows (see F.L.T.).
- V.D.M.: verbi Dei minister (Minister of the Word of God).
- W.O.W.: Woodmen of the World. Upright tree stump markers are typical of the fraternity.
- Relect carved on a woman's headstone: she died a widow.
- Consort: she outlived her husband.
- Some examples of engraved symbols include:
- Anchors and Ships: Hope or Seafaring profession
- Arches: Victory in Death
- Arrows: Mortality
- Broken column: Loss of head of family
- Broken ring: Family circle severed
- Bugles: Military (see Trumpeters)
- Butterfly: Short-lived; early death
- Candle being snuffed: Time, mortality
- Cherub: Angelic
- Compass and Square: Masonic emblems
- Corn: Ripe old age
- Cross: Symbol of Christian hope
- Crossed Swords: Officer in the military
- Darts: Mortality
- Doves: The soul, purity, innocence, gentleness
- Father Time: Mortality, The Grim Reaper
- Flowers: Brevity of early existence, sorrow
- Flowers: Condolence, grief, sorrow
- Flying Birds: Flight of the soul
- Fruits: Eternal plenty
- Garlands: Victory in death
- Hand of God Chopping: Sudden death
- Hands of God Chopping: Sudden Death
- Handshakes: Farewell to earthly existence
- Harp: Praise to the Maker
- Hearts: Blissfulness or love of Christ
- Hourglass with wings: Time flying; short life
- Hourglass: Swiftness of time
- Ivy: Friendship and immortality
- Lamb: Innocence
- Laurel: Fame or victory
- Lily or lily of valley: Emblem of innocence and purity
- Morning glory: Beginning of life
- Oak leaves and acorn: Maturity, ripe old age
- Open book or Bible: Deceased teacher, minister, etc.
- Palm Branch: Signifies victory and rejoicing
- Picks and shovels: Mortality
- Poppy: Sleep
- Portals: Passageway to eternal journey
- Rose in full bloom: Prime of life
- Rosebud: Morning of life or renewal of life
- Roses: Brevity of mortal life
- Sheaf of wheat: Ripe for harvest, divine harvest time
- Shells: Pilgrimage of life
- Stars and stripes around eagle: Eternal vigilance, liberty
- Suns: The Resurrection
- Thistles: Remembrance
- Tombs: Mortality
- Torch Inverted: Life extinct
- Tree stump with ivy: Head of family; immortality
- Trees: Life
- Trumpeters: Heralds of the resurrection
- Urn with flame: Undying friendship
- Urn with wreath or crepe: mourning
- Willows: Emblem of sorrow
- Winged effigies: Flight of the soul
- A cenotaph is not a grave marker at all. It is a monument erected in memory of someone who died elsewhere, perhaps at sea.
Surrounding Counties
Hale | Marengo | Dallas | Bibb | Chilton
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