Headstone

A headstone, tombstone or gravestone is a marker, normally carved from stone, placed over or next to the site of a burial.

Emblems on tombstones

Special emblems on tombstones indicate several familiar themes in the Christian faith. Examples are:

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• Anchor - Steadfast hope
• Tree trunk- The beauty of life
• Birds-the soul
• Snake in a circle-Everlasting life in Heaven
• Cherub-Divine wisdom or justice
• Broken column-Early death
• Cross, anchor and Bible-Trials, victory and reward
• Crown-Reward and glory
• Dove-Purity, love and Holy Spirit
• Horseshoe-Protection against evil
• Gourds-Deliverance from grief
• Lamb-Innocence
• Swallow-Motherhood
• Hourglass-Time and its swift flight
• Arch-Rejoined with partner in heaven
• Ivy-Faithfulness, memory, and undying friendship
• Laurel-Victory
• Lily-Purity and resurrection
• Mermaid-Dualism of Christ - half God, half man
• Conch shell-Wisdom
• Oak-Strength
• Palms-Martyrdom
• Shattered urn-Old age
• Peacock-Eternal life
• Poppy-eternal sleep
• Column-Noble life
• Garland-Victory over death
• Rooster-Awakening, courage and vigilance
• Shell-Birth and resurrection
• Six pointed star-The God
• Weeping willow-Mourning, gried
• Triangle-Truth, equality and the trinity
• Olive branch-Forgiveness, and peace
• Dolphin-Salvation, bearer of souls to Heaven.
• Skeleton-Life's brevity
• Broken sword-Life cut short
• Crossed swords-Life lost in battle
• Heart-devotion