Exploration into... Cemetery Art
Cemetery Artistry
The artistry of the cemetery is often overlooked but the decoration on a tombstone can say a lot about the person beneath it and the people who erected it in their honor. The art of tombstone construction has changed drastically over thousands of years. Trends of great detail to simplicity have come and gone time and time again. The constant is the love, beauty and sincerity behind those who request them.
So the next time you are in a cemetery take a long look around and see what new discoveries you make. It's possible you'll see a cemetery in a whole new light!
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Anchor
Symbol of hope, in honor of someone in the Navy or a seafarer |
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Angel
Symbol of religious belief, resurrection, ascension to the heavens |
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Angel
Symbol of Christian belief, resurrection, ascension to the heavens |
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Angel Praying
Symbol of religious belief, prayer for forgiveness, prayer for safekeeping |
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Angel with Sword
Symbol of religious belief, symbol of victory, symbol of death avenged |
| Photograph coming when available | Angel with Trumpet
Symbol of Christian belief, resurrection, ascension to the heavens |
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Angel Weeping
Symbol of religious belief, deep mourning |
| Photograph coming when available | Arch
Victory over death |
| Photograph coming when available | Arrow
Fragility of life, usually marks an unexpected death |
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Bible
Symbol of religious belief, priest or someone in the religious field |
| Photograph coming when available | Two or Three Books
Traditionally represents Mormon headstones; the Bible and Book of Mormon and sometimes also the Doctrines |
| Photograph coming when available | Broken Column
Loss of the head of the family |
| Photograph coming when available | Broken Ring
Loss of spouse |
| Photograph coming when available | Bugles
Military service |
| Photograph coming when available | Butterfly
Loss of a youth or an unexpected death, ressurection, transformation, symbol of religious belief |
| Photograph coming when available | Chalice
Symbol of religious belief, usually Catholic/Christian, represents the Sacraments |
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Cherub
Symbol of religious belief, loss of a youth |
| Photograph coming when available | Corn
Someone who lived a naturally, long life |
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Cross
Symbol of religious belief, resurrection |
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Cross with Wreath
Symbol of religious belief, victory over death |
| Photograph coming when available | Crossed Swords
Military service, usually someone with a high rank |
| Photograph coming when available | Crown
Symbol of religious belief, victory over death, someone of royal blood |
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Dove
Symbol of religious belief, resurrection |
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Dragon
Symbol of religious belief, bravery, courage |
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Father Time
Recognition of mortality, long life |
| Photograph coming when available | Flame
Eternally lighting a candle to show someone the way home |
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Flowers
Fragility of life |
| Photograph coming when available | Fruits
Usually depicts someone who had a successful and bountiful life |
| Photograph coming when available | Fully-bloomed Rose
Someone who passed in the prime of their life |
| Photograph coming when available | Grim Reaper
Death |
| Photograph coming when available | Hand of God Chopping
Someone who passed unexpectedly |
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Hands
Saying goodbye and showing everlasting support |
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Harp
Giving thanks for life, someone musically adept |
| Photograph coming when available | Heart
Loss of a love, symbol of religious belief |
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Hourglass
Recognition of mortality, showing time passed, more sand in top of the glass (someone young), less sand in the top of the glass (someone older) |
| Photograph coming when available | Imps
Fragility of life |
| Photograph coming when available | Ivy
The longer the vine the longer the lifespan usually |
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Lamb
A youth who has passed away, innocence, purity |
| Photograph coming when available | Laurel
Some who led a prosperous life, victory over death |
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Lily
Cleansing of death from woe, innocence, purity |
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Lion
Courage, bravery, integrity |
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Oak Leaves & Acorns
Someone who lived a naturally, long life |
| Photograph coming when available | Open Doors
Opening the doors to the heavens |
| Photograph coming when available | Pall
Fragility of life |
| Photograph coming when available | Palm Branch
Rejoice in death |
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Pets
Showing reverence to beloved family pets |
| Photograph coming when available | Pomegranates
Spirituality, commitment to religion (usually Christianity) |
| Photograph coming when available | Poppy
Eternal slumber |
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Portraits
Giving an eternal face to those passed |
| Photograph coming when available | Rooster
Resurrection, symbol of religious belief |
| Photograph coming when available | Rosebud
Lost love, death of a youth |
| Photograph coming when available | Seashell
Immortality |
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Skull & Bones
Recognition of mortality, usually someone who died unexpectedly |
| Photograph coming when available | Snake
Immortality |
| Photograph coming when available | Snuffed Candle
Mortality, sometimes someone who died unexpectedly |
| Photograph coming when available | Spade
Fragility of life |
| Photograph coming when available | Stars & Stripes (without or without an eagle)
Victory over death, eternal freedom |
| Photograph coming when available | Sun Rising
Beginning of a new life |
| Photograph coming when available | Sun Fully Shining
Immortality |
| Photograph coming when available | Sun Setting
Fragility of life |
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Tree
Everlasting life, nature enthusiast |
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Urn
Immortality |
| Photograph coming when available | Weeping Willow
Mourning of deceased |
| Photograph coming when available | Winged Face or Skull
Ascension of the soul |
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Wheat
Someone who lived a long life, and deemed successful by their family |
| Photograph coming when available | Wilted Rose
Someone who lived a naturally, long life, symbolizes mourning, loss of a love |
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Wreath
Victory over death |
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Personalized tombstone
A couple buried side-by-side, tombstone makes it appear they are lying next to each other in bed. |
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Personalized tombstone
Detailed tree stump that marks a cut off of life detailed by accents personalizing the deceased |
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Personalized tombstone
Detailed tree stump that marks a cut off of life detailed by accents personalizing the deceased, however on this one the sheets have been left blank... perhaps to later add details of the deceased's family members when they pass |
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Statue
Erections usually in the likeness of the deceased or reflecting the sadness or mourning of the deceased |
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Statue
Erections usually in the likeness of the deceased or reflecting the sadness or mourning of the deceased |
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Statue
Erections usually in the likeness of the deceased or reflecting the sadness or mourning of the deceased |
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Statue
Erections usually in the likeness of the deceased or reflecting the sadness or mourning of the deceased |