Shapes:

Please note that this list of "Sample Shapes" originally appeared in Betty Ann Milligan and Deborah Trask's A Cemetery Survey, Teachers Manual (Nova Scotia Museum Publication, n.d.) p. 12.

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Motifs

Tombstone Motifs Found in Nova Scotia Cemeteries

For additional information on tombstone imagery, check out the following websites:

• http://www.gravestonestudies.org


• http://home.flash.net/~leimer/symbol.html


• http://www.oldcem.bc.ca/grave_art/symbolism.htm


• http://www.oldcem.bc.ca/grave_art/monuments.htm

Please note that the following list has been reprinted with the author's permission. It appeared originally in Betty Ann Milligan and Deborah Trask's A Cemetery Survey, Teachers Manual, (Nova Scotia Museum Publication, n.d.) 10-11.

DEATH

• Skull – with wings or cross bones; usually called “death’s head”.
• Coffin – usually depicted closed, but sometimes open.
• Hourglass – “As runs the glass / our life doth pass.”
• Sickle or axe – Death the reaper.
• Lamp of life – extinguished. May also represent darkness.
• Trees – (not to be confused with the willow tree) Connecticut marriage trees were trees planted by the bride and groom beside their new house. May represent separation, or life cut down, uprooted.
• Urn – represents earthly repository of all that is mortal flame at top – soul escaping, rising.
• Broken flower – life cut down in bloom
• Harp with broken string – no longer functions
• Wreath – mourning
• Weeping willow – represents the forsaken, those left behind to mourn; also a symbol of Christian constancy, healing. A combination of willow and urn is a particularly popular image

Symbols representing the death of a child:

• Flower bud or broken bud – “Budded on earth to bloom in Heaven”
• Cornucopia – horn of plenty, a full life

CHRISTIAN

• Grapevine – Christ the vine, and we the branches. Could also indicate ripe fruit harvested. Often found in the border of a marker.
• Cross
• Bird – soul
• Dove – Christian constancy and devotion
• Serpent eating its tail – eternity – immortality
• Laurel – victory – the evil of the world is conquered by death.
• Winged cherubs – happy and innocent beings.
• Book or Bible – the person was a Christian.
• Hand pointing to the sky – “Gone Home” hopefully to heaven.
• Ivy leaves – clinging to the cross – Christian constancy.
• Brick wall – with flowers behind: Paradise is a walled garden
• Lily – purity.
• Palm leaves – peace, victory, excellence.
• Crown – heavenly crown

RESURRECTION

• Angel
• Trumpet – “Arise ye dead” – often angels with trumpets
• Rising sun – of righteousness; resurrection – light streaming up to heaven.
• Setting sun – close of earthly pilgrimage.
• Flame from the top of an urn – soul rising.
• Gate opening onto crown and sun

STATION

• Coat of arms – usually on slabs or tablestones for high government officials, Church of England.
• Ships – may denote professions like sea captain; Broken mast – the ship has run its course.
• Scallop shell – usually in border – emblematic of our earthly pilgrimage.

Masonic Symbols:

• Thistle – Scotland
• Heart