Posted by John A Gwinn on January 29, 2010 at 7:16pm
· The term "relict" on a tombstone means that the woman was a widow at the time of her death.· The term "consort" on a tombstone means that her husband survived her.· The term "cenotaph" engraved on a tombstone indicates an empty grave, with the stone erected in honor or memory of a person buried elsewhere (often erected in honor of a person lost at sea or in war)CARVINGS AND THEIR MEANINGS· Arches - victory in death· Arrows - mortality· Bouquets, Flowers - condolences, grief, sorrow· Roses - brevity of earthly existence· Portals - passageway to eternal jouney· Bugles - ressurection and the military· Crossed Swords - high-ranking military person· Flying Birds - flight of the soul· Fruit - eternal plenty· Garlands - victory in death· Thistles - remembrance· Trees - life· Trumpeters - heralds of the resurrection· Willows - earthly sorrow· Morning Glory - beginning of life· Butterfly - short-lived, early death· Ivy - friendship and immortality· Laurel - fame or victory· Oak Leaves & Acorn - maturity, ripe old age· Corn - ripe old age· Lamb - innocence (usually used for children)· Dove - innocence, gentleness, affection, purity· Cherub - angelic· Anchor/ships - hope or seafaring profession· Broken Ring - family circle severed· Broken Column - loss of head of family· Urn with Blaze - undying friendship· Hourglass - swiftness of time· Winged Effigies - flight of the soulfrom the Effingham County (Illinois) website.......
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