

When the dove returned to the ark with an olive branch from the Mount of Olives in its beak, it was a sign of God's forgiveness. This symbol stems from Judeo-Christian culture and the biblical story of Noah and the great flood. Purity, devotion, Divine Spirit.ĭove and Olive Branch - Peace.

Seven doves are representative of the seven spirits of God or the Holy Spirit in its sevenfold gifts of grace. The descending dove is a very common motif on grave memorials. "And John bore record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him" (Bible, John 1:32). The white dove is referred to in the story of baptism of Christ. Modern dogs only imply that the master was worth loving.ĭolphin - portrays the idea of resurrection.ĭove - An important symbolic animal in Christianity representing the Holy Spirit. Vigilance.Ĭocoon or Chrysalis - represents the metamorphosis to the afterlife.Ĭhrysalis - Christian metamorphosis resurrection.ĭog - Dogs often appear at the feet of medieval women, signifying the loyalty and inferior place of each in the chivalric order. Short-life.Ĭock (Rooster) - Awakening to resurrection. The three stages are symbols of life, death and resurrection. The meaning is derived from the three stages of the life of the butterfly-the caterpillar, the chrysalis, and the butterfly. It is symbolic of the resurrection of Christ. Often denote the graves of children, eternal life.īutterfly - The soul, Although quite rare, it is occasionally seen on graves (most often of children). Some older burial art features only wings to convey the symbol of divine mission. The following are some symbolic animal designs:īird/s in flight - These are symbolic of the "winged soul." The representation of the soul by a bird goes back to ancient Egypt. Many grave memorials display incised or three-dimensional animals and these have strong symbolic meanings.
#Departed soul vessel meaning free
Feel free to use these listings in your studies, but do not generate your own list for your own website or anything other than personal use using this one. This list is only a portion of such information that can be found in: “Voices from the Cities of the Dead: A Cemetery Reference Guide to Understanding Terminologies, Gravestone Art, Monuments, Abbreviations, Symbols & Icons” compiled & authored by Dusty Smith (with photographic contributions by Kourtnie James & Dusty Smith) © to Raven’s Loch Publishing House. Keep these simple tips in mind and your cemetery excursions won't end with a call to a lawyer or a trip to the emergency room. Also, keep your safety in mind at all times to prevent any type of personal injury, such as a trip and fall due to uneven or soft ground. Laws and regulations can differ for national cemeteries as well, with stricter regulations in place at a veteran's cemetery, such as the one located in San Diego. (Note: I will also be enhancing this list with my own further research, which will be noted in a different color.)īe sure to be aware of and follow all local laws and statutes when visiting a cemetery, including applying for any necessary permits or permissions needed before making a gravestone rubbing. Symbolism in artwork, whether paintings or on gravestones, reflects the culture which created the work and can have multiple meanings. and Dusty Smith for educational purposes in the field of gravestone studies. This list is provided by The International Association of Cemetery Preservationists, Inc. The following is a list of cemetery symbols and icons.
