Taken from the 2006 “Winona County Historical Society” Woodlawn Cemetery Discovery Walk Brochure
Since ancient times, cemetery symbolism has helped people express their sorrow for the deceased and their religious beliefs about death and the afterlife. The use of stone as a material for grave memorials is itself a symbol since stone represents the qualities of firmness and timelessness. Messages depicted on stone will, in theory, be eternal and commemorate the deceased individual’s life on earth.
COMMON CEMETERY SYMBOLS
Anchor: Hope, Christ as he prevents us from drifting off and becoming lost
Book: Faith, memory, knowledge, the Book Of Life, the Bible
Broken Column: Life cut short, the eventual ruin of us all
Cross: Christian faith, the four elements, hope, love, everlasting salvation
Crown: Honor, glory, immortality
Draped Urn: Sorrow
Angels: Spirituality, guardians of the tomb, guides to the soul, mourners of untimely death of the innocent
Children: Untimely death, purity
Hearts: Love, courage, intelligence
Hands: Are often depicted doing one of four things: clasping, praying, pointing and blessing; symbolizing charity, the final farewell and hope of Heaven
White Dove: Peace, purity, spirituality
Lamb: The Virgin Mary, purity, resurrection, usually a lamb is the symbol on baby’s or children’s stones
Fleur-de-lis: Flame, passion, ardor, the Trinity
Wreath: An ancient symbol of victory; it was adopted into the Christian religion as a symbol of the victory of the redemption
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