Have you ever wondered about the symbolism of monuments in the local
cemetery? If so, did you ever think about why a particular symbol was used, or how it
applied to the individual who was memorialized?
When purchasing a monument that you intend to use to memorialize the life of a loved one,
ask the memorialist to show you the various symbols and to explain their meaning.
Professional memorialists will be able to explain the various symbols, as well as, assist
you with a monument design that, with pre-need planning, best represents your life, or,
for at-need planning, best represents the life of a loved one.
I see myself as a strong person, so I would choose the Oak Leak symbol for myself, as it
is the strongest and most durable of all trees. Throughout the world, the oak leaf
symbolizes command and stamina. The oak leaf is often found on the military ranks for
Major and Lt. Colonel.
As a retired professor, I might also like Ivy as it derives from Latin, meaning
"climber," symbolizing both memory, in the sense that like a vine, it goes on
and on, and immortality, in the sense that the vine is ever reaching higher.
The Christian houses of worship have employed symbols since the initial era, for many
purposes. During times of harassment, symbols were used as a covert signal among the
devoted. Symbols were also used as a technique for the teaching of biblical truths to
those who were illiterate. Furthermore, symbols were used as one method to strike a chord
with devotees of God’s supremacy, and dominion over all humanity, and as a method of
memorializing God's marvelous actions in human history.
Just as observing the seasons of the church year is a way of acknowledging that Jesus is
the Lord of Time, using symbols in the church and teaching about their meaning is a way of
proclaiming that the earth is the Lord's, and that He is sovereign over human history.
Symbols are a way of carrying our spiritual awareness out of the sanctuary and into the
created world, into our own human experience.
No symbol is more widely used than the Cross; the symbolism of Christ dying on the cross
is ever present in the symbol. There are many variations of the cross, varying from
Byzantine, Calvary, and Celtic, to Greek, Latin, Lorraine, Passion, Irish, and so forth.
Similar to the cross’ spiritual theme is the Crown of Roses, called a
"garland," representing the rewards of virtue, and originating from French,
meaning "an ornament made with gold threads." Sometimes you may see
"I.H.S.," an abbreviation for "Iesous," the Greek word for Jesus.
However, sometimes, erroneously, "I.H.S." is misinterpreted to mean "In His
Service." I.N.R.I. originated from Latin and is also an abbreviation for the Latin
words "Iesus Nazarenus Rex Iudaeorum," meaning "Iesus of Nazareen –
King of the Jews." The Star is connected with the birth of Christ and represents
birth and life, with the nuance of an escort light from this life to a different life.
I like the character of Rope, too, as it suggests eternity or the extension of life, or
the association between this life and another. Lawyers like the Sword, as it is a symbol
of power, typifying force and might through the ages. On a memorial, the sword signifies
that power still exists.
I will continue to discuss symbolism in subsequent articles.
Have you ever wondered about the symbolism of monuments in the local
cemetery? If so, did you ever think about why a particular symbol was used, or how it
applied to the individual who was memorialized?