Walk through any American cemetery and you will find headstones adorned with symbols that tell stories about the people buried beneath. From colonial-era death heads to Victorian-era flowers and modern military insignia, these symbols carry deep meaning. Here is a guide to the most common ones.
Early American Symbols (1600s-1700s)
The winged death head (a skull with wings) is one of the earliest cemetery art forms in America, most commonly seen on New England colonial graves. It served as a stark reminder of mortality. Beginning in the early 1800s, Americans replaced the winged death head with more hopeful symbols -- the winged cherub and soul effigy, representing the soul's flight to heaven.
Religious Symbols
- Cross / Crucifix -- Represents eternal life and resurrection in Christianity
- Star of David -- Identifies Jewish graves
- Anchor -- Symbolizes hope that the deceased is "anchored" in heaven; also marks sailors' graves
- Praying hands -- Devotion and submission to God's will
- Open Bible -- Faith in scripture; sometimes shows a specific verse
Flowers and Plants
- Rose -- Love, beauty, and hope. A broken rosebud indicates a life cut short, often found on young people's graves
- Lily -- Purity and innocence, frequently on women's and children's graves
- Weeping willow -- Mourning and grief, extremely popular in the late 1700s and early 1800s
- Oak tree / Oak leaves -- Strength, endurance, and long life
- Ivy -- Faithfulness, memory, and eternal life
Symbols of Life and Death
- Butterfly -- Resurrection and transformation
- Hourglass -- The passage of time; with wings, it means time flies
- Scythe -- The Grim Reaper, or the "harvester of souls"
- Broken column -- A life cut short, the "unfinished" pillar of existence
- Draped urn -- A common Victorian symbol, the drape representing the veil between life and death
- Lamb -- Innocence, typically on a child's grave
Fraternal and Military Symbols
- Compass and square -- Freemasonry
- Chain links (three links) -- Independent Order of Odd Fellows
- Eagle -- Military service, patriotism, or courage
- GAR star -- Grand Army of the Republic (Civil War Union veteran)
Tip for visitors: Next time you visit a cemetery near you, take a closer look at the headstones. Understanding these symbols can turn a simple visit into a fascinating history lesson. Pair this with cemetery photography tips to document what you find.
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