What do the symbols mean on headstones?

A hand with the index finger pointing upward symbolizes the hope of heaven, while a hand with forefinger pointing down represents God reaching down for the soul. Seen as an important symbol of life, hands carved into gravestones represent the deceased’s relationships with other human beings and with God.

What does a cross with a circle around it mean on a headstone?

The most common is the Latin Cross. On some headstones this cross is inscribed in a circle, this is not a different symbol but rather an earlier engraver. Representing the Christian faith, this is the most commonly seen religious symbol.

What are cemetery corner markers?

Headstones come in a number of styles, including: Flat markers, sometimes called “grass markers,” which lie flat on the ground at the head of the grave, flush with the grass. Bevel markers, usually about 8 inches thick, which lie flat on the ground at the head of the grave and rise above the grass.

What does a rock on top of a headstone mean?

These stones remind them that someone they care for was visited, mourned for, respected, supported and honored by the presence of others who’ve visited their memorial. The Hebrew word for pebble is also a word that means “bond.” By placing a stone on the headstone, it bonds the deceased with the visitors.

What does it mean to place a coin on a gravestone?

A coin left on a headstone lets the deceased soldier’s family know that somebody stopped by to pay their respects. If you leave a penny, it means you visited. A nickel means that you and the deceased soldier trained at boot camp together.

What do the different coins mean on graves?

A coin left on a headstone or at the grave site is meant as a message to the deceased soldier’s family that someone else has visited the grave to pay respect. A nickel indicates that you and the deceased trained at boot camp together, while a dime means you served with him in some capacity.

What does a sideways cross symbolize?

Many Christians view the sideways cross as symbolic of Jesus’ laying down the cross for others and their duty to pick up the cross and carry it. To these men and women, it represents sacrificial love. There are also national flags featuring a horizontal cross, including those of Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Iceland.

How can you tell if someone has a headstone?

Go online to a burial website dedicated to locating gravestones: BillionGraves.com and FindAGrave.com are the two leading sites for this purpose. Volunteers take photos of gravestones and regularly upload them to both of these sites.

What is the difference between headstone and marker?

While both a gravestone and a grave marker share a similar purpose in showing who is buried in a specific spot, a headstone is raised above the ground, while a grave marker lays flat against the ground.

What is the meaning of the tombstone symbol?

Tombstone Symbols & their Meanings. Used by the Gnostics and the Copts, it was devised from the ancient Egyptian symbol, ankh, which symbolizes life.

What can you learn from the symbols on a headstone?

If you look closely at the headstones you can learn a lot about the person buried below. You can tell if the person was married, was a child, had a specific religion, died in battle, or was a member of a fraternal order. The next time you visit an old graveyard, make sure you pay close attention to the symbols you see.

What do the two symbols on a Catholic headstone mean?

The two items combine to signify the Catholic rite of Holy Communion. The headstones of priests often bear these symbols. Angelic; the graves of children. Divine wisdom or justice. A cross like shape formed by a combination of two Greek letters, chi (X) and rho (P) corresponding to the CH and R of the word, Christi, hence a symbol for Jesus Christ.

What does it mean when you see a cemetery symbol?

Fingers pointing upward are a very common cemetery symbol. They indicate that the departed has gone to heaven and beckons grieving loved ones to look up. The fleur-de-lis or Lily of France, is a design that appears on many family crests, coats of arms, and in King Arthur’s legends.