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GRAVESTONE SYMBOLS
Chi+rho (XP), the first letters in Greek for Christ. The symbol comes from Emperor Constantine’s vision instructing him to inscribe a ‘heavenly divine symbol’ on the his soldiers’ shields. On a tombstone it signifies the resurrection.
@AbneyParkN16
Chi+rho (XP), the first letters in Greek for Christ. The symbol comes from Emperor Constantine’s vision instructing him to inscribe a ‘heavenly divine symbol’ on the his soldiers’ shields. On a tombstone it signifies the resurrection.
@AbneyParkN16
GRAVEYARD SYMBOLS
IHS is the Latin phrase ‘Iesus Hominum Salvator’ (Jesus saviour of mankind). It‘s roots lie in the 8th-century phrase, ‘dn ihs chs rex regnantium’ (Jesus Christ is king of kings’).
@AbneyParkN16
IHS is the Latin phrase ‘Iesus Hominum Salvator’ (Jesus saviour of mankind). It‘s roots lie in the 8th-century phrase, ‘dn ihs chs rex regnantium’ (Jesus Christ is king of kings’).
@AbneyParkN16
GRAVEYARD SYMBOLS
Broken columns signify lives cut short: those who died young or in the prime of their life.
@AbneyParkN16
Broken columns signify lives cut short: those who died young or in the prime of their life.
@AbneyParkN16
GRAVEYARD SYMBOLS
Skulls or Death’s heads are memento mori, reminders of our mortality. They were very popular gravestone motifs in the 16th and 17th centuries but fell out of fashion by the 1800s.
@theoldchurchN16
Skulls or Death’s heads are memento mori, reminders of our mortality. They were very popular gravestone motifs in the 16th and 17th centuries but fell out of fashion by the 1800s.
@theoldchurchN16
GRAVEYARD SYMBOLS
ANCHORS were used by early Christians to represent the cross when the religion was illegal. On graves the anchor means steadfastness in faith/fidelity, well-grounded hope. The motif may also indicate the resting place of a sailor or fisherman. @AbneyParkN16
ANCHORS were used by early Christians to represent the cross when the religion was illegal. On graves the anchor means steadfastness in faith/fidelity, well-grounded hope. The motif may also indicate the resting place of a sailor or fisherman. @AbneyParkN16
GRAVEYARD SYMBOLS
DOVES are symbols of love linked with Ishtar, Aphrodite, Asherah, Mohammed, Christ, & many others. They signify peace; purity, the Holy Spirit, the soul. Doves became fashionable in the late 1800s as graveyard motifs of hope for life everlasting. @AbneyParkN16
DOVES are symbols of love linked with Ishtar, Aphrodite, Asherah, Mohammed, Christ, & many others. They signify peace; purity, the Holy Spirit, the soul. Doves became fashionable in the late 1800s as graveyard motifs of hope for life everlasting. @AbneyParkN16
GRAVEYARD SYMBOLS
GUARDIAN LIONS are common Asian motifs. They are guardians, manifestations of yin and yang. The male guards the exterior, the female the interior, mouths open in meditation, symbolising life and death with the inhaling and exhaling of breath. 東海花園公墓
GUARDIAN LIONS are common Asian motifs. They are guardians, manifestations of yin and yang. The male guards the exterior, the female the interior, mouths open in meditation, symbolising life and death with the inhaling and exhaling of breath. 東海花園公墓
GRAVEYARD SYMBOLS
The CELTIC CROSS is a syncretic symbol combining the Latin cross and a sacred sun icon revered by ancient Celtic peoples. In cemeteries, the cross indicates the grave of someone of Celtic descent, most often Irish. @AbneyParkN16
The CELTIC CROSS is a syncretic symbol combining the Latin cross and a sacred sun icon revered by ancient Celtic peoples. In cemeteries, the cross indicates the grave of someone of Celtic descent, most often Irish. @AbneyParkN16
GRAVEYARD SYMBOLS
CLASPED HANDS can mean God welcoming the deceased to Heaven, a final farewell, lovers reunited in the afterlife. Cuffs are often different denoting male and female dress: a grave shared by a couple. It can also be a handshake, a Masonic symbol. @AbneyParkN16
CLASPED HANDS can mean God welcoming the deceased to Heaven, a final farewell, lovers reunited in the afterlife. Cuffs are often different denoting male and female dress: a grave shared by a couple. It can also be a handshake, a Masonic symbol. @AbneyParkN16
GRAVEYARD SYMBOLS
STONES atop graves are an ancient Jewish tradition. They keep lingering souls in this world just a little longer to comfort the bereaved. Stones also guard graves from demons. Modern visitors leave stones as a show of love.
Old Jewish Cemetery, Wrocław
STONES atop graves are an ancient Jewish tradition. They keep lingering souls in this world just a little longer to comfort the bereaved. Stones also guard graves from demons. Modern visitors leave stones as a show of love.
Old Jewish Cemetery, Wrocław
GRAVEYARD SYMBOLS
ROSES are ancient symbols of earthly and divine love. Flowers intertwined represent the grave of lovers. Rosebuds indicate the resting place of an infant; broken flowers: untimely death. A stylised Tudor rose is often used on English graves. @AbneyParkN16
ROSES are ancient symbols of earthly and divine love. Flowers intertwined represent the grave of lovers. Rosebuds indicate the resting place of an infant; broken flowers: untimely death. A stylised Tudor rose is often used on English graves. @AbneyParkN16
GRAVEYARD SYMBOLS
A TURBAN atop a Turkish grave is a mark of honour. Use of this funerary motif became popular in the Ottoman Empire c.1600 where the style of turban indicated the status of the wearer. Graveyard turbans are white, signifying purity.
Blue Mosque, Istanbul
A TURBAN atop a Turkish grave is a mark of honour. Use of this funerary motif became popular in the Ottoman Empire c.1600 where the style of turban indicated the status of the wearer. Graveyard turbans are white, signifying purity.
Blue Mosque, Istanbul
