Tombstone Symbolism
Families adorn tombstones with the name and dates of birth and death, as well as different symbols that help to tell the story of the loved ones life. A list of symbols and their meanings are listed below. The next time you visit a cemetery, see how many of these symbols you can find.
Anchor - this early Christian symbol of hope has been found as funerary symbolism in the art of the catacombs.
Cross and Anchor- another early Christian symbol referring to Christ as "hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sincere and steadfast" (Hebrews 6:19).
Angel - these "messengers of god" are very popular funerary imagery, often depicted escorting the deceased to heaven or mourning untimely death.
Broken column - symbolizes life cut short.
Broken flower - symbolizes a life terminated.
Clasped hands - a symbol originating centuries ago, the clasped hands symbolize unity and affection even after death.
Column - universally associated with commemoration. The column was used most often as a war memorial.
Cross - symbolizes faith and resurrection and considered the perfect symbol of Christ's sacrifice in the Christian religion. Common variations include the Latin cross, the Greek cross, the Celtic cross, and the Russian or Eastern Cross - Popular for tombstone markers. Crosses can be found on tombs in ironworks, and freestanding and relief ornamentation.
Crown - immortality.
Flowers - flowers symbolize human life and beauty, but also have individual associations.
Daisy - innocence.
Lamb -symbolizes Jesus. Tom Horseman owned the marble works on Washington St. in Owosso and Tom was always proud of his lamb figures laying on top of the headstone. Many can still be seen today.
Lily - symbolizes purity. Often associated with the Virgin Mary and resurrection. A calla lily particularly symbolizes marriage and the lily of the valley is associated with purity and humility.
Oak- because the oak was looked upon as the tree from which the cross was made, it became a symbol of Christ.
Palm - originally a symbol of military victory, it was adapted into Christianity as a symbol of Christ's victory of death. Often seen as an attribute of martyrdom and eternal peace.
Pansy - symbolizes remembrance and humility.
Poppy - sleep. (Remember the Wizard of Oz)
Rose - associated with the Virgin Mary, the "rose without thorns." A red rose symbolizes martyrdom and a white rose symbolizes purity.
God/Eye of God - symbolizes the omnipresence of God. The eye of God enclosed in a triangle represents the Trinity.
Hands - a hand with the index finger pointing upwards symbolizes the hope of heaven. Hands holding a chain with a broken link symbolizes the death of a family member. The hand of God plucking a link of the chain represents God bringing a soul unto himself. A hand holding a heart is a symbol of the Lodge of Oddfellows.
Heart - traditionally a symbol of love, courage and intelligence, the flaming heart signifies extreme ardor. The heart encircled with thorns symbolizes the suffering of Christ. A heart pierced by a sword symbolizes the Virgin Mary, harkening to Simeon's prophecy to Mary at the birth of Christ, "Yea, a sword shall pierce through thine own soul."
Hourglass - the attribute of death and Father Time, the hourglass symbolizes the passage of time and the shortness of life.
Lamb - this symbolizes Christ in his sacrificial role and personifies innocence, gentleness and humility.
Mourning figure - typical early 20th century funerary image.
Obelisk - 19th century Egyptian revival decoration universally associated with commemoration.
Torch - originally the torch was a Greek symbol of life and truth, but the inverted torch in funerary art symbolizes death.
Urn - originating as a repository for the ashes of the dead in ancient times, the urn has evolved into a popular symbol of mourning.
Vessel with flame - represents the eternal flame or the eternal spirit of man.
Weeping willow - a symbol of sorrow and mourning.
Wreath - originating as an ancient symbol of victory, it was adopted into the Christian religion as a symbol of the victory of the redemption. It is now a common memorial symbol.
HEADSTONE ABBREVATIONS HEADSTONE AAONMS....Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine(Masonic)
AASR........ Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite (Masonic)
ABA.......... American Benefit Association
AF&AM..... Ancient Free and Accepted Masons
ALOH........ American Legion of Honor
AMD......... Allied Masonic Degree
AMORC..... Ancient and Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (Rosicrucians)
AMOS....... Ancient Mystic Order of Samaritans (see IOOF)
AOF.......... Ancient Order of Foresters
AOH......... Ancient Order of Hibernians
AOKMC..... Ancient Order of Knights of Mystic Chain
AOUW........Ancient Order of United Workmen
APA.......... American Protective Association
A.UM........ Ancient Order of Mysteries (Masonic)
AUSA.........Association of the United States Army
AUV.......... Association of Union Veterans
B of RTM....Brotherhood of Rail Road Track Men
BARE..........Benefit Association of Railway Employees
BAY............Brotherhood of American Yeomen
BK of M......Black Knights of Molders
BKA............Benevolent Knights Association
BLE.............Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers
BLF&E.........Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen & Engineers
BPOE..........Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
BPOEW.......Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World
BRT............Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen
CAR...........Children of the American Revolution
CBKA..........Commandery Benevolent Knights Association
CBL............Catholic Benevolent Legion
CCTAS........Crusaders-Catholic Total Abstinence Society
CD of A......Catholic Daughters of America
CK of A.......Catholic Knights of America
CMBA.........Catholic Mutual Benefit Association
COOF..........Catholic Order of Foresters
CSA............Confederate States Army
CTAS..........Catholic Total Abstinence Society
DAR...........Daughters of the American Revolution
D.O.A./DA..Daughters of America
DAC...........Daughters of the American Colonists
DAV...........Disabled American Veterans
DOKK.........Dramatic Order Knights of Khorassan (Knights of Pythias)
DoL...........Daughters of Liberty
DOLLUS.....Dames of the Loyal Legion of the United States
DON...........Daughters of the Nile (Masonic)
DUV...........Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War
EAA...........Experimental Aircraft Association
EAU...........Equitable Aid Union
EBA............Emerald Beneficial Association
ECVE..........Clampus Vitus
FAA............Free and Accepted Americans
FAM............Free and Accepted Masons
FCB.............Knights of Pythias
FLT.............Independent Order of Odd Fellows
FMF.............Fleet Marine Force
FOAST.........Fraternal Order of Alaska State Troopers
FOE.............Fraternal Order of Eagles
FOF.............Fraternal Order of Firefighters
FOP.............Fraternal Order of Police
GAR............Grand Army of the Republic
GALSTPTR...German American Legion of St. Peter
GLAUM........Grand Lodge Ancient Order of Mysteries-Masonic Order
GLDS...........Grand Lodge Daughters of Scotia
GUOOF.........Grand United Order of Odd Fellows
HZ...............Haro Zaro
IBBH...........International Brotherhood of Blacksmiths and Helpers
ICBU............Irish Catholic Benevolent Union
IHSV............Red Cross of Constantine (Masonic)
IOA..............International Order of Alhambra
IODE............Independent Order, Daughters of the Empire
IOF..............Independent Order of Foresters
IOGT............International Order of Good Templars
IOH..............Improved Order of Heptasophs
IOHH............International Order of Hoo-Hoo
IOI...............Independent Order of Immaculates
IOJD.............Independent Order of Job's Daughters
IOKP.............Independent Order of Knights of Pythias
IOOF.............Independent Order of Odd Fellows
IOOF-PM.......Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Past Master **
IOR..............Independent Order of Rechabites
IORG.............International Order of Rainbow Girls (Masonic)
IORM............Improved Order of Redmen (Sons of Liberty)
IOStL............Independent Order of St. Luke
IOV...............International Order of Vikings
ISDA.............Italian Sons and Daughters of America
ISH...............Independent Sons of Honor
IUOM............Independent United Order of Mechanics
IWW.............Industrial Workers of the World
JAOUW.........Junior Order-Ancient Order of United Workmen
J.O.A.M........Junior Order of American Mechanics
J.O.U.A.M.....Junior Order of United American Mechanics
K.of C...........Knights of Columbus
K.of P...........Knights of Pythias
K of FM.........Knights of Father Matthew
K of H...........Knights of Honor
K of L............Knights of Loyola
K.M...............Knights of Malta (Masonic)
K.T................Knights Templar
K of SJ..........Knights of St. John
K of STP........Knights of St. Patrick
K of STW.......Knights of St. Wenceslas
K of T............Knights of Tabor
K of TM.........Knights of the Macabees
K.of C...........Knights of Columbus
K. of P..........Knights of Pythias
KC................Knights of Columbus
KFM..............Knights of Father Matthew
KG................Knights of St. George
KGC..............Knights of the Golden Chain
KGC..............Knights of the Golden Circle
KGE..............Knights of the Golden Eagle
KGL..............Knight Grand Legion
KHC.............Knights of Holy Cross
KKK ............Knights of Ku-Klux Klan
KLH.............Knights and Ladies of Honor
KM..............Knights Militant (See KKK)
KM..............Knights of Malta (Masonic)
KMC............Knights of the Mystic Chain
KOL.............Knights of Labor
KOTM..........Knights of the Macabees
KP...............Knights of Pythias
KPC.............Knights of Peter Claver
KSC.............Knights of St. Columbkille
KSF.............Knights of Sherwood Forest
KSL.............Knights of St. Lawrence
KSTG...........Knights of St. George
KSTI............Knights of St. Ignatius
KSTJ............Knights of St. Joseph
KSTM...........Knights of St. Martin
KSTP............Knights of St. Paul
KSTP............Knights of St. Peter
KSTT............Knights of St. Thomas
KT................Knights of Tabor
KT................Knights Templars (Masonic)
LAOH...........Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians
LDG.............Independent Order of Foresters
LGAR...........Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic
LK of A .......Loyal Knights of America
LOL..............Loyal Order Orange Lodge (The Orange Order) {Orange Men}
L.O.M...........Loyal Order of Moose
LOOM...........Loyal Order of the MOOSE
LOVUS..........Legion of Valor of the United States
M.W.A..........Modern Woodmen of America
MAW............Marine Air Wing
M.W.A..........Modern Woodmen of America
MBS.............Mutual Benefit Society
MCL.............Marine Corps League
MOLLUS.......Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
MOOSE.........Loyal Order of the Moose
MOPH...........Military Order of the Purple Heart
MOVPER.......Mystic Order of Veiled Prophets of the Mystic Realm (Grotto)
MRA.............Royal Arcanum
N.O.W...........Neighbors of Woodcraft
NCOA............Non-Commissioned Officers Association (Military Society)
NEOP............New England Order of Protection
NL................Navy League
NOK.............New Order Knights (see KKK)
NSDAR.........National Society Daughters of American Revolution
NSDAR.........National Society Daughters of the American Revolution
NSSUP.........National Society Sons of Utah Pioneers
NU...............National Union
O of A.........Order of Amaranth (Masonic)
O of UF........Order of United Friends
OCF.............Order of Chosen Friends
ODHS...........Des Schwestern Verbandes (Sisters of the Federation
OES.............Order of the Eastern Star
OGC.............Order of the Golden Cross
OSC.............Order of Scottish Clans (St. Andrew's Societies)
OUAM..........Order of United American Mechanics
PF of A.........Patriotic Friends of America
PH...............The Order of Patrons of Husbandry (The Grange)
PM...............Patriarchs Militant (Independent Order of Odd Fellows)
RA...............Royal Academy
RA...............Royal Arcanum
R.A.M..........Royal Arch Masons
R.N.A..........Royal Neighbors of America
RIP.............Requiescat in pace, Latin for REST IN PEACE
RK...............Roman Knights
RMOKHSJ...The Religious and Military Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
RO-AUM......Rosicrucian Order (Masonic)
ROJ.............Royal Order of Jesters (Masonic)
RSGF...........Royal Society of Good Fellows
RSM............Royal and Select Masons
RSTV...........Rite of St. Vaclara
RSTV...........Rite of ST. Vita
RTT..............Royal Templars of Temperance
S.A.L...........Sons of the American Legion
SAR.............Sisters of the American Revolution
SAR.............Sons of the American Revolution
S.A.W.V.......Spanish American War Veteran
SBCL............Saint Bonifazius Catholic Union
SBL..............Society B. Lafayette
SCV..............Sons of the Confederate Veterans
S.C.V.C.W.....Sons of the Confederate Veterans of the Civil War
S of E...........Sons of England
S.F.W.C.........Supreme Forest Woodmen Circle
SMAA...........Scandinavian Mutual Aid Association
SNA-AUM......Shrine of North America (Masonic)
S.O.C.V..........Sons of the Confederate Veterans
SR.................Scottish Rite (Masonic)
ST..................Sons of Temperance
ST.G S o NY....St. George's Society of New York
SUVCW...........Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War
S of St.G........Sons of St. George S.S.M.A..........Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Association
S.U.V.C.W.......Sons of the United Veteran's of the Civil War
SV..................Sons of Veterans
SV.................Sons of Veterans of the United States of America
TCL...............Tall Ceders of Lebanon (Masonic)
TH................Temple of Honor and Temperance-Independent Order of Odd Fellows
TH................Temple of Honor-Independent Order of Odd Fellows
TPHT.............Temple of Honor and Temperance
TROA............The Retired Officer's Association
U.S.A............United States Army
U.S.A.F..........United States Air Force
U.S.M.C.........United States Marine Corp
U.S.N.............United States Navy
UAOD.............United Ancient Order of Druids
UCV................United Confederate Veterans
UDC................United Daughters of the Confederacy
UFL................Union Fraternal League
UFM...............United Friends of Michigan
UOPF..............United Order of Pilgrim Fathers
UR.................The Uniform Ranks designation found on many VFW
W.C................Woodmen Circle
W.O.W............Woodmen of the World
W.O.W............Women of Woodcraft
WKSC.............White Knights of the Southern Cross (See KKK)
YMCA.............Young Men's Christian Association
YWCA.............Young Women's Christian Association
**-Thanks to Doc Gruis who is both PM ans a PG for this correction. IOOF-PM refers to Independent Order of Odd Fellows – Patriarch Militants.” Past master is a Masonic title and the Odd Fellow equivalent is “Past Grand.