Tales from the Grave(stone)

For ages headstones have told stories with inscriptions and symbols. In light of St. Patrick’s Day, we took a closer look at some old Irish headstones and what their engravings mean:

Angels

Angels often represent spirituality and how they are posed adds another layer of meaning- crossed arms mean the angels/ deceased are ready to receive a blessing from God; weeping angels express grief, often for an unexpected death; and angels with open wings symbolize the soul “flying” up to heaven

Anchor

The anchor largely represents a fallen seaman though in Christianity it is also a symbol for hope and steadfastness. The broken chain represents the end of a life.

Celtic Cross

The Celtic cross has roots in both Pagan and Christian traditions. Some believe the circle stands for the sun while others believe it represents the halo of the Jesus Christ.

Circle

With no beginning or end, the circle has long been a popular symbol for eternity.

IHS

The first three letters of the Greek name for Jesus, a gravestone with this symbol designate the grave of a devout Christian.

Ivy

Given its strong nature and ability to hold on, the ivy plant stands for immortality.

Morning Glory

Aptly named, the morning glory in this context represents mourning and farewell.

Rose

An emblem of beauty and love, a rosebud signifies a child’s grave while a rose in partial bloom stands for a young life cut short. A rose in full bloom indicates the grave of someone who died in the prime of their life and a pair of roses intertwined represents the strong bond between a couple.

Sacred Heart

A common symbol of love, this heart is topped with a crown of thorns and is most often depicted with the image of Jesus and represents the immense love God has for humankind.



Winged Heads

The head, sometimes a skull, stands for the soul of the deceased while the wings symbolize its flight to heaven.