351 cemetery symbols
Search by object, gesture, shape, meaning, organization or visual feature. Every entry separates a likely reading from what the carving cannot prove.
Acacia Sprig
immortality of the soul and Masonic remembrance; may also be botanical ornament outside lodge context
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Acanthus Leaf
enduring life, classical ornament and—in some traditions—the heavenly garden
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Acorn
potential, strength, fertility or immortality through the oak
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Adinkra Nyame Biribi Wo Soro
hope and reliance on God within the Adinkra tradition represented at the African Burial Ground memorial
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Adinkra Sankofa
returning to retrieve valuable knowledge from the past; context should be tied to the specific memorial tradition
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Aloe or Century Plant
endurance, grief and a life that flowers after long waiting
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Alpha and Omega
God or Christ as beginning and end, using the first and last Greek letters
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American Legion Emblem
American Legion affiliation and U.S. veteran identity
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Anchor
hope, steadfastness, Christian faith or a seafaring life
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Anchor and Cross
Christian hope and faith, often read through Hebrews' “anchor of the soul” imagery
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Anchor with Chain
steadfastness, attachment, seafaring identity or life ended if the chain is broken
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Angel Carrying a Child
a child received into heaven, innocence and divine guardianship
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Angel Flying
the soul's ascent, rebirth, heavenly movement or divine messenger imagery
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Angel Guarding a Tomb
protection of the resting place and care for the soul
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Angel Holding Flowers
mourning, remembrance and the flower's own symbolic associations
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Angel Moroni
Latter-day Saint identity when the trumpet-bearing figure matches the recognized emblem
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Angel Praying
intercession, devotion and prayer for the deceased
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Angel Standing
a messenger or guardian associated with spirituality, protection and the passage to heaven
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Angel with Anchor
hope, steadfast faith and safe passage
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Angel with Cross
Christian faith, salvation and guardianship
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Angel with Trumpet
the Last Judgment, resurrection or a heavenly summons
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Angel with Wreath
victory, honor, memory or eternal life
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Ant
industry, diligence and communal effort
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Anvil
blacksmithing, craft, endurance or industrial work
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Arch
victory, passage, heavenly entrance or classical architectural framing
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Army and Navy Union Emblem
veterans organization affiliation when the exact A.N.U. or related badge appears
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Artist's Palette
painting, artistic occupation or creative identity
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Ascending Dove
the soul rising, release or passage to heaven
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Bamboo
resilience, upright character and Buddhist or East Asian cultural associations
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Bee
industry, community, immortality or a fraternal/occupational emblem
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Beehive
industry, cooperation, order and mutual aid; also used by specific organizations
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Bible
Christian faith, clergy or devotion to scripture
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Bird in Flight
the soul's flight, freedom or eternal life
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Blacksmith Tongs
blacksmithing, metalwork and craft identity
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Blessing Hand
a gesture of benediction; finger position can identify a specific Christian or Jewish tradition
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Bouquet
condolence, grief, affection and remembrance; individual flowers may add meanings
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Broken Anchor
life ended, hope tested or a severed earthly bond
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Broken Branch
a life cut short or a family line interrupted
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Broken Chain
earthly bonds severed, death, release of the spirit or a family/fraternal link ended
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Broken Circle
life or relationship interrupted, or simply a damaged/unfinished border
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Broken Clock
time interrupted or a life cut short; sometimes a literal damaged object rather than intentional symbolism
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Broken Column
a life interrupted before its natural completion
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Broken Flower Stem
a life or relationship cut short
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Broken Rosebud
a young life cut short
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Broken Sword
a military or courageous life cut short
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Broken Tree
a life interrupted, sudden loss or a family line cut off
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Broken Wheat Stalk
a life interrupted before the harvest was complete
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Buddhist Lotus
purity and awakening arising from difficult conditions
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Bugle
military service, the call to resurrection or a specific unit tradition
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Buttercup
cheerfulness, youth and simple beauty
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Butterfly
the soul, transformation, resurrection and the shortness of life
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Butterfly Emerging from Chrysalis
transformation from death into renewed spiritual life
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Caduceus
modern medical or military-medical identity; historically distinct from the Rod of Asclepius
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Calla Lily
beauty, purity, resurrection and sometimes marriage
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Calvary Cross
Christian faith; the stepped base is often read as faith, hope and charity
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Camera
photography, documentation or a personal passion
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Candle
the spirit, prayer, light or the brevity of life
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Candle and Cross
Christian prayer, the light of faith and remembrance
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Carpenter's Tools
carpentry, building trades or—in a religious composition—St. Joseph
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Cedar Branch
everlasting life, strength and incorruptibility in biblical or regional contexts
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Celtic Cross
Christian faith in a ringed cross form associated with Celtic revival and regional identity
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Celtic Knot
continuity, eternal life, relationship or Celtic revival identity
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Chalice
the sacraments, Christian ministry and especially Eucharistic devotion
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Chalice and Host
the Catholic Eucharist; often found on clergy memorials
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Cherub
innocence, heaven and memorial art associated especially—but not exclusively—with children
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Chi-Rho
an early Christian monogram formed from the Greek letters chi and rho for Christ
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Christ Figure
explicit Christian devotion; the exact scene or attributes determine the specific meaning
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Chrysanthemum
mourning, longevity or honor; cultural meaning varies sharply by region
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Circle
eternity, wholeness and unending existence
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Clasped Hands
farewell, continuing attachment, marriage, reunion, or fraternal fellowship depending on cuffs and context
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Clock
the hour of death, time remembered or an exact death time when hands are legible
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Closed Book
a completed life, faith, learning or a story no longer being written
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Closed Gate
separation, guarded rest or a literal cemetery/plot motif
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Clouds
the veil between earthly and divine realms, heaven or transcendence
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Clover
the Trinity, luck, Irish identity or simple botanical ornament
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Coffin
mortality, burial and the physical fact of death
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Comet
brief brilliance, celestial hope or a documented astronomical/personal reference
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Compass Rose
direction, guidance, travel, navigation or a personal geographic identity
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Conch Shell
wisdom, spiritual calling or maritime identity depending on tradition
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Crane
vigilance, longevity, fidelity or cultural identity
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Crescent and Star
Islamic identity in many modern contexts, though the motif is not universal across Islamic history
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Crescent Moon
cycles, hope, Islamic-associated identity in some modern settings, or decorative celestial imagery
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Crocus
youthful gladness, renewal and early spring
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Cross Bottony
a Christian cross with trefoil-like ends, often connected with Trinity symbolism
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Cross Fleury
a flower-ended Christian cross associated with flourishing faith and Gothic revival ornament
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Cross Moline
a Christian or heraldic cross with split, curved ends
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Cross Pattée
a broad-ended cross used in Christian, military, heraldic and fraternal settings
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Cross Potent
a cross whose arms end in small crossbars; Christian and heraldic usage
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Crossed Bones
mortality and the remains of the body
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Crossed Fire Axes
fire service, courage and firefighter identity
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Crossed Swords
military identity, battle, rank or readiness
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Crown
reward, glory, sovereignty or triumph in heaven
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Crown and Cross
victory through Christian faith and triumph over death
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Crown of Thorns
Christ's Passion, suffering, sacrifice and redemption
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Crucifix
Christian devotion centered on Christ's crucifixion; especially common in Catholic contexts
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Cube
earthly solidity, monument form and the relationship between earth and heaven in some readings
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Cypress Tree
mourning, death, hope and immortality in Mediterranean and classical traditions
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Daffodil
renewal, youth, beauty and springtime rebirth
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Daisy
innocence, childhood and gentleness
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Daughters of the American Revolution Wheel
DAR affiliation when the characteristic distaff-and-wheel emblem or initials are present
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Death's Head
a skull-like soul effigy common on early markers, emphasizing mortality and judgment
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DeMolay Crown
DeMolay affiliation when the crown and its characteristic points or organization name are present
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Descending Dove
the Holy Spirit descending, grace or divine presence
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Dharma Wheel
Buddhist teaching, the Noble Eightfold Path and the turning of the Dharma
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Diamond
constancy, value, light or a decorative geometric panel
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Dog
loyalty, companionship, vigilance or affection for the deceased
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Dogwood Blossom
Christian sacrifice, resurrection and hope in some North American traditions
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Dolphin
salvation, safe passage and the soul carried to the afterlife in classical-Christian art
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Doorway
passage, heavenly entrance and transition
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Dove
peace, the Holy Spirit, innocence or the soul
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Dove with Olive Branch
peace, reconciliation and biblical hope after the flood
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Dragon
evil overcome, protection, resurrection or East Asian power depending on cultural context
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Draped Urn
mourning and death intensified by the shroud or drapery
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Eagle
courage, national or military identity, spiritual ascent, or St. John in Christian art
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Eagle with Spread Wings
protection, national identity, military service or triumphant ascent
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Easter Lily
resurrection, new life and Christian hope
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Eastern Orthodox Cross
Orthodox Christian faith; usually distinguished by an upper title bar and lower slanted footrest
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Eastern Star
Order of the Eastern Star affiliation when the inverted five-point star contains its characteristic symbols or letters
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Eight-Point Star
regeneration, guidance, hope, a specific faith emblem or decorative geometry
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Elks Emblem
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks affiliation, often shown with an elk head, clock and B.P.O.E.
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Endless Knot
interdependence, continuity and—within Buddhist contexts—the endless cycle of cause and effect
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Eternal Flame
enduring memory, spirit and perpetual remembrance
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Evergreen Wreath
eternal life, continuity and memory
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Extinguished Candle
life ended or the spirit's earthly light gone out
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Eye of Providence
divine watchfulness, providence, Trinity symbolism or Masonic context when paired with other emblems
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Faravahar
Zoroastrian identity and ethical-spiritual symbolism; interpretations vary
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Fern
sincerity, sorrow or humble remembrance
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Fig
prosperity, abundance or eternal life in some symbolic traditions
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Fire Helmet
fire service and firefighter identity
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Five-Point Star
honor, aspiration, military identity, Christ's wounds, or organizational affiliation; details are essential
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Flame
eternity, spirit, faith, memory or transformation
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Flaming Chalice
Unitarian Universalist identity, conscience, community and religious freedom
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Flowering Branch
renewal, memory, family continuity or life beyond death
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Forget-Me-Not
remembrance, enduring affection and a plea not to be forgotten
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Fraternal Order of Eagles Emblem
F.O.E. affiliation when an eagle and organizational initials appear together
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Fraternal Order of Police Star
FOP affiliation or police service when the star emblem includes the organization name or exact initials
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Frog
resurrection, transformation or—within some Christian imagery—worldly sin
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Full Column
a completed or noble life, classical dignity or architectural commemoration
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Gavel
law, judicial service, leadership or lodge office
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Good Shepherd
Christ as protector and guide, often shown carrying or tending a lamb
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Grand Army of the Republic Star
Union Civil War veterans affiliation, typically a five-point star with G.A.R. details
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Grange Sheaf
Patrons of Husbandry or Grange affiliation, often supported by P. of H. initials
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Grapes
the Eucharist, abundance, spiritual fruit or eternal plenty
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Grapevine
Christ, the sacraments, community and spiritual life
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Greek Cross
Christian faith represented by four arms of equal length
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Grim Reaper
death personified, often carrying a scythe or hourglass
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Halo
holiness, sanctity, heavenly status or a conventional attribute of a sacred figure
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Hammer
craft, industry, a trade, fraternal symbolism or strength
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Hand from a Cloud
divine intervention, God receiving the soul, blessing, or a heavenly summons
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Hand Holding a Book
faith, learning, scripture, ministry, or the record of a life
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Hand Holding a Chain
attachment, fellowship, or a broken earthly bond when a link is severed
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Hand Holding a Cross
Christian faith, consolation and trust in salvation
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Hand Holding a Flower
a life remembered through the flower's symbolism; a broken bloom may emphasize an early death
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Hand Holding a Heart
devotion, charity, affection, or a sacred-heart tradition when paired with religious details
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Hand Holding a Scroll
a life recorded, memorial text, achievement or an unfinished story
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Hand Holding a Wreath
memory, victory, honor or a life commemorated
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Hand Holding an Anchor
hope, steadfastness, seafaring identity, or Christian faith
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Hand Pointing Down
the hand of God reaching down, mortality, or sudden death in some traditions
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Hand Pointing Up
hope of heaven, ascent, or the reward of the righteous
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Handshake with Different Cuffs
a bond between two people; contrasting sleeves can suggest spouses or fellowship across death
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Harp
heavenly worship, music, hope or a musician's identity
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Helmet
military service, courage, rank or a classical warrior motif
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Horse
courage, generosity, military identity, travel or a personal occupation
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Hourglass
the passage and limitation of earthly time
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Hourglass on Its Side
time has stopped for the deceased
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Hourglass with Scythe
time and death combined: life passes and is ultimately harvested
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Ichthys Fish
Christian faith and identity
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IHS Monogram
a Christogram derived from the name of Jesus; later Latin expansions are devotional interpretations
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Immaculate Heart
Catholic devotion associated with Mary, often shown pierced and surrounded by flowers
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Improved Order of Red Men Emblem
fraternal affiliation when I.O.R.M. initials and recognized organizational imagery appear; historical terminology should be…
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Interlocking Circles
union, relationship, Trinity or continuity depending on number and context
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Inverted Torch
life extinguished while the flame may still imply enduring spirit
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Ivy
attachment, fidelity and immortality because it remains green
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Ivy Wreath
enduring attachment, memory and evergreen life
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Jerusalem Cross
Christian pilgrimage, the Holy Land and five-cross symbolism
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Key and Cross
Christian access to heaven, St. Peter or church authority
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Keys
spiritual knowledge, authority, St. Peter or access to heaven
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Khanda
Sikh identity, divine knowledge and the relationship of spiritual and temporal responsibility
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Knights of Columbus Emblem
Knights of Columbus affiliation, classically combining shield, fasces, anchor and sword
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Knights of Pythias FCB
Knights of Pythias affiliation; F-C-B stands for Friendship, Charity and Benevolence
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Knights Templar Cross and Crown
Masonic Knights Templar affiliation, often shown as a cross through a crown with chivalric text
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Kohen Hands
Jewish priestly blessing and probable Kohen lineage when the paired-hand gesture is correctly formed
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Labyrinth
the passage or pilgrimage of life
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Ladder
ascent, spiritual progress, perfection or the soul's journey
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Lamb
innocence, Christ and—frequently—childhood
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Lamp
knowledge, learning, spiritual light and immortality of the spirit
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Lantern
guidance, vigilance, memory and light through darkness
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Latin Cross
Christian faith, Christ's crucifixion and hope of resurrection
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Laurel Branch
achievement, honor, victory or distinction
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Laurel Wreath
victory, honor, achievement and memory
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Levite Pitcher
probable Levite lineage when used on a Jewish gravestone
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Lightning Bolt
sudden death, divine power, military identity or an occupational emblem; never infer cause without records
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Lily
purity, restored innocence, resurrection and associations with the Virgin Mary
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Lily of the Valley
humility, purity and a return to happiness
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Lion
courage, guardianship, resurrection or the power of God
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Lions Club Emblem
Lions Clubs International affiliation when the two lion profiles and L are recognizable
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Locomotive
railroad occupation, travel, industrial identity or a fatal incident only when documented elsewhere
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Loom Shuttle
weaving and textile occupation
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Lotus Flower
purity, awakening, rebirth and spiritual emergence in several Asian traditions
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Lyre
music, poetry, classical culture or an artistic occupation
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Maltese Cross
Christian, chivalric, fire-service or organizational identity; the surrounding context is essential
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Masonic Broken Column
mourning for an unfinished life within Masonic memorial tradition, especially when accompanied by a weeping figure or other…
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Medicine Wheel
Indigenous spiritual identity or cultural symbolism; colors, directions and community context vary
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Memento Mori Inscription
a direct reminder to remember death and the brevity of life
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Menorah
Jewish faith, divine presence and communal identity; branch count and setting matter
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Miner's Lamp
mining occupation, guidance and light underground
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Modern Woodmen of America Emblem
Modern Woodmen of America affiliation, usually supported by M.W.A. initials and lodge-style imagery
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Moon
night, rest, cycles, time, Marian imagery or a personal celestial motif
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Moose Lodge Emblem
Loyal Order of Moose affiliation when an elk/moose head appears with L.O.O.M. or lodge details
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Morning Glory
brief life, youth, farewell and resurrection
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Mortar and Pestle
pharmacy, medicine, apothecary work or healing
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Mourner Leaning on an Urn
grief, remembrance and neoclassical mourning imagery
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Myrtle
love, immortality and enduring remembrance
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Native American Church Tipi
Native American Church identity on authorized U.S. veterans markers
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Nightingale
song, remembrance and poetic grief
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Nine-Point Star
Bahá’í identity in many modern memorial contexts, or decorative geometry
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Nine-Pointed Star
Bahá’í identity and the symbolic importance of nine
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North Star
guidance, constancy and finding one's way
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Oak Leaves
strength, endurance, honor and lasting memory
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Oak Tree
strength, rootedness, endurance and the tree of life
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Odd Fellows All-Seeing Eye
Odd Fellows or related fraternal context when the eye appears with links, initials or lodge details
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Odd Fellows Three Links
Independent Order of Odd Fellows affiliation, especially when the links contain F, L and T
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Olive Branch
peace, reconciliation, safety and biblical hope
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Om Symbol
sacred sound and Hindu spiritual identity; also used in other Indian religious traditions
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Open Bible and Cross
Christian scripture and faith; sometimes ministry or teaching
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Open Book
scripture, learning, the Book of Life or a life displayed for remembrance
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Open Gate
entrance to heaven, passage and transition into the afterlife
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Open Hands
supplication, welcome, blessing, surrender, or openness; surrounding text determines the reading
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Order of the Amaranth Emblem
Order of the Amaranth affiliation when exact initials and floral/fraternal elements align
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Order of the Rainbow for Girls Emblem
Rainbow Girls affiliation when the rainbow, pot of gold or organization initials are identifiable
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Ouroboros
eternity, cyclical renewal and life without end
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Owl
wisdom, vigilance, night, mourning or a personal/occupational emblem
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Pair of Fish
Christian identity, abundance, family or an aquatic occupation
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Palm Branch
spiritual victory, martyrdom, triumph over death or eternal peace
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Pansy
remembrance, thoughtfulness and humility
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Papal Cross
Roman Catholic papal or ecclesiastical symbolism with three horizontal bars
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Passion Flower
the instruments and wounds of Christ's Passion
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Patriarchal Cross
Christian ecclesiastical symbolism with two horizontal bars
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Peacock
immortality, resurrection, beauty of the soul and incorruptibility
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Pelican
self-sacrifice and Christ's sacrificial love in medieval Christian symbolism
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Pentagram
a five-pointed star with meanings that include protection, Christian wounds, Wiccan identity and other traditions; orientation…
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Phoenix
rebirth, resurrection and life rising from death
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Pick and Shovel
mining, excavation, labor or cemetery-work symbolism depending on arrangement
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Pine Cone
regeneration, fertility, awakening or eternal life
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Pine Tree
evergreen life, fidelity and regeneration
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Pineapple
hospitality, prosperity and the memory of a generous host
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Plow
farming, labor, cultivation or a life rooted in the land
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Police Badge
law-enforcement service; exact badge design and inscription should confirm the agency
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Pomegranate
resurrection, unity, fertility or abundant life depending on cultural context
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Poppy
sleep, rest, consolation and eternal sleep
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Praying Hands
devotion, prayer, piety, or commending the deceased to God
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Pythian Helmet
Knights of Pythias or chivalric-fraternal identity when paired with K of P, FCB or a shield
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Quill Pen
writing, teaching, scholarship or a life story; “unfinished story” readings require context
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Radiant Sun
everlasting life, divine light, glory or enlightenment
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Radiating Eye
divine watchfulness, providence or fraternal identity when combined with lodge symbols
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Rainbow
covenant, hope, peace, transition or a youth-organization emblem
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Raven
mourning, memory, prophecy or a personal literary motif
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Rebekah Beehive
Rebekah affiliation and the ideals of industry and cooperative work
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Reclining Lion
watchful rest, courage and protection of the tomb
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Rising Sun
renewed life, resurrection, hope and a new beginning
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Robin
hope, remembrance and seasonal renewal
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Rod of Asclepius
medicine, healing and a medical occupation
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Rooster
awakening, vigilance, courage or resurrection
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Rosary
Catholic prayer, devotion to Mary and a life associated with repeated prayer
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Rose
love, beauty, remembrance, Christian devotion or the fullness of life
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Rose Wreath
beauty, love, virtue and memory encircled
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Rosebud
youth, innocence or a life not yet in full bloom
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Rotary Gear
Rotary affiliation when the toothed wheel carries the organization name or exact gear form
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Royal Neighbors of America Emblem
Royal Neighbors affiliation when the initials R.N.A. and recognized organizational motifs appear
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Sacred Heart
Christ's love, sacrifice and Catholic devotion, often shown with flame, cross and thorns
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Sarcophagus Motif
death, burial and classical memorial form
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Scales of Justice
law, judgment, fairness or a legal occupation
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Scallop Shell
pilgrimage, baptism, resurrection and life's journey
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Scroll
life and time unfolding, honor, memorial inscription or a hidden past and future
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Scythe
death as the reaper and life as a harvest
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Sea Shell
journey, resurrection, baptism, fertility or a coastal identity
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Setting Sun
the close of life or death
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Sewing Shears
tailoring, dressmaking, textile work or a personal craft
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Shamrock
Irish identity and, in Christian use, the Trinity
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Shield
protection, faith, military service, family arms or organizational identity
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Ship
seafaring identity, voyage, safe passage or the church as a vessel
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Ship's Wheel
maritime service, navigation and a seafaring life
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Shriners Crescent and Scimitar
Shriners affiliation, commonly recognized by the crescent, scimitar and star
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Sickle
the last harvest, mortality or agricultural identity when paired with crops
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Sickle and Wheat
agriculture, harvest, mortality or a farming occupation
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Single Wheat Stalk
harvest, sustenance, Christian eucharistic imagery or agricultural identity
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Six-Point Star
Jewish identity when used as Magen David, but also a broader historical geometric motif
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Skeleton
death personified or the body's mortality
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Skull
mortality and the certainty of death
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Skull and Crossbones
mortality, bodily death and memento-mori imagery; not automatically piracy
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Sleeping Lamb
a child or innocent soul at rest
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Smoke or Rising Flame
the soul, spirit, prayer or transformation
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Snake
renewal through shedding, wisdom, danger or sin depending on pose and context
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Sons of the American Revolution Cross
SAR affiliation when the Maltese-style cross and organization details match
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Soul Effigy
a winged face representing the soul rather than a literal portrait
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Southern Cross of Honor
Confederate veterans commemoration; identification should rely on the exact cross form and inscription
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Spider Web
the passage of time, fragility, neglect or a decorative Gothic motif
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Spinning Wheel
textile work, domestic industry, craft or folk identity
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Spiral
continuity, journey, transformation or decorative carving; interpretation is highly contextual
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Square
earthly existence, stability, foundation or simple architectural geometry
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Square and Compasses
Freemasonry when the tools appear in the recognized arrangement, often with the letter G
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Squirrel with Nut
spiritual striving, preparation or personal affection
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St Andrew's Cross
an X-shaped Christian cross associated with St. Andrew and Scottish identity
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Stag or Deer
faithfulness, spiritual longing, nobility or the soul seeking God
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Star of David
Jewish identity and faith; also called Magen David
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Starry Crown
heavenly reward, the Virgin Mary, immortality or a fraternal composition
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Stork
birth, family, care and renewal
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Sun and Clouds
heavenly hope, revelation or the passage from earthly sorrow to light
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Sunflower
devotion, faithfulness, light and turning toward the divine
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Surveyor's Compass
surveying, geometry, navigation or—when paired with a square and G—Freemasonry
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Swan
grace, purity, faithful love or the soul's passage
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Sword
military service, courage, justice, martyrdom or a saint's attribute
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Tablets of the Law
the Ten Commandments, Jewish or Christian scripture and divine law
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Tau Cross
Christian cross shaped like the letter T, associated with Franciscan and older biblical traditions
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Teacher's Slate
teaching, schooling, literacy or childhood education
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Thistle
earthly sorrow, endurance, Scottish identity or Christ's crown of thorns
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Three Interlocking Rings
the Trinity, unity or an enduring threefold bond
Open field entry
Three-Link Chain
Friendship, Love and Truth when paired with F-L-T; emblem of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows
Open field entry
Torah Scroll
Jewish learning, scripture, scholarship or devotion
Open field entry
Tree of Life
continuity, family, connection between worlds and enduring life
Open field entry
Tree Stump
a life cut down, naturalistic mourning or—when paired with exact emblems—a fraternal association
Open field entry
Tree Stump with Ivy
a fallen life joined to strength, memory or rebirth
Open field entry
Trefoil
the Trinity or a decorative three-lobed form
Open field entry
Triangle
the Trinity in Christian settings, or a general geometric/architectural form
Open field entry
Triangle in a Circle
Trinity and eternity in some Christian compositions
Open field entry
Triquetra
threefold unity, commonly the Christian Trinity, though the form has broader historical uses
Open field entry
Trumpet
resurrection, judgment, proclamation or military identity
Open field entry
Tulip
love, renewal and the brevity or beauty of life
Open field entry
United Daughters of the Confederacy Emblem
UDC affiliation when the exact organization emblem or initials appear
Open field entry
Upright Lit Torch
life, enlightenment, memory or enduring spirit
Open field entry
Urn
mourning, death and the body as a vessel of the soul; a neoclassical symbol even when burial was not by cremation
Open field entry
Veterans of Foreign Wars Cross
VFW affiliation and overseas military service when the Maltese-cross emblem is exact
Open field entry
Violet
modesty, faithfulness, humility and remembrance
Open field entry
Violin
musical occupation, talent or a personal passion
Open field entry
Weeping Angel
mourning, grief and the sorrow of those left behind
Open field entry
Weeping Willow
mourning, grief and nature lamenting the dead
Open field entry
Wheat Sheaf
a completed life, divine harvest, resurrection or a long fruitful life
Open field entry
Wheel
the cycle of life, travel, industry or a specific trade; spokes and accompanying tools matter
Open field entry
White Shrine of Jerusalem Emblem
White Shrine affiliation when its cross, star and initials are present in the recognized combination
Open field entry
Wilted Flower
grief, fading life and loss
Open field entry
Winged Cherub Head
a soul effigy, heavenly innocence or the transition from mortality imagery to more hopeful iconography
Open field entry
Winged Globe
divine power, eternity and Egyptian-revival solar symbolism
Open field entry
Winged Hourglass
time flies and life passes swiftly
Open field entry
Winged Skull
mortality joined to the flight or survival of the soul
Open field entry
Winged Wheel
swift passage, movement or the Holy Spirit in some nineteenth-century interpretations
Open field entry
Woman Clinging to a Cross
faith amid grief; often linked to the visual tradition of the hymn “Rock of Ages”
Open field entry
Women's Relief Corps Emblem
Women's Relief Corps affiliation, usually associated with Union veterans' remembrance and supported by initials
Open field entry
Woodmen of the World Emblem
Woodmen affiliation indicated by a stump/log composition with axe, maul, wedge, plaque or the motto Dum Tacet Clamat
Open field entry
Woodmen Tree Stump Monument
possible Woodmen of the World affiliation only when paired with organizational tools, plaque, initials or motto
Open field entry
Yew Tree
eternal life, sorrow and the long association of yews with churchyards
Open field entry
Yin-Yang
complementary forces, balance and Daoist-associated identity
Open field entry