Greensburg —
Cemeteries contain a wealth of information about a community.
For example, date clusters on grave markers may be a clue that a natural disaster such as an epidemic swept through a community.
Exceptionally large or very tall tombstones, such as those erected during the turn of the century, typically mark the grave of a VIP or socially prominent member of the community. Surnames (last names) on grave markers can be a clue to cultural origins.
Symbols on grave markers usually possess special meanings to those buried there. Common symbols include anchors. The anchor typically symbolizes hope in Jesus Christ and his anchoring influence upon the lives of Christians. In seaside communities, the anchor marked the final resting place of a dedicated seaman.
Birds in flight represent the flight of the soul to the afterlife. Eagles are used to represent a military or American patriotic background. A dove symbolized the Holy Spirit and/or peace. Books on a tombstone usually represent the Bible and religious faithfulness.
The Cross reflects the buried person's belief in Christianity. Crowns represents the glory of life after death, or the deceased's ascension into Heaven.
Gates or bars represents the entrance of the departed into Heaven. Hands with fingers pointing upward usually mean that the deceased has traveled upward to heaven. Two hands grasping one another symbolizes eternal friendship or eternal love, often used for married couples.
A heart can symbolize many things. Chief among these are love. Whether love of God or love of another, such as a spouse or family. The heart is used to symbolize devotion to something or someone.
The hourglass is a symbol of time. The image usually depicts time's passing and the inevitability of death. An hourglass indicates that person's time on earth expired and implies that visitors reading the marker should embrace life because it, much like the flow of the sand in an hourglass, is finite and will eventually end.
Ben Morris, MA, RPA, is an archaeological and historical consultant for the Daily News. He can be reached at 812-932-0298 or bjmorris1935@gmail.com.
Columns
Morris: Thoughts on cemetery symbolism
- Columns
-
-
Camp Lejuene vets may be entitled to medical assistance
Last year, on Aug. 6, President Obama signed into law the “Honoring America’s Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012.”
-
The mound builders of the Woodland Period
About 1000 B.C. marks the beginning of a new period for man in North America.
-
Fit for a king, priced for the common man
In the early 1900’s the art glass market was ruled by the Tiffany family.
-
The Old Copper Indians
The Old Copper Indians, were a unique division of Boreal Archaic, so named because its Indian carriers used raw copper for making specific kinds of knives, spear ponts, socketed axes, gouges, pikes and awls.
-
Home remedies, recipes and the best time to plant your garden
Unique in it’s contents and inexplicably accurate, the “Old Farmer’s Almanac” stands as the oldest continuously published periodical in North America.
-
June flowers on the way?
It looks like the April showers are carrying into May.
-
Historic bar and World War II slave labor
You may remember Tom Keating, who for several years wrote an Indianapolis Star column.
-
Hoosier soil on veterans’ graves
Butch Kennedy and his son Shane did something rather marvelous. When the two were going to Europe some years ago they dug up some Indiana earth from around his land at Smith’s Crossing and took it with them to Europe.
-
The post-war trials of WWI vets
It is appropriate to remember that the United States entered World War I 96 years ago this month, that the Civil War began 152 years ago this month, and that the Desert Storm Cease Fire was this month in 1991.
-
A positive minute: What a time
As I write these words this morning I am also listening to Boston police communications.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Camp Lejuene vets may be entitled to medical assistance
Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla.
Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma
Raw: Japan's WWII Atrocities Under Fire in Seoul
Voters Could Elect LA's First Female Mayor
Raw: Rescuers Pull Tornado Survivors to Safety
Oklahoma Gov: 'Hearts Are Broken' After Tornado
Raw: Walking in a Flattened Okla. Neighborhood
Raw: Rescue Workers Search Oklahoma School
Raw: Witness Describes Scene After Okla. Tornado
Raw: Aftermath of Massive Tornado in Oklahoma
Raw: House Burns After Massive Oklahoma Tornado
Raw: Tornado on the Ground in Oklahoma
Split-second Choice Ended With NY Student Dead
White House Backs 'Shield Law' for Media
Wave of Attacks Kills Scores in Iraq
Pug Life on Display at Wisconsin Festival
Company Promises to Make All Snail Mail Digital
Analyst: Tumblr Fills Void in Yahoo's Offerings
