Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota

The representation of Hope can be easily found in American cemeteries.  Hope is most often portrayed as a woman standing and leaning against an anchor.  In the example above, Virtue is seated and holding a small anchor in her lap.  In the example below, she is standing but again, holding the anchor.

The anchor is an ancient Christian symbol that has been found in early catacomb burials.  The anchor was used by early Christians as a disguised cross.  The anchor also served as a symbol of Christ and his anchoring influence in the lives of Christians.  Just as an anchor does not let a moored boat drift, the anchoring influence of Christ does not allow the Christian life to drift.

Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minnesota