IN MEMORY OF

EDMUND CHRISTIAN MINOR

FIRST JUDGE

OF THE

LAW AND EQUITY COURT

OF RICHMOND

FEBRUARY 20, 1845

SEPTEMBER 9, 1903

LOVE IS THE FULFILLING

OF THE LAW

KATE NOBLE PLEASANTS

WIFE OF

EDMUND CHRISTIAN MINOR

APRIL 8, 1857

DECEMBER 30, 1925

I HEARD THE VOICE OF THE LORD

SAYING WHOM SHALL I SEND

AND WHO WILL GO FOR US?

THEN SAID I.  HERE AM I: SEND ME.

After the French and British occupations of Egypt, there was a renewed interest in Egyptian architecture and symbolism in America. The evidence of the influence of Egyptian design can be found in nearly every American cemetery, especially large urban cemeteries. The Egyptian symbol that is most commonly found in American cemeteries is the obelisk.  And the most famous obelisk in America is the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. But there are other examples of the influence of the Egyptian Revival in most large urban cemeteries, such as pyramids and large mausoleums that have many features of Egyptian temples–the cavetto cornice that curves into a half circle at the top of the tombs and the heavy columns that are designed to emulate long bundled plants with stylized palm leaves at the top.

The Edmund and Kate Minor lotus column in the sprawling and famed Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, is another example a monument designed in the style of the Egyptian Revival, though, it is a refreshing departure from the ubiquitous obelisk.

According to Egyptian mythology, the lotus flower rises up out of the primordial ooze from which all life was created, opened, and the sun itself arose from the tender pink flower.  The lotus symbolizes creation and rebirth most likely because of its unique ability to bear fruit and flower at the same time.  The lotus also symbolizes the sun because at night the lotus sinks under the water, but rises out of the water in the morning, its flower opening and following the sun during the day, to close again when the sun goes down.