Author Archives: gravelyspeaking

The Humble Bee

Posted on September 21, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

The humble bee is a symbol of industry and orderliness.  The bee society is highly organized and stratified, with each member of the hive charged with a task that it does each day, all day long.  The bees leave the hive … Continue reading →

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Knights of the Maccabees

Posted on September 18, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

The metal marker above marks the grave of a member of The Knights of the Maccabees of the World (KOTM OTW).  The marker displays a circle within a circle, with a tent in the inner circle.  The term “tent” signified the … Continue reading →

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The Phoenix

Posted on September 17, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

One of the most famous stories from Greek mythology is the story of the mighty phoenix that is totally consumed when its sets its nest a blaze and hurls itself on the fire.  A newborn phoenix arises from the ashes.  The similarities between … Continue reading →

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A Salute

Posted on September 10, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

Sweet be thy rest O Soldier brave, Let angels guard thy hallowed grave, And while the stars in Heaven flame, Let glory wreath they honored name.

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Andrew Johnson

Posted on September 10, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

Andrew Johnson was born in Raleigh, North Carolina, on December 29, 1808, to Jacob Johnson and Mary McDonough Johnson.  His father died when he was but three years old and his mother was forced to take in weaving and spinning … Continue reading →

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Neither snow nor rain nor …

Posted on September 9, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds” The inscription above is carved above the entrance to the New York James Farley Post Office.  Though the quote, derived from … Continue reading →

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Saint James the Greater

Posted on September 7, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

Saint James, somtimes referred to as James the Greater, was one of the Twelve Apostles.  In some church traditions, James’ mother is reported to be the sister to Jesus’ mother, Mary, making Jesus and James first cousins.  Tradition also has it that … Continue reading →

Posted in Saints, Symbolism | 4 Comments

The Century Plant

Posted on September 6, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

Many Christian symbols have been appropriated because of the qualities of the animal or the plant are held up by the religion.  The peacock, for example, became a symbol of the resurrection because the feathers on the male peacock grow back each … Continue reading →

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The Order of Pythian Sisters

Posted on September 1, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

The metal marker above marks the grave of a woman who belonged to the Order of Pythian Sisters.  If you look at the shield you see two letters P and S outside the inner square.  The P and S stand for … Continue reading →

Posted in Metal Markers | 2 Comments

Modern Architecture

Posted on August 30, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

The Henry Harrison Getty Mausoleum in the Graceland Cemetery in Chicago was designed for a lumber businessman in 1890 upon the death of his wife, Carrie Eliza, by the architectural firm of Adler and Sullivan. The Sullivan in the firm was … Continue reading →

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