Category Archives: Symbolism

Grass Marker Beauty

Posted on July 27, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

Sociologist W. Lloyd Warner was one of the first to study graveyard iconography and burial practices. In 1959 Warner wrote a monograph, The Living and the Dead, where he asserted, “cemeteries are collective representatives which reflect and express many of … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Weeping Angel

Posted on July 19, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

William Wetmore Story (February 12, 1819 – October 7, 1895), the son of Joseph Story—Supreme Court Justice from 1811—1845, was a multitalented Renaissance man. Story was an editor, poet, art critic, and an incredible sculptor. Though trained as a lawyer … Continue reading →

Posted in Angels, Symbolism | 6 Comments

The Four Evangelists

Posted on July 17, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

The Catholic Calvary Cemetery in Erie, Pennsylvania, has many tombs, gravestones, and markers imbued with Christian symbolism. One of the monuments in that cemetery has a display of all four of the Evangelists—St. Mark, St. John, St. Matthew, and St. … Continue reading →

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T.O.T.E.

Posted on June 22, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

THOMAS BAKER BORN NOV. 13 1847 DIED JAN. 18 1896 Farewell my wife and Children all. From you A father Christ doth call. FRANCIS T. Son of T. & M. E. BAKER BORN FEB. 23 1874 DIED OCT. 10 1874 … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism | 5 Comments

The Lamb

Posted on May 26, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

Walk into nearly any American graveyard and you will find tiny little lambs marking the graves of children mostly. These lambs are often found on the tops of gravestones and comes in many sizes and positions—often curled up and sleeping, … Continue reading →

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Allegory vs Realism; Female vs Male Depictions

Posted on May 22, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

A few posts ago, I quoted June Hadden Hobbs, the editor of the Association for Gravestone Studies publication, Markers XXIX, who made an observation about nineteenth-century cemetery design (pages 4 and 5) writing that, “statues of men are historical while … Continue reading →

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A Baby Saved

Posted on May 18, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

IN MEMORY OF VOLUNTEER FIREMEN CO’S No. 1,2,3,4, & 5. & H & L. CO No. 1. ERECTED 1902 Firefighting Companies were vital to all communities which could be swept away by fire.  Entire communities could be lost to flame, … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism | 2 Comments

The Plumed Warrior in Stained Glass

Posted on May 9, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

The plumed warrior in stained glass in the Mount Carmel Cemetery at Hillsdale, Illinois, features an angel wearing armor, carrying a  shield, an wielding a sword indicate that the winged angel represented here is the Archangel Michael, one of three … Continue reading →

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HER CAT, HER ONLY FRIEND

Posted on May 7, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

There has always been a debate between dog and cat lovers about which furry little friend makes the best companion. I have many friends who have cats galore and swear by them, while others like myself, have dogs and always … Continue reading →

Posted in Epitaphs, Symbolism | 2 Comments

Gender differences in Victorian funerary sculpture

Posted on May 1, 2016 by gravelyspeaking

June Hadden Hobbs, the editor of the Association for Gravestone Studies publication, Markers XXIX, , made an observation about nineteenth-century cemetery design (pages 4 and 5) writing that, “statues of men are historical while statues of women are usually allegorical.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Saving Graces, Symbolism | Leave a comment