Category Archives: Symbolism

One of the things that I love about cemeteries, large and small, is the beautiful and moving artwork that you come across. The crucifix on the gravestone in the Rock Creek Cemetery at Washington, D.C., is not a traditional representation. … Continue reading →

The rustic movement of the mid-nineteenth century was characterized by designs that were made to look like they were from the country. Elegant and slim curved lines in furniture gave way to bulkier and heavier forms made from pieces that … Continue reading →

One of the most easily identified and plentiful crosses found in the cemetery is the Celtic cross. The Celtic cross is much like the Latin cross with a long stem and crossbeams toward the top third. But the feature that … Continue reading →

The stained and painted glass windows found in the back of many of the mausoleums in large urban city cemeteries are great works of art rarely seen by most people who walk by. Most do not peer into the windows … Continue reading →

The symbol of Jesus Christ hanging on the cross is called a crucifix. This cross demonstrates the suffering of Christ. The word crucifix is from Latin and is the combination of two words—cruci and fixus—which translates to one fixed to … Continue reading →

HARRIET TYLER WIFE OF ROBERT STRETTLE JONES FISHER BORN WILMINGTON VERMONT OCTOBER 21 1839 DIED OCTOBER 16 1905 The cross surrounded by lilies at the top of this round-top gravestone in the Rock Creek Cemetery at Washington, D.C., is called … Continue reading →

SALLIE M. Daughter of Wm. M. & JUDITH A. DISMUKES Born March 18, 1842 Died May 10, 1864 Aged 22 Y’rs. 2 Mo’s & Days Not dead but sleepeth. On this plain rounded-top white marble tablet in the Springhill Cemetery … Continue reading →

The Russian Cross, marking the grave of Michael Boyer 1867 – 1953 in the Lakeside Cemetery at Erie, Pennsylvania, is also known as the Orthodox Cross, the Byzantine Cross, and the Suppedaneum Cross. The features that distinguish the Russian Cross … Continue reading →

SABRINA A. TAYLOR 1815 – 1882 MOTHER OF L.M. TAYLOR, M.D. GEORGE WM. AND WALTER ORR INFANT CHILDREN OF L.M. AND ROSE M. TAYLOR MARIE JOSEPHINE TAYLOR BORN MAY 16, 1873 – DIED MARCH 19, 1927 A cross with a … Continue reading →