Category Archives: Symbolism

Have you ever heard the expression, “Time Flies”?  This symbol, a winged hourglass, brings that expression to life, so to speak.  A reminder in stone that life is short and that time is fleeting, every minute of every day brings one closer and … Continue reading →

Yesteday, the Indiana Chapter of the Association for Gravestone Studies met at the Waiting Station of the Crown Hill Cemetery in Indianapolis, Indiana, organized by Jeannie Regan-Dinius from the Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology, and Joy Giguere, an history professor … Continue reading →

Detail of the top of the LOUIS H. RAETH gravestone LOUIS H. RAETH                                                                                                                          son of                                                                                                                                            JOHN & SARALDA                                                                                                       RAETH                                                                                                                                        BORN                                                                                                                                               Dec. 30, 1851                                                                                                                                DIED                                                                                                                                               May 21, 1853 As I walk through cemeteries and read the text on the gravestones, the … Continue reading →

Alexander Milne Calder, the eldest of the family of Calder artists, gained fame for over 200 landmark sculptures he completed for Philadelphia’s City Hall including the massive sculpture of William Penn on top of the building.  Calder, like many great artists, earned money … Continue reading →

Many symbols, like the hanging and broken bud, the broken column, and the broken wheel represent the end of life’s journey.  This gravestone in Wunder’s Cemetery in Chicago is carved in limestone in the likeness of a tree with a broken … Continue reading →

The Rosehill Cemetery in Bloomington, Indiana, has many fine gravestones, including the deeply and elaborately carved Moser family monument.  The gravestone has gates opening up to the Heavens.  Between the clouds is depicted a lavish city of beautifully crafted buildings.  … Continue reading →

Last summer on the drive to our vacation in Yosemite, we stopped for a drink at Jamba Juice.  Next to the shop is a small cemetery, the Oak Hill Cemetery.  The churchyard is meticulously kept.  As I strolled through the … Continue reading →