Category Archives: Symbolism

An image that one is likely to come across in cemeteries where there are high populations of Mexican immigrants is the Virgin of Guadalupe, also referred to as Mother of Guadalupe and Our Lady of Guadalupe.  The Virgin of Guadalupe … Continue reading →

The soap opera, Days of Our Lives, has as their catchphrase, “Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.” The meaning of that catchphrase is clear–life passes by very quickly.  Life measured by the grains of sand … Continue reading →

GILBERT HOVEY GROSVENOR, LL.D. OCTOBER 28, 1875 FEBRUARY 4, 1966 PRESIDENT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SOCIETY 1920 – 1954 EDITOR NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE 1899 – 1954 ELSIE MAY BELL GROSVENOR, LL. D. MAY 8, 1878 DECEMBER 26, 1964 BELOVED WIFE AND MOTHER … Continue reading →

This funerary sculpture of the Virgin Mary can be found in the Mount Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois.  In addition to the symbolism of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which the Virgin Mary points to, is also the image and … Continue reading →

On the massive bronze doors of the Bertram Work Neo-Classical Mausoleum in the Akron Rural Cemetery, in Glendale, Ohio, are several repeating images, one of which is the Ouroboros. This image is also found on the imposing Egyptian Revival mausoleum … Continue reading →

The caduceus is a symbol comprised of two snakes twining around a rod surmounted with wings.  Its history can be traced back to ancient Greece.  The Greeks recognized the caduceus as the symbol of Hermes (in Roman mythology it was … Continue reading →

Not all snakes found on gravestones in cemeteries are bad or represent Satan and sin.  In Greek mythology, for instance, Asclepius was the god associated with healing.  The symbol of the god was a snake coiled around a staff. The … Continue reading →

In one of the most told and retold stories from the Bible, the snake became associated with the fall of man when he whispered in Eve’s ear and encouraged her to eat from the Tree of Life while Adam and … Continue reading →

CHARLES F. TAGGART MAJOR 2ND PENN. CAVALRY DIED OCT. 24, 1863 FROM WOUNDS RECEIVED AT BEALETON STATION, VA. The segmented-top white marble gravestone that marks Major Charles Taggart’s grave is imbued with symbolism.  Draped over the top of the gravestone … Continue reading →

Owen F. Solomon 1829 – September 27, 1859 Carved atop a shaft of white marble rests a pillow with the hat of a soldier.  There are four symbols on this monument: the soldier’s hat, a sword, the laurel wreath, and … Continue reading →