Gravely Speaking

On the Pelton Tomb in the Greenwood Cemetery at New Orleans, Louisiana, the top of the crypt displays urns flanked by two griffins.  The griffin is a mythological beast that has the combined head and wings of the King of the Skies–the eagle–and the muscular body of the King of Beasts–the Lion.  This combination symbolizes the creatures dominance over the Heavens and the Earth.  In Christian symbolism the griffin represents the duality that is Jesus Christ–He is the son of God, a human, but also a part of the Trinity–making him divine.  Christ reigns over the Heavens and the Earth.

Saint Louis Cemetery, Number One, New Orleans, Louisiana

The pineapple won its name because the outside of the fruit looked like a pinecone and the fleshy interior was reminiscent of an apple—hence the name—pine+apple.

Since the early days of Spanish exploration of the Caribbean, the pineapple was recognized as a symbol of welcome if it was placed at the entrance to the village.  In funerary art the pineapple represents hospitality and a good host.

Often symbolism is highly stylized in the metalwork surrounding tombs and crypts. The gate to the Albert Crima Family crypt in the Saint Louis Cemetery, Number One at New Orleans, Louisiana, for example, has a stylized lyre. The lyre is a symbol of Apollo, the Greek god of music. In Christian symbolism it can represent harmony and Heavenly accord and song in praise of the Lord.  In funerary art, however, the lyre can also represent the end of life.

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Saint Patrick Cemetery Number Two, New Orleans, Louisiana

An elaborate fence with marble fence posts and cast iron railings surround the William A. Brady Sr. gravestone within the Saint Patrick Cemetery Number Two at New Orleans.  The cast iron gate is another fine example of the symbolism to be found on the metalwork in cemeteries.

Here an angel on bended knee bows her head with her arms crossed in prayer in front of a tomb topped with a garland-festooned urn with a wreath and two inverted torches.  The imagery is replete with symbolism.  The flames coming from the bottom of the torches are symbolic of the soul. Here the inverted torch represents a life that has been extinguished.  The laurel wreath dates back to Roman times when soldiers wore them as triumphal signs of glory. The laurel was also believed to wash away the soldier’s guilt from injuring or killing any of his opponents. In funerary art the laurel wreath is often seen as a symbol of victory over death.

William A. Brady Sr.

1889-1933

Louise Brady

1904-1922

Eleanore Brady

1872-1957

Odd Fellow’s Rest Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana

The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a fraternal organization that formed in England in the 1700s as a service organization. The American association was founded in Baltimore, Maryland, on April 26, 1819. According to the I.O.O.F. Website, “Thomas Wildey and four members of the Order from England instituted Washington Lodge No. 1. This lodge received its charter from Manchester Unity of Odd Fellows in England.”

Members of the Odd Fellows, like many other society members, choose to be buried in common burial grounds.   There are several Odd Fellows graveyards in the United States including the Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery at New Orleans, Louisiana.  Carved into the lentil of the stone entrance to the cemetery are three links of a chain, the main symbol of the society. Often shown inside the three links are three letters, F L T, which signify the organizations motto: Friendship, Love, and Truth.

Unfortunately, much of the intricately manufactured ironwork on the gates to the entrance have been stolen over the years. However, what remains on the right door of the gates exhibits a multitude of symbolism.

Top panel, right gate

The top panel displays a woman holding a baby with two children cleaving to her skirt, as if they are mourning the loss of a loved one–possibly a member of the Odd Fellows.

Bottom panel

At the top of the bottom panel of the right door, the ironwork displays the All-seeing Eye of God with rays of light emanating over a globe representing the watchful eye of the Deity overseeing the world.  The All-seeing Eye or Eye of Providence can be traced all the way back to the Eye of Horus in Egyptian mythology. On either side of the panel are dual cornucopias which are symbolic of plenty.  Inside the cornucopias are two symbols—the open book with a gavel and the crossed arrows and representing law and order.  At the bottom of the panel is the beehive, well known as a symbol of industry.

Lafayette Cemetery Number 1, New Orleans, Louisiana

The Taylor Dufilho Family Crypt in the Lafayette Cemetery Number 1 at New Orleans, Louisiana, is topped with a flame rising out of a garland-festooned urn.  Here the ironwork surrounding the crypt is repeating the symbol of the flame in the urns on the corners of the fencing.

The flame, like many Christian symbols, has several different meanings—eternal life, religious fervor, and vigilance.  The flame can also represent martyrdom.

Symbolism and funerary art found in cemeteries is not limited to the gravestones.  Rich detail and iconography can also be found in the gates and iron work that surround many graves and adorn mausoleums.  The Cypress Grove Cemetery in New Orleans, Louisiana, has many samples of ornate metal work.  One of the graves is surrounded by iron work topped by thistles.  Unfortunately, the gravestone is missing.

The thistle is characterized by a purple or red flower that rests in a cup-shaped part of the stem and has prickly leaves and thorns that protect it from plant-eating animals. The thistle is in the family Asteraceae.

This flower, like so many symbols in funerary art, represents many different things. For instance, the thistle, with its thorns, can symbolize the Passion of Christ. The thorns on the plant remind the Christian viewer of Christ’s crown of thorns. It is also a symbol of earthly sorrow. After Adam ate of the tree of life, God said to Adam that the ground was cursed to him for disobeying Him and that Adam would eat in sorrow. God said that, “Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee…”.

The thistle is also the floral symbol of Scotland most likely adopted by the Scots because, as legend has it, a Norse army was about to attack a Scottish army encampment when an opposing soldier stepped on a thistle. The soldier cried out alerting the Scots to the presence of the Norsemen. This legend is also likely to be the origin of the Scottish motto, Nemo me impune lacessit, which is translated as No one attacks me with impunity or No one can harm me unpunished. The motto is a fitting slogan for the thistle, as well, because to eat it or pick it, one has to overcome the thorns.