What does a handshake mean on a headstone?
HANDSHAKE: When my field guide to graveyards is complete, it will certainly include an entire chapter on the meaning of hands in cemetery iconography. Hands appear frequently and are used to indicate many different things.
For the purposes of this A to Z post, I have chosen the type of handshake that indicates a married couple. Without seeing the names, you can tell the wife is on the left and the man is on the right due to the jewelry and style of clothing on each. The woman’s hand often appears more delicate than the man’s, as well.
Although the handshake alone is enough to announce to us that this is a married couple, they also chose to add a rope to let us know that they “tied the knot.” Despite it’s use as a motto for the Marine Corps, in this case “semper fidelis” (meaning “always faithful”) likely refers to their union.
I am not sure what the ring on her finger means, but finding a historic headstone as loaded with symbolic imagery as this one is always fires my imagination!
Oh – and speaking of marriage, today’s my wedding anniversary! My hubby and I tied the knot (literally and figuratively) at the Scarborough Renaissance Festival four years ago today. (If you’re curious, I posted a few photos here: My Big Fat Ren Fair Wedding)
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What is the April A to Z Blog Challenge?
Each April, people from all over the world participate in the April A to Z blog challenge, and you can too. It’s a lot of fun and it’s a great way to meet other bloggers. To play along, all you do is make a blog post for each letter of the alphabet during April, then use the blog hop linky to visit as many other bloggers as you can.
Visit other A to Z bloggers:
Find out more about the April A to Z blog challenge, and check out the other participants!
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Tui Snider is an author, speaker, and photographer who specializes in North Texas travel, cemetery symbols, and haunted lore. As she puts it, “I used to write fiction – but then, I moved to Texas!”
Snider’s best-selling books include Paranormal Texas , Understanding Cemetery Symbols, and 100 Things to Do in Dallas - Fort Worth Before You Die.
Snider has several more books in progress, and enjoys connecting with writers and readers all over the globe through social media, her newsletter and her website: TuiSnider.com.
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