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…
Tag: photo essay
Why is there a G in the Masonic symbol? THE MASONIC G: It seems like a simple question, “What does ‘G’ in the middle of the Masonic emblem mean?” Finding a simple answer, however, is not so easy. As a teen I joined the Rainbow Girls, which is the youth group associated with the Masonic Temple. They must have thought I had bladder problems, because I constantly excused myself during class. Instead of using the bathroom, I’d poke all over the labyryhthine halls, hoping to discover something mysterious or strange. I never did. Our Rainbow Girl rituals, on the other…
What does FATAL signify on a headstone? FATAL: When I first started visiting historic graveyards, I’d see the word “fatal” on headstones and think, “How macabre!” After doing a little research, I was pleasantly surprised to learn that “fatal” is actually an acronym for “fairest among thousands, altogether lovely.” FATAL is the motto used by the Order of the Eastern Star, a fraternal order related to the Masons. The Order of the Eastern Star was originally for women only, but now allows both men and women to become members, and is open to people of all religions. How to comment:…
What exactly is an epitaph? EPITAPHS: Words of remembrance inscribed on a headstone are called an epitaph. Epitaphs run the gamut from brief phrases, poems, song lyrics and scriptures, to a lengthy list of of the deceased’s attributes. (I recently came across one that read more like a Linked In profile than an epitaph!) What I enjoy about epitaphs is how much personality, and even humor, they add to a cemetery visit. One of my favorite epitaphs can be found in Key West, Florida on the grave of a person who caught flack for being a hypochodriac. A lifetime of…
What does a dove signify on a headstone? DOVE: In general, doves represent innocence, peace, and/or the Holy Spirit. The meaning of a particular dove depends on what it is doing. A dove that appears to be swooping down from above symbolizes a loved one taking the deceased up to heaven. If the dove itself appears dead, as in the photo above, it stands for someone who died young. The tiny tree stump here is another reference to a life cut short. So sad! (How to comment: Please comment about this post on Tui Snider’s Facebook. Leave your link in…
What does a Greek Orthodox cross signify? GREEK ORTHODOX CROSS: Crosses come in many different forms! In the interest of keeping this A to Z post short and sweet, I’ll only discuss one. Anyway… I recently visited a monastery where I was told why the bar at the bottom of the Greek Orthodox cross is tilted: It is a symbolic way of expressing that the “wise thief” who was crucified on the right side of Christ went to heaven, while the unrepentant thief who was crucified on his left side went to hell. (How to comment: Please comment about this…