Articles from South Jersey Paranormal Research

Many people enjoy cemeteries. They come for the local history, the art, the architecture, and the peaceful setting. Cemeteries are rich in history with their very own local stories to tell. As I wander through, reading the headstones, one thing that has always stood out to me was the inscriptions and art. Symbols representing the person whose life is now over but is immortalized in stone. You can’t help but wonder who the person really was, who the stonemason/artist was, and why the symbol was chosen.

Some are very obvious as to their meaning. For example, usually a lamb or sleeping baby signifies a child who has passed. A cross, Jewish Star, and other religious symbols designate the person’s religion.

However, other carvings and their meanings are not so obvious. Flowers, for example, carved on a headstone usually have a particular meaning. Roses mean purity, victory, pride. A Pansy means remembrance, while a Poppy stands for eternal sleep. Ivy represents fidelity and eternal life.

However, Fingers carved pointing with the index finger varies to which direction the finger is pointing. The finger pointing up signifies the way to Heaven, while a finger pointing downward means "calling the Earth to witness." If you see an eye carving, it stands for humility. An interesting interpretation of a winged face carving represents the soul in fight or an effigy of the deceased soul.

The obelisk (shaped like the Washington Monument ) is a very common sight in a cemetery, often used to mark a family plot. It too contains symbolism meaning the connection between Earth and Heaven. Many times an urn is placed on a marker, reminding everyone who sees it, of the death of a body and its return to dust. Orbs represent faith and a tree stump symbolizes a life interrupted.

A wonderful source is available on the web listing all the means of carvings, which can be found at “Tomb with a View’s Guide to Gravestone Symbols.” Print out a listing of all the meanings and take it with you the next time you visit a cemetery. You’ll learn quite a bit more about the person whose tombstone you are reading. Who knows, it might even be a “conversation starter” when a paranormal investigator is collecting electronic voice phenomenon.