40 Symbols Often Carved On Old Headstones That Have Cryptic Double-Meanings

Compared to some other gravestone markings out there, the clasped hands symbol isn’t particularly rare. But it can still be interpreted in a few different ways. It may be a simple goodbye to the deceased, or a message of solidarity beyond death. And, of course, it could well be a touching tribute to the love between a couple.

Know your Bible passages? Then you may recall John 1:29, which says, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” That line is in reference to Jesus Christ, which explains why you may come across images of lambs at burial plots. The animal also denotes virtue and goodness, making it a moving sight on children’s headstones.

An hourglass symbol can be looked at in two very different ways. The first simply signifies death: basically, the deceased’s time is up. The second meaning, however, is much less morbid. It’s a sign of resurrection, as when you flip an hourglass upside down, you’ve essentially reset it. Pretty clever, right?

In Victorian times, lilies were the go-to choice for funeral flower arrangements. Back then, you see, the beautiful bloom represented the cleansing of a person’s spirit after they’d passed away. And by extension, a lily symbol on a headstone denotes virtue and integrity.

At first glance, a bridge symbol on a tombstone might seem a little random. But it’s surprisingly meaningful and actually makes a lot of sense. You see, the structure is supposed to signify the crossing from life to death. Plus, it can also be looked upon as a physical embodiment of time – a route from the past into the future.

Stag symbols carry numerous connotations if you spot one on a gravestone, ranging from knowledge to strength. The animal was a popular choice in the past too, with Christians from the Middle Ages regarding it as a sign of peace and virtue. And the horns have been compared to limbs upon the Tree of Life, so it could represent rebirth as well. That’s a lot to take in!

In terms of meaning, circular headstone symbols are quite simple to understand. Yes, the shape denotes infinity, and it has done for centuries. Yet there are many different types of circle on display today. For instance, some might be cut into the stone, leaving a hole behind. Then again, a collection of words or a flat plate could also form the circles.

Daffodil carvings are beautiful to look at, but why are they carved into certain gravestones? Well, the flower has been known to represent concepts such as resurrection and starting from scratch. Alongside that, daffodils can be interpreted as signs of dreams or devotion as well. They’re not just there for decoration!

If you ever see an eagle carved into a headstone, don’t take it at face value. It doesn’t necessarily mean that the person was an animal lover! Instead, this majestic bird is usually interpreted as a sign of bravery and eternal life. On top of that, eagles are associated with rebirth in the Christian religion too.

Boat symbols on gravestones might not look particularly meaningful, but appearances can be deceptive. These carvings actually carry several different connotations, such as feelings of safety. If life is like an ocean, boats protect us from the ever-changing waves along the way. In other cases, the craft could signify financial gain as well.

Hand symbols can be pretty prominent around gravestones – especially those that point up or down. What do they mean, though? Let’s start with the former. These carvings denote the idea of living on after you’ve passed away, or being allowed into heaven. As for the latter, it might indicate that the person died without warning.

Foxes are well known for their street smarts out in the wild, so their carvings on headstones reflect that as well. Yes, they represent intellect and craftiness. But the markings can also be interpreted in another way. You see, ancient stories from Finland suggest that fox depictions are analogous to overcoming hatred and physical power using your grey matter. Intriguing stuff, wouldn’t you say?

Depending on what you believe, there might already be an obvious connection between death and gateways. On that note, when the latter is carved into a tombstone, it carries a very similar meaning. Simply put, the gates signify an opening to a new plane of existence, whether that’s heaven or another heady realm.

When farmers died in the past, members of their family would receive a gift to commemorate the occasion. Yes, they were handed corn sheaves. Now, that tradition has led to carvings of the aforementioned grain on headstones for departed crofters. You’re unlikely to see the marking on any other grave in the cemetery.

Unlike some other carvings out there today, butterfly designs carry fairly straightforward meanings. They can range from signs of regeneration to the “natural cycle” of life. Plus, the eye-catching insect could be looked upon as a physical representation of a person’s spirit too. They’re often located upon a child’s gravestone.

Who doesn’t love oak trees? They’re quite a sight to behold in the great outdoors! But their leaves carry a lot of symbolism when carved into tombstones. It’s a sign of prestige, robustness and eternal life. And in addition to that, the acorn by itself denotes virility – as well as life.

Scroll symbols are pretty intriguing, right? Could they hint that a writer or scribe is buried in the ground below? Well, not quite. You see, these markings are held to denote concepts of both time and life. Specifically, each unperused rolled-up end of the scroll represents how the duration of a person’s lifespan can’t be predicted. Meanwhile, if the manuscript is being gripped, that symbolizes that an ethereal presence, such as an angel, is watching over your activities.

On their own, carved stars can signify eternal life and aspirations on tombstones. But did you know that different religions utilize specific designs? For instance, “the five-pointed star” is a Christian symbol, denoting the wounds of Jesus Christ before his death. Then, there’s the six-sided shape found in Judaism, Hinduism and other religions from the Orient. Viewed one way, each half is an equilateral triangle, with one inverted and intersecting the other; this is held to depict the relationship between the deity and humans.

The poppy is among the most eye-catching flowers in the world thanks to its bright-red tone. Yet despite that, the plant is largely associated with death when it’s carved into a headstone. Mind you, the symbol does have additional connotations as well. Yes, it’s also a sign of peace and solace for the deceased.

No, a key carving on a gravestone doesn’t necessarily mean that a locksmith is buried below. In fact, the symbol represents the idea of mystic wisdom. That’s cool! Plus, should the keys be gripped by an angel in the markings, that signifies that the person’s spirit will be allowed into heaven.

On certain tombstones, you might catch sight of an opened book carved into the surface. Normally, these designs denote the deceased’s religious beliefs, as the tome stands in for the Bible. The image can signify memories and prayers too, so there’s quite a bit to unpack with this particular symbol.

In Greek mythology, owls were often linked to one of the goddesses. Of course, we’re referring to Athena – Greece’s goddess of wisdom. And the Roman deity associated with the trait, Minerva, was also represented by this feathered friend. As a result of that, the majestic birds are seen as the perfect symbolic representatives of intelligence and sagacity. So yes, that meaning carries over into the gravestone carvings.

Dogs may be a man’s best friend, but their appearance on headstones doesn’t always have positive connotations. During medieval times, the lovable animal would usually be carved into the surface with a lady standing above them. This signified their devotion to the deceased and their positions on the “chivalric” totem pole – right at the bottom! Now, canines pop up on graves for beloved owners.

In England, the Tudor rose is considered to be the country’s de facto crest. Why does it appear on certain gravestones, though? Well, the answer’s pretty simple. In most cases, the symbol marks the resting place of someone with English heritage. Meanwhile, some designs also include stars in the background.

Christian artwork often depicted the likes of St. Maurice, St. George and St. Martin riding horses. It was a simple way of paying the deceased respect. The saints were known for their kindness and bravery, but those features soon became symbolic with the equine animals in the pictures. Due to that, the aforementioned connotations remain the same with horse carvings on tombstones.

Angelic headstones are fairly common, yet they don’t all hold the same meaning. For instance, if you see one that depicts several figures in a group, that denotes heaven. Then again, a sobbing angel carving suggests that the deceased passed away suddenly. And as for those hugging or being held by the ethereal spirits, that’s a sign that the person is getting taken to the afterlife. There’s so many of them!

Looking at it from a purely decorative standpoint, grape carvings in gravestones are visually attractive. Do they hold a specific meaning, though? In short – yes! The fruit denotes affluence and virility, while a different idea suggests that the symbol is a stand-in for Jesus Christ. Talk about varying interpretations.

Let’s be honest here – crop symbols on headstones aren’t the most obviously attractive of decorations. Why would someone opt for that design? Well, the plants signify rebirth. On top of that, they represent a person’s life cycle and seasonal changes too. So there’s more to the wheat than meets the eye.

Unsurprisingly, the sight of a carved child on a gravestone can be pretty upsetting. Should the kid have a skull in their hands, that indicates that a youngster is resting in that spot. But if the symbol includes them standing over an adult, that could mean a mom or dad has been buried there instead.

Back in the medieval times, it was strongly believed that a person’s spirit was gripped in place by an internal “golden chain.” Keeping that in mind, there are tombstones that display such shackles carved into the surface. But their parts might be shattered, signifying the end of the connection for the deceased.

In Greek mythology, the phoenix was a bird that could bring itself back to life. Keeping that in mind, carved symbols of the creature have the same symbolic meaning, signifying rebirth. Along with that, the tombstone image can also be interpreted as a sign of honesty when referring to the deceased.

If you spot a tree design on a gravestone, you might be surprised to hear that it holds two solid meanings. The first is security, which comes from the overhanging branches and leaves. As for the second, the image signifies everlasting life. After all, trees are symbols of comparative permanence and the plants usually outlive us humans.

You’ve no doubt heard “alpha” and “omega” at some point in your life, but do you know what they actually are? On the surface, they’re the opening and closing letters of Greece’s alphabet. Beyond that, though, alpha and omega can be utilized as titles for both God and Jesus Christ. On that note, it should come as no surprise that the letters appear on certain gravestones.

Sometimes, a carved gravestone symbol can be taken at face value without worrying about different connotations. Let’s use tools as an example. Should you spot a design that includes a hammer or a chisel, there’s a good chance that the deceased utilized them while they were alive. The individual likely worked with their hands.

Dragonfly carvings are as eye-catching as they come, mirroring the insects upon which they’re based. Symbolically, the markings represent happiness and metamorphosis. Meanwhile, certain Native American circles believe that free spirits are signified by the sight of dragonflies. It’s interesting stuff. Japan has embraced them as well – the bug forms part of the country’s national crest.

When it comes to carved hearts, some of the symbolism isn’t that difficult to grasp. Yes, the design signifies affection and life itself. But alongside that, it can also denote bravery and intellect. Plus, a heart on a tombstone could serve to highlight the impermanence of a human’s time alive.

If you live in the Mediterranean, you may well have spotted palm branch carvings around headstones. The symbol has traveled beyond that part of the world since its creation, yet what does it mean? Well, the branches of the tree symbolize peace, success, supremacy and immortality. That’s quite a line-up, right?

Yes, anchors mainly appear on tombstones marking a mariner’s grave. But away from that, the carvings can pop up on other gravestones too. In those cases, the metal weights can signify aspirations and loyalty. And here’s something else to consider – Christians from the past dressed their crosses up to look like the heavy metal objects to avoid unwanted attention.

Serpent symbols on gravestones can be traced all the way back to ancient Egypt. Simply put, they denote “life and health.” Mind you, that’s not the only meaning to be gleaned from the carvings. If the reptile is seemingly devouring its tail, that signifies infinity, or everlasting life. It’s a loop with no end!

Out in the wild, lions are considered to be the kings of the jungle. And they serve an equally heady position when carved into gravestones. You see, the animals represent God’s strength, keeping malevolent forces away from the deceased. The designs indicate that the person who passed was brave and resolute too – just like the big cats.