​Carved in Stone: The Language of Victorian Gravestones

​The Victorian era, a period often associated with elaborate mourning rituals and a fascination with death, left behind a rich legacy of artistry in its cemeteries. To the modern observer, Victorian gravestones may appear simply ornate, but to those living at the time, they were a deeply personal form of communication, a language of symbols carved in stone that spoke volumes about the deceased and their life.

​Unlike earlier, more somber "memento mori" (remember death) symbols, such as skulls and hourglasses, Victorian funerary art embraced a more romantic and hopeful view of the afterlife. The symbols reflected a belief in reunion in heaven and a celebration of a life well-lived.

​Here is a guide to some of the most common and poignant symbols you might find on a Victorian gravestone:

​Hands:

​Clasped Hands: Often seen on family plots, particularly for a married couple, clasped hands symbolize a final farewell or the hope of a heavenly reunion. The sleeves often provide clues, with a more frilly cuff indicating a woman and a plainer one a man.

​Hand Pointing Upward: A hand pointing toward the heavens signifies the deceased's soul ascending to its final reward.

​Hand Pointing Downward: This is a less common symbol, and can represent God reaching down to take the soul of the deceased.

​Flora:

Roses: The rose, a universal symbol of love, held specific meanings depending on its state. A closed rosebud typically marked the grave of a child under 12, a partial bloom represented a teenager, and a full bloom indicated a person who died in the prime of life.

​Lilies: Lilies symbolize innocence, purity, and resurrection, and are frequently found on the graves of women and children.

​Ivy: As an evergreen, ivy represents faithfulness, eternal life, and undying affection.

Weeping Willow: The drooping branches of the weeping willow evoke sadness, mourning, and earthly sorrow. It was a very popular motif in the late 18th and 19th centuries.

​Other Common Symbols:

Lamb: A lamb is almost exclusively found on the graves of young children, symbolizing innocence and purity.

​Broken Column: A full column symbolizes a noble life, but a broken column indicates a life cut short, often a sudden or untimely death.

​Angels: Angels are God's messengers and guardians. A weeping angel signifies grief and mourning, while a flying angel suggests rebirth and the ascent of the soul to heaven. A cherub often marks a child’s grave.

​Anchor: The anchor is a symbol of hope and is also a common marker for a person who worked at sea.

​Open Book: This can represent the Bible, signifying a life of faith and devotion, or a life story that has been fully told.

​The next time you visit an old cemetery, take a closer look at the headstones. You may find that they are not just memorials, but beautifully carved stories waiting to be read.

Angie Moore

Eternal Care Stone Services