Symbols Used in Memorial Work
and Their Meanings
Acacia - Immortality of the soul.
Acanthus - Heavenly Gardens.
Acorn – Latent greatness of strength.
Alpha (A) – First letter of the Greek alphabet.
Alpha and Omega – The first and the last. Beginning and end.
All-seeing Eye – Omnipresence of God.
Almond – Festivity.
Angel – Messenger of God.
Anchor – Hope, or safety.
Apron – Se4rvice or innocence.
Arch – Victory and hospitality.
Arm – Power.
Axe – A Vow, consecration or defense.
Bible – Charity.
Bleeding Heart – Grief, bereavement.
Bluebell – Symbol of regret.
Butterfly – Representing new life.
Book (closed) – Concealed from Man.
Book (open) – Perfect knowledge.
Broken Arch and Column – Death.
Calla Lily – Representative of marriage and majestic beauty.
Candlestick – Light of the world.
Chalice or Cup – Redemption through Christ’s sacrifice.
Clover – See shamrock.
Cherub (infant head with wings) Protection.
Circle – Eternity.
Circle with Wings – Immortality.
Clematis – Death of Christ.
Columbine – Gentleness.
Cornucopia (horn of plenty) – Abundance.
Crown – Reward and glory.
Crown of Thorns – Passion of Christ.
Crossed Keys – Emblem of Saint Peter.
Crozier (Bishop’s staff) - Authority.
Dome (circle top) – That which comes down from God.
Daisy – Innocence.
Dogwood – Christianity and resurrection.
Door – The way.
Dove – Spirit of God, spiritual peace.
Dove (ascending) – Resurrection.
Eagle – Perfect vision and eternal vigilance.
Eye – Spiritual sight, omnipresence of God.
Fan – Purification, separation.
Festoon (garland of flowers, fruits or leaves hanging in a natural curve) – Memory.
Fig – Prosperity.
Fish – Christ and Baptism (early Christian).
Five-Pointed Star – Five wounds of Christ.
Flaming Heart – Great zeal, constancy.
Flaming Sword – Expulsion from Eden.
Fleur-de-lis (lily) – Purity.
Floral Affusion – Loveliness and beauty.
Flowering Almond – The Virgin. Aaron.
Font – Holy Baptism. Regeneration.
Forget-me-not – True love.
Gate – Entrance to Heaven.
Glove with Wings – Aspiration
Glove with Wings (with serpents added)– Wisdom.
Gothic Floral – Divine authority.
Grape or Grape Vine – Emblem of Christ “I am the Vine.”
Hand – Force
Hands (clasped) – Fellowship or love.
Harp – Praise to God.
Harp (with Scroll) – Music.
Honeysuckle – Resurrection.
Hour Glass – Time and its flight.
Hour Glass with Scythe – Flight of time and certainty of death.
I.H.S. or I.H.C. – Greek letters meaning “Jesus Saviour of Men.”
I.N.R.I. – Roman letters meaning “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews.”
Ivy – Friendship, remembrance.
Heart – Love, piety.
Heart (pierced with arrow) - Charity.
Helmet (winged) – Messenger, courage.
Heptagon (seven sided figure) – Divine abode.
Holly – Happiness and friendship.
Jonquil – Desire.
Keystone – Freedom, construction.
Lamb – Innocence and modesty.
Lamp – Church; light and knowledge.
Laurel – Reward, glory.
Level – Equality.
Lily- Purity, resurrection.
Lily of the Valley – Humility.
Links (three) – Fraternity, light and truth.
Lotus (Egyptian lily) – Eloquence.
Morning Glory – Resurrection, morning.
Myrtle – Love, triumph.
Narcissus – Divine love, sacrifice.
Oak – Strength, endurance, majesty.
Octagon (eight sided figure) – Regeneration.
Olive – Peace, victory.
Omega – Last letter of the Greek alphabet.
Orange Blossoms – Chastity, purity.
Orchid – Beauty, delicacy.
Palms _ Victory and righteousness.
Pansy – Tenderness.
Papyrus (reed) – Love.
Passion Flower or Vince – Crucifixion, Passion of Christ.
Pentagon (five-sided figure) – Divination.
Pine Bough – Boldness, stability and fidelity.
Poinsettia – Birth of Hope.
Pomegranate – Resurrection.
Poppy – Sleep, rest, consolation.
Praying Hands – Sacrifice and friendship.
Primrose – Love, memory, youth and sadness.
Pyramid – Light, strength.
Pyramid and Star – The flight into Egypt.
Rainbow – Promise of eternity.
Ring – Promise.
Rings (interlocking) – Marriage
Rising Sun – Coming light, dawn of new life.
Rock – Firmness, stability.
Rope (twisted) – Love.
Rose – Human love, passion.
Rose (Christmas) – Nativity of our Lord.
Rose (wild) – Love, Love of the Lord.
Rose (with cross) – Love and Christian faith.
Rose (with heart) – Charity, piety and admiration.
Rose (with praying hands) – Worship, devotion, communion with the Lord.
Sacred Heart of Jesus – Love of Christ.
Scroll (with pen) – Literature.
Scroll (with harp) – Music.
Scythe – Death.
Serpent – Wisdom, death.
Shamrock – Trinity.
Shepard’s Crook – Authority, dominion.
Shield – Protection, valor.
Shell – Resurrection.
Ship – Church; carries the Christian across the sea of life. Heaven.
Skull and Crossbones – Brevity of human life.
Sphere – God all-inclusive.
Spire – To inspire to greater things.
Square in Circle – Eternal life.
Staff – Kindness, mercy.
Staff (circle top) Divine light.
Star – Birth.
Star (six points) - Creator.
Star (eight points) – Regeneration.
Star (nine points) – Fruits of the Holy Spirit, love, joy, peace, suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance.
Star of Bethlehem – Purity.
Sub – Spiritual light.
Sunflower _ Glory.
Sword – Victory, triumph, justice, mercy.
Sword (flaming) – Punishment for sin.
Temple – Wisdom.
Tent – Protection.
Thistle – Sin, fall of man.
Three Circles Interlaced – Unity, trinity.
Three Fishes – Symbol of Holy Trinity.
Torch (upright) – Life.
Torch (inverted) – Death.
Triangle – Supreme Being.
Triangles (two interlaced- Hebrew) – Shield of David.
Triangle (three interlaced) – Trinity.
Tulip – Charity, love.
Turtle Dove – Constancy, chastity, virginity.
Urn (heathenish) – Death.
Urn (draped) – Sorrow.
Veil – Renunciation of world. Modesty, mystery.
Vine – Blood of Christ. Followers of Christ.
Violet – Modesty.
Water Lily – Baptism, purification, eloquence.
Web – Industry.
Wheat – Body of Christ.
Wheat (bundle) – Harvest.
Willow – Grief.
Wings – Protection, aspiration.
Winged Globe – Immorality.
Winged Globe (with serpents) Wisdom.
Window – Entrance of light. Vision.
Wood Sorrel – Body and blood of Christ.
Wreath - Memory, rejoicing, victory, beauty, life.
THE CROSS
Cross (Christian) - Symbol of death. Christ's death.
Cross Ansata (with ring on top) - Key of Life.
Calvary Cross (Latin cross with three bases) - Trinity, faith, hope and charity.
Celtic Cross (with nimbus and crossing) - Immortality.
Creek Cross (equal length arms, vertical and horizontal - also called St. George's Cross) - Christianity.
Latin Cross (long shaft or lower arm) - Christian, faith.
Maltese Cross - Valor.
St. Andrew's Cross (equal arms at 45 degree angle) - Martyrdom, humility.
Swastika (oldest known form of cross) - Good fortune.
Tau Cross (shape of the letter T) - Life. Cross of prophecy.
Russian or Slavic Cross (three cross arms, the lower one at an angle) - The inscription, the arms and feet of Christ.
Cross Pattee (four triangles, meeting at points) - Defense of the weak.
Cross Lorraine (two cross arms) - Redemption.