Headstone
Abbreviations and Symbols
AOH-Ancient Order of Hibernians
BPQE- Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks
CAR- Children of the American Revolution
DAR.- Daughters of the American Revolution
FOE- Fraternal Order of Eagles
FOP- Fraternal Order of Police
F&AM- Free and Accepted Masons
GAR-- Grand Army of the Republic
I.O.R.M.- Improved Order of Red Men
IOF- Independent Order of Foresters
IOOF- Independent Order of Odd Fellows
IOJD- International Order of Job's Daughters
JOAM- Junior Order of American Mechanics
JOUAM- Junior Order of United American Mechanics
K of C- Knights of Columbus
K of P- Knights of Pythias
KT- Knights Templar
LOM- Loyal Order of Moose
MWA- Modern Woodmen of America
NOW-Neighbors of Woodcraft
RA- Royal Academy
PA- Royal Arcanum
RAM- Royal Arch Masons
RNA-Royal Neighbors of America-many times the RNA will only have a small
aluminum state besides the headstone
SAR-Sons of the American Revolution
SFWC-Supreme Forest Woodsman Circle
USA-United States Army
USAF-United States Air Force
USMC-United States Marine Corp
USN-United State Navy
YMCA-Young Men's Christian Association
YWCA-Young Women's Christian Association
WC-Woodmen Circle
WOW-Woodmen of the World
WOW-Women of Woodcraft
Woodmen of the World
Have you ever been to a cemetery and seen a tombstone shaped like a tree trunk or a tree stump? If you have, what you saw was a Woodmen of the World tombstone. This fraternal organization began in 1883 as the Modern Woodmen of America and became a benefit society. Around the turn of the century, a new group evolved, called the Woodmen of the World. The benefit society became involved with selling insurance, and members received a death benefit and the opportunity to have one of the special stones purchased and set on their graves. The distinctive markers came in many shapes, sizes and designs. If one of your ancestors was a member of Woodmen of the World, you might want to contact the company (which is still in existence) at http://www.woodmen.com/ to determine if they have any records on file relating to your ancestor.
The Symbols
Religious:
Angels- Angels mean spirituality and they guard the tomb.
Bible- A single Holy Bible is often found on Christian stones.
Holy Books (2)- on Mormon headstones indicates the Bible and the Book of Mormon.
Holy Books (3)- on Mormon Headstones, these indicate The Scripture of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints- the Bible, Book of Mormon, and Doctrine &
Covenants.
Chalice - Usually used to represent the Sacraments.
Crescent - the deceased was probably a Muslim.
Crown - The soul's achievement and the Glory of life after death.
Cross - the Cross is an emblem of faith. There are many different types of
crosses and each may mean something different. For a good explanation of the
various types of crosses, see
http://www.alsirat.com/symbols/cross.html a part of The City of the Silent.
Heart (Sacred) - Usually found in Catholic cemeteries, this heart refers to the
suffering of Christ for our sins.
Menorah - An emblem of Judaism
Star of David or Mogen David - Recognized as the international symbol of
Judaism.
Mortality:
Arrow- Mortality
Broken Column- This image represents the decay. It usually represents the loss
of the Family head.
Candle being Snuffed- Loss of life.
Coffin- mortality.
Figure with Dart- Mortality
Grim Reaper- Death personified
Hourglass- Time has run out
Scythe- An instrument of the harvest, death cuts us down
Skull and or Skull/Crossed Bones- Death
Spade or Crossed Spade and Shovel- Death
Trade and Occupation: (emblems that might indicate a person's occupation in life)
Barber-Bowl (for bleeding) & Razor
Butcher- an axe, steel knife and cleaver
Farmer- Coulter (type of hoe), flail (threshing implement), swingletree (rod for
beating flax), stalk of corn
Gardener- Rake & Spade
Mason- Wedge & Level
Mariner- Anchor, Sextant & Cross Staff
Merchant- Scales, some type of sign
Minister- Bible
Shoemaker- Leather cutter's Knife, Nippers, Sole cutter & Awl
Smith- Crown, Hammer & Anvil
Teacher- Open Book
Weaver- Loom, Shuttle & Stretchers
Wright- (a worker skilled in the manufacture especially of wooden objects
--usually used in combination, shipwright, wheelwright, Compasses
Resurrection, Eternal Life, Immortality
Angel, Flying or Trumpeting- Rebirth; Resurrection
Bird or Bird Flying- Eternal life, Resurrection
Cross- The Cross means resurrection to many Christians
Dove, Flying- Resurrection
Flame, Light, Lamp or Torch- Immortality of the Spirit, Resurrection
Garland or Wreath- Symbol of saintliness and glory, Victory in death
Horns- The Resurrection
Ivy- Immortality
Rooster- Awakening; Resurrection
Star- Death could not overpower the Light of the Spirit which still shines in
the darkness
Sun- A symbol of light and warmth, renewed life and life everlasting
Trumpeters- Harbingers of the Resurrection
Urn- Immortality (The storing of the vital organs was of extreme importance to
the ancient Egyptians who believed that life would be restored through the vital
organs placed in the urn)
Animals
Birds- Eternal life or resurrection
Butterfly- Short-life
Dog- Implies a good master worthy of love
Dove- Seen in both Christian and Jewish cemeteries, the dove means innocence
and/or peace
Lamb- Usually marks the grave of a child and means Innocence
Lion- The Lion's eternal watch guards the tomb and stands for Courage
Rooster - Awakening; Resurrection.
Plants
Fruits- Eternal plenty as in the fruit of life
Full-Blown Rose-The deceased died in the prime of life
Ivy- Ivy stands for friendship and also immortality
Laurel- A symbol of worldly accomplishment and heroism
Lily- The virgins' flower and also the symbol of innocence and purity
Morning Glory- Signifies the beginning of Life
Oak, Oak Leaves and Acorn- Oak leaves on tombs can stand for power, authority or
victory. Often seen on Military tombs
Palm Branch- Signifies Victory and Rejoicing
Poppy- Eternal Sleep
Roses- Roses signify completion and the brevity of earthly existence
Rosemary- Rosemary is for remembrance
Thistles can also stand for remembrance
Thistle- Deceased was of Scottish descent
Tree or Trees
• A Tree stands for life.
• A Tree Sprouting stands for life everlasting.
• Tree Trunk stands for the brevity of life.
• Stones shaped liked Tree Stumps usually signify that the deceased was a member
of The Woodmen of the World
Weeping Willow Tree- Perpetual Mourning; Grief
Wheat Strands or Sheaves- The divine harvest
Miscellaneous
Broken Ring- The family circle has been severed
Cherub- Cherubs are angelic and signify innocence
Crossed Swords- Military person of high rank
Hands:
• Hands in cemeteries are usually in one of the following four positions;
clasping, praying, pointing, and blessing
* Hand, Pointing Up - Pathway to heaven
• Hands, Clasped - Farewells or the bond of marriage
• Hands, Praying - Asking God for Eternal life
• Hands, Blessing - Blessing of those left behind
Harp- Praise to the God
Heart- Love. Stylized hearts stand for the affection of the living for the dead.
Two joined hearts on a stone mark a marriage
Rod or Staff- Comfort for the bereaved
Stars and Stripes Around Eagle- Eternal vigilance and liberty. Often seen on
military markers Urn with Flame- Undying remembrance