Anyone who explores the back roads of Texas will pass by interesting historic graveyards. While visitors can find a great deal of pleasure simply in reading names, dates and epitaphs, they can also decipher the messages ancestors left behind through their use of religious and social symbols. In the 21st century, the meaning behind many of these symbols has been forgotten. While symbols still appear on gravestones and monuments in modern cemeteries, they tend to be more literal than in earlier eras. In a historic graveyard, a squirrel holding an acorn, for example, would have symbolized spiritual striving and meditation. But the same statue in a modern burial ground probably just means someone thought squirrels were cute.
Here are a few brief examples of common symbols you may find in the historic cemeteries of Texas.
Fraternal handshake — When you see a handshake on a grave marker, the gender of the deceased might be indicated by the cuffs on their garments. If the cuffs appear to depict two males, the handshake likely stands for fraternal brotherhood. If one of them has their index finger extended, it means the departed was a member of the Masons.
Marital handshake — A handshake depicting cuffs that appear obviously male and female represents a married couple.
Hand pointing up — A hand depicted with a finger pointing upwards indicates the direction of heaven, where the deceased is presumed to have been destined.
Hand pointing down— The hand of God reaching down from the heavens often implies sudden death.
Rose — Not only do roses represent earthly passion (just think how many are given at Valentine’s Day), but they also stand for heavenly perfection. Roses are associated with the Virgin Mary, who was sometimes called “the rose without thorns,” and they have become associated with women in general. When carved on a headstone, roses nearly always have three leaves representing the holy trinity — Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Hand holding a rose — A rose in full bloom most likely represents a woman in the full bloom of adulthood. If the hand holds a rosebud, it stands for a youngster.
ROSE IN HAND What meaning can you derive from the downward-pointing hand clutching a rose?
Tree stones — Tree stones symbolize the tree of life. In Texas, these eye-catching monuments were often erected by members of the Woodmen of the World fraternal order and bear the Latin phrase Dum tacet clamat — “Though silent, he speaks.”
Oak leaf and acorns — While historic tombstones feature a variety of plants, the oak leaf and acorn are quite common. As symbols, they stand for longevity, patience, faith, power, endurance and strength. The acorn in particular represents humble beginnings.
Urns — Greek-style urns were a popular cemetery motif during the Victorian era. They symbolize the idea of the mortal body being reduced to its barest elements as the soul ascends to heaven.
Wreath — The circular shape of a wreath stands for eternal memory and immortality. Ancient Greeks and Romans often crowned award–win- ning poets, athletes and soldiers with wreaths, so this symbol also indicates victory. As a graveyard symbol, wreaths stand for victory over death.
For a more in-depth descriptions of historic cemetery symbols, read more in Tui Snider’s Understanding Cemetery Symbols: A Field Guide for Historic Graveyards (2017).
