Powerful Gravestone Symbols And What They Mean

If you’ve ever visited or passed through a cemetery lately, you might have noticed a number of different intricate carvings on the tombstones and wondered what they meant.

Whether it’s poignant statue figures, like angels or lions, or carvings of symbols that seem random and out of place, you can bet that there’s a powerful meaning behind them.

Throughout The Ages

Making a monument to mark the life of a loved one is a ritual that dates back as far as 3,000 BC. The Celtic and Roman cultures were among the earliest to memorialize the deceased by providing a name and title, and stories of any battles they fought.

As times evolved, so did the writings on these monuments. Here’s a list of gravestone symbols and what they mean.

Chains

In medieval times, a person’s spirit was believed to be gripped in place by an internal “golden chain.” The belief made its way to tombstones where such shackles were carved into the surface but they were broken.

This shattering of chains symbolized the end of the spirit’s connection, allowing it to be free.

Handshake Or Clasped Hands

This carving dates back to the Victorian era and represents a farewell handshake to existence on earth and God’s welcoming handshake into heaven.

It may also represent a relationship between the deceased and the loved ones still surviving.

Eagles

There are many types of birds you might see on gravestones and each come with their own meaning. If an eagle is carved into a headstone, its meaning is quite touching.

This majestic bird is used as a symbol of bravery and eternal life. In the Christian religion, eagles are also associated with rebirth.