Thursday 17 June 2021

 

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Flower Symbols and Their Meanings on Gravestones
Symbols have been a silent language used on tombstones for centuries. But, it was not until the mid-1800s that this secret code caught on with the ‘common folk’ who could afford to decorate their graves with statues and carvings.
The Victorians were known for their love of ornate designs and this carried on to their gravestones. Stone carvers of the period created works of art. Rural cemeteries became the poor person’s art gallery, offering carvings, statues, and buildings of spectacular craftsmanship.
The Victorians were enamored with flowers, which were known to have their own language. Give a woman a red rose and that signified love, a yellow one meant friendship, and a white rose suggested a new beginning, or a fond farewell.
A Rose is a Rose …
Roses on a tombstone can have several meanings, depending on the number and if the rose is in bud or bloom.
• The rose itself symbolizes love, hope and beauty.
• Two roses joined together signifies a strong bond and is usually found on the grave of a couple.
• A wreath of roses represents beauty and virtue.
• A rose bud indicates the grave of a child. A partial bloom was used to show someone who had died in his or her teen or early adult life – a life cut short. And a full bloom signified someone in the prime of life.
• A broken blossom, whether a rose or any other flower, indicated that someone who died too young.
Consider the Lilies …
Another flower that is abundant in the cemetery is the lily, which stands for innocence and purity. There are several various types of lilies used on gravestones, each with a slightly different meaning.
• Most popular is the Easter lily, which represents resurrection and the innocence of the soul.
• Calla Lilies represent marriage and fidelity.
• Lily of the Valley signifies innocence, humility and renewal.
• The Fleur de Lis is actually a stylized lily representing the Holy Trinity.
• The Daffodil, also of the lily family, indicated grace, beauty and a deep regard. This is why daffodils are abundant in older cemeteries during the spring.
A Flower By Any Other Name …
Other flowers used on gravestones include:
• The daisy represents gentleness and innocence.
• The morning glory suggests mourning, mortality and farewell.
• Greenery is also used to convey unspoken thoughts. Many stones are covered in Ivy to imply faithfulness, undying affection and eternal life.
• The fern was very popular in Victorian times, indicating sincerity and solitude.
• And the palm, another plant associated with Easter, signifying triumph over death and a forthcoming resurrection.
Wander any cemetery and you will discover a secret language communicated through symbols. All it takes is the interest to learn what each generation wished to imply with this language, and the time to let them speak to you while offering interesting insights into someone’s life and time.
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