Stome cutters Art

· The term "relict" on a tombstone means that the woman was a widow at the time of her death.
· The term "consort" on a tombstone means that her husband survived her.
· The term "cenotaph" engraved on a tombstone indicates an empty grave, with the stone erected in honor or memory of a person buried elsewhere (often erected in honor of a person lost at sea or in war)
CARVINGS AND THEIR MEANINGS
· Arches - victory in death
· Arrows - mortality
· Bouquets, Flowers - condolences, grief, sorrow
· Roses - brevity of earthly existence
· Portals - passageway to eternal jouney
· Bugles - ressurection and the military
· Crossed Swords - high-ranking military person
· Flying Birds - flight of the soul
· Fruit - eternal plenty
· Garlands - victory in death
· Thistles - remembrance
· Trees - life
· Trumpeters - heralds of the resurrection
· Willows - earthly sorrow
· Morning Glory - beginning of life
· Butterfly - short-lived, early death
· Ivy - friendship and immortality
· Laurel - fame or victory
· Oak Leaves & Acorn - maturity, ripe old age
· Corn - ripe old age
· Lamb - innocence (usually used for children)
· Dove - innocence, gentleness, affection, purity
· Cherub - angelic
· Anchor/ships - hope or seafaring profession
· Broken Ring - family circle severed
· Broken Column - loss of head of family
· Urn with Blaze - undying friendship
· Hourglass - swiftness of time
· Winged Effigies - flight of the soul
from the Effingham County (Illinois) website.......