Cemetery Symbolism Part 1: Animals

Cemetery Symbolism Part 1: Animals

As paranormal investigator's, the majority of us frequent local cemeteries on a regular basis. A good investigator will hear the rumours associated with the cemetery and begin their investigation by researching the history of people buried within the grounds and maybe, the history, of the cemetery.

 Most will take hundreds of photos of the tombstones that represent the lives of those buried there,

spending hours looking for the slightest bit of paranormal activity between the headstones...but, have you ever wondered what all those symbols, the hands shaking, the anchors, actually mean?

 In Australia, we have a diverse cultural background, pioneers from many countries across the globe, plus a vast amount of immigrants over the past 200 years. Our cemeteries represent not only the original pioneers from Europe, but now also those from every corner of the globe, and our tombstones and mausoleums reflect this

Below is a small list of what some of the symbols represent.

ANIMALS:

 Animals representing the deceased is a very old tradition going back to the Egyptians. It was also common in Europe.

• Birds in Flight - These are symbolic of the "winged soul." The representation of the soul by a bird goes back to ancient Egypt.
• Wings - Some older burial art features only wings to convey the symbol of divine mission. Often denote the graves of children, eternal life.
• Dove - An important symbolic animal in Christianity representing the Holy Spirit.  The white dove is referred to in the story of the baptism of Christ. "And John bore record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him" (Bible, John 1:32). The descending dove is a very common motif on grave memorials.
• Seven Doves are representative of the seven spirits of God or the Holy Spirit in its sevenfold gifts of grace. Purity, devotion, Divine Spirit. When shown with an Olive Sprig it means Hope or Promise.
• Eagle - suggests courage and possibly a military career, also the symbol for Saint John.
• Owl - represents wisdom.
• Rooster - Awakening, the Resurrection.
• Swallow - indicates a child or motherhood.

Butterfly - The soul, Although quite rare, it is occasionally seen on graves (most often of children).

 It is symbolic of the resurrection of Christ. The meaning is derived from the three stages of the life of the butterfly—the caterpillar, the chrysalis, and the butterfly. The three stages are symbols of life, death and resurrection. Short-life.

Dog - Signifying the loyalty and that the master was worth loving.

Dolphin - portrays the idea of resurrection.

Dragon - being defeated by St. George depicts triumph over sin.

Fish - indicates faith.

Frog - depicts sin and worldly pleasures, or may represent resurrection.

Hart (male deer) - represented either faithfulness, thirsting for God, or Christ slaying Satan.

Horse - Courage or generosity. An attribute of St. George, St. Martin, St. Maurice and St. Victor, all of whom are represented in Christian art on horseback.

Lamb - This is the most common animal symbol found on a child's grave - representing Innocence in life. The lamb appears throughout the ages with great regularity in Christian art and because it is a symbol of Christ:

"Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!" (Bible, John 1:29).

 The use of the lamb in religious art pre-dates Christianity and appears to have been used first by the Egyptians.

 It signifies purity and innocence. Christ in his sacrificial role and personifies innocence, meekness, gentleness and humility.

Lion - Symbolises the power of God and guards the tomb against evil spirits.

 Like other guardians, the lion's watch is as eternal as the stone of which it is depicted.

The lion also recalls the courage and determination of the souls which they guard, they manifest the spirit of the departed.

Resurrection

• Peacock - symbolized the incorruptibility of flesh, resurrection, the beauty of soul, immortality.
• Phoenix -  symbolized the incorruptibility of flesh, resurrection, the beauty of soul, immortality.
• Serpent- shown swallowing its own tail it represents Eternity.
• Squirrel with a nut - religious meditation or spiritual striving.