Wandering through Elmwood, one may notice several symbols that are repeated throughout the cemetery. I've listed some common ones below, along with pictures as examples and the symbol's meanings.
Angel - There are many angel monuments in Elmwood, and it was a very popular symbol in the 19th century when Elmwood as founded. Angels are symbolic of spirituality and they guard tombs, guide and pray for the soul, and are a reminder to the living to think of the afterlife.
Broken or cut tree - Symbolizes a life cut short. Broken columns also symbolize this. Often, these broken columns or trees have ivy on them, which is a symbol of strength, constancy, and immortality or rebirth.
Odd Fellows symbol - The Odd Fellows are a group descended from the Oddfellows service organizations of Britain. It’s an altruistic organization for the purpose of elevating the character mankind and all around making the world a better place to live. They raise over 775 million a year for relief projects worldwide. Their symbol is three linked rings, sometimes with the letters F, L, and T in them, which stand for friendship, love and truth. Elmwood has a section devoted to members of Odd Fellows and this symbol is on their headstones.
Lion - A symbol of bravery. Used to guard the spirit of the departed.
Obelisk - There are many obelisks in Elmwood. An obelisk is the Egyptian symbol for the sun god Ra, but the shape represents the hope for rebirth or eternal life.
Grapes/Grape leaves or vines - All of these represent the Christian faith.
IHS - This is one symbol that left me very puzzled the first time I saw it. A dollar sign just doesn't seem very appropriate for a gravestone! But it's actually the letters IHS, which stand for the first three letters of Jesus' name in the Greek alphabet. Another meaning is based on the phrase "in hoc signo" which is Latin for "by this sign we conquer," meaning the cross.
Masonic Emblem - A compass inside a circle or triangle, sometimes with a G in the middle. This was an indication that the deceased was a member of the Freemasons.
Angel - There are many angel monuments in Elmwood, and it was a very popular symbol in the 19th century when Elmwood as founded. Angels are symbolic of spirituality and they guard tombs, guide and pray for the soul, and are a reminder to the living to think of the afterlife.
Broken or cut tree - Symbolizes a life cut short. Broken columns also symbolize this. Often, these broken columns or trees have ivy on them, which is a symbol of strength, constancy, and immortality or rebirth.
Odd Fellows symbol - The Odd Fellows are a group descended from the Oddfellows service organizations of Britain. It’s an altruistic organization for the purpose of elevating the character mankind and all around making the world a better place to live. They raise over 775 million a year for relief projects worldwide. Their symbol is three linked rings, sometimes with the letters F, L, and T in them, which stand for friendship, love and truth. Elmwood has a section devoted to members of Odd Fellows and this symbol is on their headstones.
Lion - A symbol of bravery. Used to guard the spirit of the departed.
Obelisk - There are many obelisks in Elmwood. An obelisk is the Egyptian symbol for the sun god Ra, but the shape represents the hope for rebirth or eternal life.
Grapes/Grape leaves or vines - All of these represent the Christian faith.
IHS - This is one symbol that left me very puzzled the first time I saw it. A dollar sign just doesn't seem very appropriate for a gravestone! But it's actually the letters IHS, which stand for the first three letters of Jesus' name in the Greek alphabet. Another meaning is based on the phrase "in hoc signo" which is Latin for "by this sign we conquer," meaning the cross.
Masonic Emblem - A compass inside a circle or triangle, sometimes with a G in the middle. This was an indication that the deceased was a member of the Freemasons.
Works Cited
"Find A Grave - Millions of Cemetery Records." Find A Grave. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.findagrave.com/index.html>.
"Gravestone Symbolism." Gravestone Symbolism. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.graveaddiction.com/symbol.html>.
"Homepage." Elmwood Cemetery. Elmwood Cemetery, n.d. Web. 12 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.elmwoodcemetery.org/>.
Magness, Perre, and Murray Riss. Elmwood 2002: In the Shadows of the Elms. Memphis, TN: Elmwood
Cemetery, 2001. Print.
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