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Regardless
of what we might say, most of us are romantics at heart.  And this is evident in the
cemetery.  In the Victorian era,
certain symbols were used to convey true devotion, or a deep and abiding
love. Today, we don’t really worry about using symbols, we just say what’s in our hearts and on our minds.

Victorian
Symbols of LOVE:

The
heart shape is the most well known symbol of love.  Philosophers and Stoics thought that the heart was the seat
of the soul and emotions. Even in religious teachings, the heart was believed
to hold our spiritual or divine traits.

Clasped
hands indicated a married couple, united after death.  The hand that is shown holding the other indicates the person who died first, who is assisting their love into eternity.

Two
round columns joined by an arch on top represents the gateway to eternity.  This is used for the graves of a
husband and wife, joined in death, as in life.  Notice the bench? 
Falling down a bit, but still strong and sturdy….

Calla
Lilies are found on many older stones in the cemetery.  These lilies symbolize marriage,
purity, and resurrection.

Roses
signify true love, eternal love, and passion.

Modern
Day Symbols of LOVE:

In today’s world, we state, and show, what’s on our minds and in our hearts
very plainly.

Epitaphs
abound in the cemetery, but those that are loving tribute are the most
common.  Sometimes a simple word
says it all:

Beloved
– someone who was dearly or much loved.

Many
times a phrase sums up those feelings of love quite succinctly.

Some Where My Love

Wait for Me the Best is Yet To Be

Together Throughout Eternity

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May We Pass Together

Through The Gates Ajar.

It Broke My Heart
To Lose You,
But You Didn’t Go Away,
Part of Me Went With You
The Day God Called
You Home.

Although
this is difficult to see well, the sentiment is truly touching.  I photographed this through the window
of a mausoleum.  It is a written
tribute and photo to a wife, from her husband.

We
are beginning to include photos and etchings on stones,
once again.  Although this was
popular in the early to mid twentieth century, it fell out of favor until the
turn of this century.  

Another symbol of love – listing the marriage date.

And the one that seems to sum up those words of love the best:

There Abideth Faith, Hope, Love.
But the Greatest of These is Love!

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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