Memorial Symbols

There are many memorial symbols and here are some of the examples to be found at Bethel Sketty Cemetery together with their meanings.

Angels

Angels are some of the most common symbols found in cemeteries. They may be carved on gravestones or stand on top as statues. Angels are a guide to Heaven, representing guardianship of the deceased’s soul and protection on their journey to Heaven, signifying that the departed has taken flight. The hands of the Angel can point upwards to Heaven, beckoning grieving loved ones to look up. An Angel carrying a wreath of roses is a symbol of heavenly joy and bliss. Angels can often be identified by the instruments they carry - Archangel Michael by his sword, engaged in the war in Heaven against Lucifer, and Archangel Gabriel by his horn. Archangel Gabriel is described as the Herald of Visions and Messenger of God. Some angels are pictured weeping with wings that droop in sadness, denoting sorrow and lamentation. Others are in flight with a trumpet to proclaim the gospel to all the world. Some walk upright, ready to escort the deceased into Heaven.

Specific angels can be seen in cemeteries, such as St. George from an 11th-century legend, who rescued a princess from a dragon that required human sacrifices. Another is St. Michael with his drawn sword, as mentioned above.

In older Jewish cemeteries, angels were forbidden, as were depictions of human faces. This was in conformity with one of the Ten Commandments, in an effort to thwart anyone from worshipping graven images. In later years, angels were allowed on gravestones if their faces were covered by their hands or arms.

Urns

The urn symbolises death itself and is a symbol for the soul, immortality or penitence. The Greeks used the urn as a symbol of mourning, since it was often used as a repository for the ashes of the dead. Many Urns can be elaborately carved, with floral garlands, and drapes over the Urn or on the gravestone itself. In past generations, when the deceased was held in their own home prior to burial, drapes would cover the body. Family and friends were invited into the home to pay their respects and comfort the living. The entrance to the room where the deceased lay was sometimes draped with a black veil, signifying the passage from life to death. Anciently, temples had draped passages. A gravestone featuring drapes or a veil can also be thought of like a curtain pulled back on a stage. All eyes would be drawn to the deceased as they passed through the veil, just as all eyes fall on a main actor on a stage. It symbolises the importance of each individual to God and to their family.

Calvary Cross

The Calvary Cross has a distinctive appearance and is easily recognisable. A Calvary Cross is a representation of the structure on which Jesus was crucified and is mounted on a platform of three steps. The ascent represents the climb Christ made to Calvary and the three steps are a reminder of the three principles of faith, hope, and charity or the three members of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. This symbol first appeared on coinage from the time of Byzantine Emperor Heraclius (r. 610–641). Some Calvary Crosses include the letters “IHS”, the first three letters of the name Jesus in Greek and their appearance at the heart of the intersection of a cross means Jesus is at the centre of atonement and forgiveness. The I, the H, and the S are often intertwined, making the symbol look like a dollar sign. An arched shape can sometimes be seen on a headstone. This appears in the vertical section of the cross in this photograph and it signifies a triumph over death and entry into heaven.

Botonee, a word from the middle-French language meaning button. The Botonee Cross, which originated with heraldry, and recognised by its refoil design at the end of each arm, which gives the impression of a bud or a button or a cluster of three balls, knobs. The cluster of three buttons at the ends of the cross, represents the Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. This design makes it distinct from other cross forms and adds a layer of symbolism, often linked to the Christian concept of the Trinity.

Bontonee Cross

Grapes

This photograph shows bunches of grapes. They represents Christ, the blood of Christ, God’s care or The Last Supper. Grapes with leaves represent the Christian faith. The photograph also has a Bontonee Cross in the centre between the grapes.

Dove

This intricately-carved gravestone includes a dove carrying an olive branch, a representation from the story of the Ark. After 40 days and nights, Noah sent out a dove and it returned with an olive branch, showing that their journey was at an end and a peaceful homecoming awaits.

The olive branch itself symbolises peace - that the soul has departed in the peace of God. The association of the olive branch with peace and wisdom originates in Greek mythology.

The use of garlands and wreaths of flowers and leaves dates back to ancient Greece and was adopted into the Christian religion as a symbol of the victory of the redemption. Flowers on a cross, as seen here, can indicate growth in Christ or immortality, while flowers in full bloom indicate that the deceased was in the full bloom of life.

Handshake

The origin of the handshake dates back to at least the 9th century BC in Assyria. It signified a token of peace, as the hand was extended without weapons. The shaking up and down may even have been a means of verifying that there was not a dagger or knife up the other person’s sleeve. In ancient Rome, handshakes were a symbol of loyalty and friendship. Clasped hands were even stamped on Roman coins. Handshakes also denote that a person’s word is their bond, a giving of a sacred trust. In the case of gravestone symbolism, handshakes can mean a final farewell or an eternal bond between the living and the dead. Sometimes one hand in a handshake is very stiff, showing that the person is dead, while the other hand has bent joints, indicating that the person is alive. The hand on the left is usually the one belonging to the deceased. This is a symbol of farewell between the living and the dead. It is often accompanied by the words “Gone but not forgotten”, “Rest in Peace”, or “Goodbye”

Cherubs

Cherubim are regarded in traditional Christian angelology as angels of the second highest order of the ninefold celestial hierarchy. The cherubim are characterised by knowledge and signify a soul that has gone to heaven. The Cherub usually represents the death of child.

Celtic Cross

The picture to the right shows a Celtic Cross with IHS (first three letters of the name Jesus in Greek: ΙΗΣΟΥΣ) central within the cross and quite intricately carved. A Cross is a symbol of faith and resurrection. The Celtic Cross has a ring or nimbus that connects the four arms. It originated in Ireland, France and Great Britain in the Early Middle Ages. Popular legend in Ireland says that this form of the Christian cross was introduced by Saint Patrick. Other interpretations claim that placing the cross on top of the circle represents Christ's supremacy over the pagan sun. This inscription of the name of Jesus is at the heart of the intersection of the cross, meaning he is at the centre of atonement and forgiveness. Flowers are a symbol of immortality, with certain flowers having quite specific meanings too.