Category: Tombstone Art

A half-carved tombstone represents the transition from life to death.

A curtain on a tombstone symbolizes the passage from one life to the next, the passage from one existence to another. Curtains conceal and block the view of something and they also provide protection.

A lyre or harp engraved on a tombstone is a symbol of heavenly music, praise to God, and the hope of heaven. Lyres and harps are often seen as the root of divine music.

An anchor symbol on a tombstone signifies hope. The anchor is an ancient symbol of hope and early Christians drew a cross, disguised as an anchor, to mark and guide their way to secret meeting places.  

Obelisk shaped tombstones are commonly seen in cemeteries. They are found in various sizes and some are quite large.

An obelisk is a narrow, four-sided monument with a pyramidal shape at the top. Obelisks have been used as grave markers since the mid-1800s and are one of the most popular types of cemetery memorials. An obelisk can be used in a relatively small space and one obelisk is sometimes used for several graves or it may be the central monument of a family plot.