Tombstone Tuesday-Bird Symbol

Birds, usually doves, are common tombstone symbols. They symbolize peace, resurrection, and innocence.

Birds are usually depicted as flying or sitting but we saw this unusual bird scene on a tombstone at Greenville Union Cemetery, Darke County, Ohio. The perching bird is looking at his friend or mate who is lying belly-up on the ground.

Greenville Union Cemetery, Darke County, Ohio. (2006 photo by Karen)

A bird lying dead symbolizes a life that was cut short prematurely and this is the case of the carving on the tombstone of Heinrich August Lindemann, who died in 1872 at the age of 29 years.

Greenville Union Cemetery, Darke County, Ohio. (2006 photo by Karen)

Real birds are often opportunists and a robin built this nest along the wings of this angel at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Schumm.

Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Van Wert County, Ohio. (2013 photo by Karen)

2 comments

    • Virginia Britten on October 12, 2021 at 8:41 am
    • Reply

    Thank you for your wonderful blog! Today you brought us something so meaningful and unusual, the grieving bird! I loved it.

    1. Thank you! I am glad you enjoyed the post and photos.

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