In our cemetery’s Old Section, the symbols carved into gravestones can reveal a lot about the deceased’s beliefs and philosophies, or at least those attributed to them by their families when they were buried. Gravestone symbolism ranges from well-known symbols of major religions to the arcane and complex, each one often containing layer after layer of hidden meaning. These twenty-one common symbols seen in Medfield are meant to relay messages to those who are still living. There are so many more here, which is your invitation to stop by, and wonder.
ACANTHUS
Anne Barber, 1746
Greek and Roman architectural decoration to symbolize enduring life, immortality
BUD
Lavinia Day Daniels, 1875
The hand of God plucking a flower bud which never bloomed and denotes a child’s death
CATTAILS BROKEN
John Roberts Adams, 1882
A life of humble obedience cut short
CHILD SLEEPING
Anna Day Hoisington, 1859
Victorian motif for death
DOVE WITH OLIVE BRANCH
Ella Fisher, 1871
Signifies peace and security
HAND
Charles Onion 1852
A hand with the index finger pointing down represents God reaching down for the soul, while one pointing upward symbolizes the hope of heaven
HARP
Jacob Cushman, 1886
Praise to God, harmony; sometimes signifies Irish connections. Symbol of St Cecelia, patron saint of musicians
HOURGLASS/SCYTHE
Wight Lot
Symbolic of time and life running out, quickly reaching its end. Time can also be represented by a scythe, clock or sundial
IVY
Charlotte Tucker Guild Locke, 1872
Friendship and immortality; cross is faith and belief in God
LAMB
Walter Janes Brown, 1850
Innocence; marks the grave of a child
OBELISK
Richard Crowninshield Derby, 1862
Greek symbol of eternal life, fertility, regeneration and resurrection
RISING SUN
Tapath Chenery, 1793
Resurrection
ROSES
Mary Adaline Guild, 1887
Love, beauty, hope, unfailing love
SHIELD
James Parkman Chenery, 1863, Franklin Artemas Chenery, 1864
Often used for soldiers who died in battle, with muskets, flowers, cannons, cannon balls, sword, flag
SKULL
Samuel Metcalf, 1740
Mortality
TORCH INVERTED
Derby Memorial, 1861
Extinction of life
WHEAT
Oliver Harding, 1822
Denotes a bountiful life cut short
WILLOW & URN
Mercy Scollay, 1826
The classic Greek symbol representing the tears, grief and sadness associated with the death of a loved one while the urn is the classic Roman symbol to contain ashes
WINGED CHERUB
Henry Adams, 1782
An optimistic view of attaining salvation
WINGED SKULL
Elizabeth Adams, 1767
Combination of physical death and spiritual regeneration