Understanding Cemetery Symbols: A Field Guide for Historic Graveyards

by Tui Snider, H. E. Cameron (Editor)

Understanding Cemetery Symbols by Tui Snider is a reference book for genealogists, history buffs, ghost hunters and others seeking to learn the forgotten meanings of cemetery symbols in historic graveyards.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Art, Reference, Travel, Death, Historical

230 pages, Paperback

Published May 30, 2017

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Americans are beginning to realize once again that burial grounds exist to nurture the living as well as shelter the dead.” (p. 20)

Whether you’re into history, cemeteries, or genealogy this book will interest you. It is not just about the symbols often seen on historic gravestones, but also a look at the evolution from burial grounds to today’s garden cemeteries. Snider covers cemetery elements, architecture, and design; burial and death beliefs, superstitions, and customs; cemetery and burial terminology, as well as historic cemetery symbols. A very interesting and informative read!

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tui Snider’s Understanding Cemetery Symbols: A Field Guide for Historic Graveyards is an excellent book for a person who is discovering she/he have an interest in cemeteries and would like to comprehend what the many different symbols found on the gravestones mean. For example, one may find many types of crosses in cemeteries such as Celtic Crosses often used ‘on graves of those of Irish descent’, or an Eastern Cross (Greek Orthodox Cross), or the Latin Cross (Protestant Cross ‘which focuses on Christ as the Risen Savior of Mankind’versus ‘his suffering during the crucifixion’. My father has this type of Cross on his Veteran Stone as he served in The Pacific Theater as a Marine Captain during WWII. There are many illustrations in this book to assist with identifying symbols correctly. Also found in the book are many other symbols with their explanations such as plants, flowers, trees, angels, saints, secret clubs (The Freemasons), secret societies and organizations. Finally, one may see an anchor indicating the deceased was a sailor or ‘lost at sea’ which I did view in Portland, Maine’s Eastern Cemetery or a vocational tool such as a cleaver for a butcher or a helmet,a flag, or even a cannon ball representing military service. The author mentions how epitaphs have changed since The Puritans to today. I agree. Some epitaphs today are quite light hearted, but one I read in the Finger Lake Region of Upstate NY I shall always remember. I saw a small cemetery as we toured one of the lakes, and I walked over to it. There on a 2 year old girl’s grave who had died in 1863 was “Do you miss me at home?” So beautifully sad! 4 stars.

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading and informative little book for those of us guilty of loving and meandering around old graveyards and cemeteries on our holidays.

It's not creepy at all, it's history!!

[Deb Atwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an invaluable guide to writers and researchers as well as amateur taphophiles (okay, I admit, I had to look that word up). The chapters such as "Why Symbols Matter," "Cemetery Safety and Etiquette," and "Cemetery Architecture" are well organized so if you have a particular interest or question, you can easily flip to the page and find the needed information.

One aspect I found interesting in this book was the way symbols change over time and wane in popularity. Also, the same symbol can assume altered significance depending on its depiction, culture, or religion. For instance, the book--always of interest to the writer in me--on a gravestone carries several different meanings. A closed book means the deceased lived a long life (as in long enough to finish the last page). Conversely, an open book means the person's life was cut short. And an open book with a draped cloth over it "represents the veil of death cutting a life short before the final page of the deceased person's life was written" (181).

Understanding Cemetery Symbols is a guide that will appeal to anyone interested in history, historical cemeteries, or symbols. I'm placing my copy on my reference shelf for easy access.

[SabCo T. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not a lot can be said about this one, it’s pretty on the nose about being a field guide for general summaries of all the stuff you see in/around cemeteries and graveyards.

I went in already knowing some of what was going to be described but the book did provide a lot of information that I wasn’t aware of. It covers everything from symbols/epitaphs on graves, statues, what certain gravestyles are/mean, all the different kinds of religious sects or secret fraternities, the list goes on. I found the most interesting part of the book was the difference of the past with their meanings of symbols and today. For example, if you see a newish grave that has a hummingbird on it, it usually just means that the dead person liked/likes hummingbirds. But if this is on a very very very old grave that happens to be someone of Hispanic descent, the Aztecs believed great warriors reincarnated as hummingbirds and it was a symbol of that hope or that the person buried/cremated was a fighter of some kind. [Cool af, btw]

I had this on my amazon wishlist for awhile from a recommendation of another death-positive related book I was looking at, and it seems that it also was recommended because the author is in TX, so she had a lot of TX-specific info too, which was pretty cool.

The book is pretty short and sweet, because it gets to the point with descriptions and grouped pictures to give examples of what to look for when meandering around and wondering about stuff in a cemetery or graveyard. It would be a good book to bring with you while exploring one, but a little larger than ‘pocket sized’ and more like ‘small bag sized.’

Also, Dimebag Darrel’s grave in pictured in the book. +5 respect [RE! SPECT! WALK! WHATDIDYOUSAY?]

My only real qualms I had with the book were some spelling/grammatical errors but they were few and far between, and also some of the pages were printed really crooked or off-center. Also around the images inserted into the book, for some reason the re-sizing boxes were left around said images. The book seems to be published on a small/independent scale so it’s possible those things were just missed without a proper editor/publisher review.

Not gonna have any real ‘cool quotes’ at the end here, but instead I’ll put some stuff I thought was cool that I didn’t know:

-The difference between a cemetery and a graveyard is that in nearly all cases, graveyards are attached to or owned by a church

-Iron is used for cemetery gates not so much for symbolic reasons, as for a longstanding superstition that iron repels spirits [and in some beliefs, fae], which is also why many of the iron gates/fences were spike-topped as to further discourage restless/wandering souls and to keep them contained within the fence

-There’s a type of tomb called a bale tomb, which are barrel tombs that include a squiggly-like design on top. It’s been argued where the design gets it’s name. There are thoughts/research that the ‘bale’ on top is supposed to look like a wrinkled woolen shroud that bodies were legally required to be buried in during 17th century England, which is actually where the saying ‘pulling the wool over someones eyes’ is thought to come from.

-While uncommon in a most American cemeteries/graveyards, statues of a saint named Saint Lucia/Lucy of Syracuse can be found. She’s easily identified due to her statues sometimes showing her eyes being wrapped with blood coming out from the bandage, showing her actual eyes having been gouged out, or stylized to not have irises/pupils or ‘blank’ in appearance – but she is always seen holding out a dish with her eyeballs upon it. She also sometimes depicted as having her eyes within her hands [Pan’s Labyrinth Pale Man style].

St. Lucia became a saint after having her eyes gouged out, and it was said that it was done so while she was praying and continued to pray even after her eyes were removed, unaffected and ever-pious, and secondary legend was that she gouged out her own eyes when a suitor expressed multiple times that he thought that her eyes were beautiful, in order to remain faithful to her marriage with god and for him to leave her alone.

As such, she became the Patron Saint of the Blind. [When I was looking up this saint, btw, apparently in a lot of paintings and statues more recently that are colored, her eyes are ‘given back’ as that she had gained new eyes with her sainthood, interesting]

I give Understanding Cemetery Symbols 4/5 LychGates

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I was given the opportunity to review this book, I didn’t merely sign up for it, I begged for the chance. Partly, of course, it’s because a lot of my writing lately is focusing on ghosts, but also it’s because the subject fascinates me. Maybe it’s because we don’t bury our dead in my family – we have them cremated and scatter the ashes somewhere meaningful – or maybe I’ve just read too many gothic novels with confrontations in family crypts, but graveyards have always intrigued me. In fact, one of the only things I remember from a clever gardening book I read several years ago, is that graveyard roses are the hardiest plants if you want to grow roses from a cutting.

Tui Snider’s book does not cover the best ways to filch roses from the dead, but it is a lot more than just a glossary of symbols commonly found on headstones.

In fact, Understanding Cemetery Symbols has several chapters explaining the history and trends of burial in America, including a rundown of different types of cemeteries and descriptions of the different words – such as burial ground, churchyard, graveyard, etc. – that were used in different eras and are still used in different parts of the country. (Confession: like the author, I agree that ‘graveyard’ is creepier than ‘cemetery.’)

Of course, it also explains the symbols the title references, but it does so in a way that is never dry or dull. Author Snider’s warm, witty style of writing feels more like a conversation with a friend than any kind of book, and I found myself both impressed with her research and eager to field-test her data.

Speaking of field-testing, my review copy also came with copies of Ms. Snider’s Graveyard Journal, for tracking the different graves you visit and what symbols are present, and her Ghost Hunter’s Journal, for those of us who have more than a passing fancy for the supernatural. Both of these supplementary books are well-designed, and now that the weather in Texas is cooling off I’m excited about doing some judicious exploration.

Understanding Cemetery Symbols is an interesting read even if you never plan to go tromping around old churchyards, but it’s indispensable if you do feel the urge to explore, and the two journals will only enhance your experience.

[Lynn Poppe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m starting this review with a quote that succinctly describes Understanding Cemetery Symbols:
"Simply put, symbols are the perfect example of the old cliche that ‘a picture is worth a thousand words’."
What I really enjoyed about Understanding Cemetery Symbols is the conversational writing style. Ms. Snider’s writing made me feel like we were sitting on a front porch with a lemonade, looking over a historical cemetery, discussing symbols and history.
The anthropologist in me quite appreciated this book. I’ve wandered through cemeteries for years, often wanting a helpful guide book just like this. I learned so many interesting facts while reading! These facts include:
Christians co-opted a lot pagan symbols.
What is the difference in the meaning between cemetery and graveyard?
Why do headstones face east?
When a married couple is buried together, why are men generally buried on the left while women on the right?
Hands of Cohen is an actual Jewish symbol, not just Spock’s Live Long and Prosper signature move.
I’m not going to spoil the book for you. Check it out yourself to learn the answers!
I do want to point out that there are some editing errors in the book. As much as I loved the photos, they didn’t always line up with the text. Maybe this is an issue with the printed version? There were also some typos throughout the text. Not enough to be an issue for me, but enough that I did notice them.
I’m sure you might be thinking that a discussion of cemetery symbols would be completely morbid. But for me, it was not in the least bit. This guidebook will be a helpful tool while roaming cemeteries or planning a future gravestone. Also, and most importantly, there are no weeping angels to completely freak me out!

I’d like to thank Lone Star Book Blog Tours and the author for providing a copy of Understanding Cemetery Symbols, Graveyard Journal Workbook, and Ghost Hunters Workbook to me in exchange for my honest review.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Informative!

If you enjoy visiting old graveyards as a hobby or pastime this is definitely the book for you. I can also see it being useful for those interested in history or those who like to do genealogical research by visiting graveyards. Very easy to access for all readers, and can easily be brought along as a field guide when at the graveyard. The only reason I chose to give it four stars instead of five, I felt like it needed more pictures. Often I had to stop reading to look up what the author was talking about. But overall great resource!

[Virginia Van · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a valuable guide for anyone interested in old cemeteries, their histories and the "decoding" of various symbols found on gravestones. The author points out the need to interpret symbols in context and not to go into cemeteries alone, the latter a valuable piece of advice I have not seen in similar books. Although the content is tilted towards American cemeteries, most of the information is applicable to Canada as well.

[QuesterMark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice set of explanations

If you’re a genealogist or a geocacher or just like cemeteries, you should get this book. Quick way to find a quick explanation for symbols you might see in cemeteries. Recommended!

[Niki Gratton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A triumph

Straightforward, the way she writes is easy and fun to read. It goes alphabetically and properly organized. I enjoyed it enormously!

[Loren · Rating 4 out of 5]

In her introduction, Snider begins by saying that America has always been a highly literate nation. While I don't doubt that was true among white men through most of American history, I wonder at the blind spots in that generalization. It rattles my faith in the wide application of the information that follows in the body of the book.

However, Snider explains that graveyard symbolism isn't as simple to decode as a picture dictionary might make it seem. Wheat can mean something different, whether it's gathered in a sheaf or appears alongside grapes or is engraved on the grave of a farmer. Birds, generally speaking, symbolize the soul -- although she doesn't go on to say that the deceased might have simply kept birds or been a birdwatcher. She directs the reader to see also Donve (sic), Pelican, Eagle, Owl.

Which leads me to one of my issues with the book: It could've really benefited from proofreading. I assume the typos indicate a rush to publication, but they're a shame. A more professionally published book should've found a place on every library's shelves.

This book also suffers from a limited number of photographs. I don't think I've ever seen a gourd or a rooster on a gravestone, so I would've really liked to have seen one here. The photos that are included, while small, are reproduced very clearly. They made me want more.

This is a good book to consult alongside Douglas Keister's Stories in Stone, but I think a more comprehensive and more fully illustrated guide to gravestone iconography is yet to be written. I look forward to it.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and informative. There are definitely editing and formatting errors, mostly pictures showing up on the wrong page, but it didn't really affect my enjoyment of the book. I might have felt differently if I'd bought it instead of borrowing from the library.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful!

I learned quite a lot while reading this book! It is very educational with regard to cemetery symbolism. Thanks so much!

[Granny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book better than I actually did. The information in it is mostly very good, it's reasonably well researched, and explores categories that the reader may not have considered as factors in the symbology of cemeteries such as cemetery architecture or grave goods.

That said, the book could have really benefitted by including an index, and it was riddled with typos throughout. Numbering the pages would have also been helpful.

I was disappointed with many of the photos, which were too often grainy and difficult to make out. It would have been an improvement to include example photos on the same page as the text describing what they illustrate. If there is a second edition, I hope these problems will be sorted out.

But the bulk of the book is very worthwhile and very thorough. You may find it appeals to you since there is little written on this subject in the U.S. You can see the thoughtfulness of a family in how they describe their loved one in symbol. Thus the next time you are wandering in a cemetery, you aren't confused by the symbology you see there, but rather you can feel for a moment the love that shines in the choices.

[Shirley A. McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good information

The information presented in organized in an easy to follow fashion. I found it very useful. I do visit old cemeteries and have often wondered about the not so obvious symbols on headstones.

[Chris Shockey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad...

Interesting treatise on graveyard symbology, but was very hard to read because you couldn't increase the point size of the type. It would actually zoom in and cut off text. I didn't notice until I got to a page turn where the text didn't make sense. I had to zoomback out to a point size that was difficult to read. Also, more photos would've helped.

[Terry McIntire · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book for all of the taphophiles among us. Always wondered about the origin of the things seen in old cemeteries. Fun concise information. If you ever visit a cemetery for any reason, this would be an excellent companion.

[Cynthia L Jennings · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for cemetery nerds

I spend a lot of time in cemeteries. This is very helpful to have in hand when I am wondering what something means.

[Christena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m a natural taphophile, so I love cemeteries and graveyards. Concrete angels and epitaphs are what draws me to cemeteries and graveyards. Plus, the unknown history you can gather from a cemetery or graveyard is incredibly intriguing. Like seeing rows upon rows of priests graves or when an epidemic struck a community causing numerous deaths. I was thrilled to be able to read and add to my collection, Tui Snider’s recent publication on Understanding Cemetery Symbols.

The book is informative in a conversational tone for a beginner or even a seasoned taphophile. The author breaks her book down into easy to read sections from discussing headstone types to flora engravings on headstones to cross types. She brings to light how many crosses there are in the world that symbolizes diverse meanings.

One notable chapter discusses what symbols can represent, as well as have different meanings on a variety of levels for people. I agree with Tui that symbols can signify particular things to everyone. For instance – I dislike roosters, so I’ll never have an affinity for them because one attacked me, but for some people these animals represent vigilance.

She’s dead-on (no pun intended) that exploring cemeteries is a great way to get outside, especially during the spring and fall seasons. We all need more outdoor time. The chapter on cemetery safety and etiquette provides tips to abide by when you visit a cemetery. I’ve always made sure never to walk across graves to obeying the posted signage. The latter is one of the most important things you can do when you visit a cemetery or graveyard. If it says “Silence” then be silent, just to name one.

Tui further details the distinctive types of cemeteries you’ll encounter, as well as the differences between coffins and caskets. Do you know their distinctions? I’ll know when I visit a cemetery or graveyard in the future and see a sarcophagus what it means. She provides answers to basic questions of why husbands are buried on the left and why headstones face east.

There were some errors in the book, like a repeat of photos and the consistent misspelling of Chi Rho. One notable error is in distinguishing between the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Daughters of the Republic. While I had to prove my lineage to the DAR, my membership was not based on if I was personally acceptable. An index would be very useful for the book to help readers quickly reference specific items.

Overall, Tui’s book is a precious packed resource that provided me new insights into cemeteries and their symbols that I did not know before. If you love cemeteries too, then grab her book to guide your discoveries. I’ll now be on the outlook for four new major symbols to photograph: owl, spider web, a squirrel with acorns, and zebras, especially the squirrel with acorns. You’ll have to read her book to find out why this small animal has such a significant meaning.

[Claudia Loureiro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an invaluable guide to writers and researchers as well as amateur taphophiles (okay, I admit, I had to look that word up). The chapters such as "Why Symbols Matter," "Cemetery Safety and Etiquette," and "Cemetery Architecture" are well organized so if you have a particular interest or question, you can easily flip to the page and find the needed information.
One aspect I found interesting in this book was the way symbols change over time and wane in popularity. Also, the same symbol can assume altered significance depending on its depiction, culture, or religion. For instance, the book--always of interest to the writer in me--on a gravestone carries several different meanings. A closed book means the deceased lived a long life (as in long enough to finish the last page). Conversely, an open book means the person's life was cut short. And an open book with a draped cloth over it "represents the veil of death cutting a life short before the final page of the deceased person's life was written" (181).
Understanding Cemetery Symbols is a guide that will appeal to anyone interested in history, historical cemeteries, or symbols. I'm placing my copy on my reference shelf for easy access.

[Lia C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for history enthusiasts, taphophiles, or anyone who has been curious about a particular symbol on a headstone or within cemetery grounds.
I found all of the information contained within to be outstanding - Tui provided in-depth research, included her encounters with imagery, and provided possible hints as to where to find specific symbols. Her dedication and hard work are evident, and this book also feels like a labor of love.
The only reason I am rating it four stars is because there are NUMEROUS typos, punctuation errors, and even photo inserts are reused in the wrong chapter. If the editor had taken an extra half hour to provide one more proofreading pass to correct all of the mistakes, it would have been easier to enjoy this encyclopedia of cemetery symbols.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel bad giving this book a 2 star review because the author seems so genuinely friendly and like a person I would go hang out in cemeteries with. And maybe this is reader error, but I was expecting a lot more explanation and history than I got with this book. There was so much repetition I felt like there could have been a heading of "Things That Represent X" and just put pictures beneath it. It was also very Christocentric.
I would definitely try this author again, though, because their obvious interest in their subject is so appealing. Maybe next book will have more research and detail.

[Ashley · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is just lacking. It gives only the barest and briefest overview. It’s sloppy- innumerable spelling and grammar mistakes that should have been caught by a decent editor. The images are blurry- even the descriptions of the images are blurry- making them unhelpful and just in the way. The subject is really fascinating and the author’s passion is apparent, but it reads like a hastily written blog instead of an actual helpful resource. Finally, the author hawking her journals throughout is annoying. I’m hoping to find a different book on the same subject for actual quality information.

[Soraya · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my favorite activities is finding old cemeteries. I found this guide on a Tik Tok and it was highly recommended as a beginners guide. I enjoyed the offered material but I would have liked it to have been more detailed. It was over simplified and I was looking for something that went more indepth with the symbology. However it was helpful and a great first dive into burial practices and symbology.

[William J. Gay Jr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Educational

I just finished and thoroughly enjoyed reading this field guide. It triggered reading more on the subject of Saints and Angels. Fun historical facts about our heritage and the beliefs we have of life after death. You can be sure it will accompany me on my next visit to a cemetery. A very informative book, well done!

[Alayna Josz · Rating 5 out of 5]

gorgeous, helpful, symbolic, interesting, historical important work. thank you Tui this is a lovely guide. i keep it by my bedside. a hobby of mine is graveyard exploring and headstone photography. i love learning new symbols and spotting ones i havent seen before. regardless of the season it's a really great activity for me.

[losira13gmail.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very educational and interesting!

I have always been interested in the symbols and statues in graveyards and what they meant. This book would be helpful if you are in a old church yards or graveyards and are trying to research the grave stones. It may even help you the research when it comes genealogy. Everything is explained clearly and I found it just enjoyable to read.

[Meg Perin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tui Snider captured cemeteries and graveyards with one profound quote: they are open-air museums. Her book is amazingly helpful to truly understand either what the family wanted you, the visitor to know about their dearly departed one love, and what the symbols on the stones mean. A great way to experience history as well as genealogy.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting read

I enjoyed reading this book.It offered a unique approach to understanding cemetery symbols. I'm sure with the millennial generation emoji will be used as well in the years to come.