Post by Ang on Aug 19, 2005 21:51:17 GMT -5
********Tomb Stone Symbology********
Family research is engrossing, gripping; interesting, intriguing; and exciting. This is one hobby that has the power to provoke in us to the need to know more and more about our ancestors and their lives. For many, it becomes almost an obsession. Why? Perhaps it is because it is the only chance we ever have to truly become detectives. We can search out the secrets and passions of our ancestors and perhaps learn more about ourselves in the process. That in itself is an intriguing prospect.
The research involved in genealogy eventually leads to cemetery visits and tombstone reading. What was once considered a morbid pastime has become a normal part of the investigative process for the family history researcher. Cemeteries tell us so much about our ancestors. Much information can be gleaned from the words carved on the headstones. We can learn a great deal from the placement of a grave within the cemetery itself concerning family relationships. As more and more researchers venture into cemeteries to seek out ancestral graves, more and more questions arise about the meanings of the artwork and symbols found on the tombstones. The researcher wants to know what a symbol might mean and if the meaning of the symbol might provide more clues about this ancestor and his life, his ideals, his associations, and so on. Can reading and understanding these symbols help us gauge and unravel some quintessential element of this ancestor's life?
Understanding the Symbols
The task of interpreting the symbols on a tombstone is a daunting one. Though most symbols that you will see engraved on a stone DO have a textbook meaning, it is quite possible that the particular item you find engraved on the tombstone was put there simply because someone liked the look of it. Therefore, it will have no meaning beyond the taste of the deceased (if the request of what was to be on his stone was made by him), or the taste of the mourners left behind to choose the stone's appearance. The point is, many people who choose grave motifs have no idea that the ornamentation they select has meaning.. What they know is that they like the design and feel it is just somehow "right".
Symbols can express ethnic identity, religious affiliation, association membership, or simply the predilection of the time or of the community. A symbol that was commonly used in one area to mean something specific might mean something completely different in another part of the country or the world or in a different era of time. Therefore, it is important to understand the history of the area or of the time. Yes, it is complicated. The human being is by nature a creative creature. We can, and do, give our own meanings to objects and ideas and in doing so, create something with a meaning that conveys what we wish it to convey. The point of view of the person designing the monument cannot be known to us, and therein lies the major problem in attempting to interpret a symbol, character, design, device, figure, motif, or pattern on a tombstone. The true representation intended might never be known.
By all means, look at the engravings and the other artwork on the stone. Cemetery art is art, in the truest sense of the word. The stonecutter was an artist and some of the sculpture found in cemeteries is as beautiful to view as that found in the finest museums. You might be able to interpret the meaning of the symbol or the artwork, or you may not. Either way, you will enjoy the inherent beauty and workmanship involved in carving these intricate designs. Read up on the language of symbolism as a help. You can find a good one on the City of Silent site at www.alsirat.com/symbols/glossary.html.
Family research is engrossing, gripping; interesting, intriguing; and exciting. This is one hobby that has the power to provoke in us to the need to know more and more about our ancestors and their lives. For many, it becomes almost an obsession. Why? Perhaps it is because it is the only chance we ever have to truly become detectives. We can search out the secrets and passions of our ancestors and perhaps learn more about ourselves in the process. That in itself is an intriguing prospect.
The research involved in genealogy eventually leads to cemetery visits and tombstone reading. What was once considered a morbid pastime has become a normal part of the investigative process for the family history researcher. Cemeteries tell us so much about our ancestors. Much information can be gleaned from the words carved on the headstones. We can learn a great deal from the placement of a grave within the cemetery itself concerning family relationships. As more and more researchers venture into cemeteries to seek out ancestral graves, more and more questions arise about the meanings of the artwork and symbols found on the tombstones. The researcher wants to know what a symbol might mean and if the meaning of the symbol might provide more clues about this ancestor and his life, his ideals, his associations, and so on. Can reading and understanding these symbols help us gauge and unravel some quintessential element of this ancestor's life?
Understanding the Symbols
The task of interpreting the symbols on a tombstone is a daunting one. Though most symbols that you will see engraved on a stone DO have a textbook meaning, it is quite possible that the particular item you find engraved on the tombstone was put there simply because someone liked the look of it. Therefore, it will have no meaning beyond the taste of the deceased (if the request of what was to be on his stone was made by him), or the taste of the mourners left behind to choose the stone's appearance. The point is, many people who choose grave motifs have no idea that the ornamentation they select has meaning.. What they know is that they like the design and feel it is just somehow "right".
Symbols can express ethnic identity, religious affiliation, association membership, or simply the predilection of the time or of the community. A symbol that was commonly used in one area to mean something specific might mean something completely different in another part of the country or the world or in a different era of time. Therefore, it is important to understand the history of the area or of the time. Yes, it is complicated. The human being is by nature a creative creature. We can, and do, give our own meanings to objects and ideas and in doing so, create something with a meaning that conveys what we wish it to convey. The point of view of the person designing the monument cannot be known to us, and therein lies the major problem in attempting to interpret a symbol, character, design, device, figure, motif, or pattern on a tombstone. The true representation intended might never be known.
By all means, look at the engravings and the other artwork on the stone. Cemetery art is art, in the truest sense of the word. The stonecutter was an artist and some of the sculpture found in cemeteries is as beautiful to view as that found in the finest museums. You might be able to interpret the meaning of the symbol or the artwork, or you may not. Either way, you will enjoy the inherent beauty and workmanship involved in carving these intricate designs. Read up on the language of symbolism as a help. You can find a good one on the City of Silent site at www.alsirat.com/symbols/glossary.html.
One of these days (insert a bucket full of procrastination) I'd like to hit a bunch of these old cemeteries and do some walk thrus... snap some pics... see what comes out to say hello. ;D
To keep the horse calm, I started singing to her, Oh Susanna, and it worked on the horse - we strolled right on by without incident. But I imagine a graveyard of folks were thinking - I hope she gets over the idea she can sing before she comes to this side. LMAO
