Symbolism–Animals and Insects

Animals have strong symbolic meanings, such as lambs for innocence, lions for courage and the dove for purity and peace.

Bee with Bee Hive

Bee and Bee Hive

The bee is a symbol of industriousness and productivity; small actions of an individual benefit the whole. Germans see the erratic flight of the bee as “wandering souls.” The bee hive is a symbol of a unified, harmonious community and a symbol of Mormonism.

Ankh or Egyptian Cross with Dung Beetle

Beetle or Scarab

The Scarab Beetle symbolizes renewal and regeneration.

Bird Sitting

Bird, Sitting

A sitting bird is guarding the soul.

Bird Ascending with Olive Branch

Birds

Transcendence; symbol of the soul — flight of the soul after death. See also specific breeds of birds.

Boar on Family Crest

Boar

The boar depicts bravery, courage, and truth. Three boars on a coat of arms was frequently used to represent nobility in Ireland.

Double Bull Protome Relief

Bull

A bull symbolizes strength. A winged bull represents Luke the Evangelist.

Butterfly with Cocoon

Butterfly or Moth

Symbolic of resurrection – the caterpillar, the chrysalis, and then the butterfly or moth. The moth, attracted to light, ascends in its final flight toward Heaven. The moth sometimes symbolizes a short life.

Cobras and Lotus with Winged Sun disk

Cobra

According to Egyptian mythology, two cobras depicted with the winged sun are said to guard the gates of the underworld.

Cock or Rooster

Cock or Rooster

The Cock or Rooster is a symbol of the Chinese Zodiac. Roosters symbolize pride, honesty, watchfulness, vigilance and courage.

Sandhill Crane

Crane

The crane is a symbol of vigilance, good works and loyalty. In China, the crane symbolizes longevity and immortality. The VA added the Sandhill Crane (left) to symbolize the same-sex partner of a Veteran who passed away.

Dog and the boy he tried to save

Dog

A dog is generally a symbol of a remembered pet. The image at left is a dog and the boy he tried to save from drowning.

Descending Dove

Dove

The dove is a symbol of resurrection, innocence and peace, love, purity and resurrection. A dove with an olive spring represents peace.

Ascending Dove

Dove Ascending

An ascending dove represents the transport of the soul to heaven.

Dead Dove

Dove Dead

A Dead Dove represents a prematurely shortened life.

Descending Dove

Dove Descending

A dove descending represents a descent from Heaven — an assurance of a passage to heaven. A dive-bombing dove with a twig represents the Holy Ghost.

Military Eagle

Eagle

An eagle with a “32” is a sign of a 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason. Eagles are sometimes engraved on military graves in the United States.

The eagle is associated with St. John the Evangelist and is sometimes found on Celtic Crosses with the four evangelists who wrote the respective gospels: Matthew (Angel), Mark (Winged Lion), Luke (Winged Ox) and John (Eagle.)

Elk

Elk

An elk is generally a symbol found on tombstones for members of the Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks. See acronym BPOE.

Fawn

Fawn

A fawn is a symbol of innocence and is generally found on the graves of children.

Shield on Family Crest, Fish

Fish

A fish is often used as a symbol of Christianity, but may also symbolize a hobby or occupation. There is no specific meaning associated with a fish in heraldry.

Johann Muller Story Stone

Horse

A horse is generally a military symbol for the cavalry. A horse on a Coat of Arms symbolizes readiness for all employments for king and country.

The horse at left is running off after a log mishap crushed the driver.

Hummingbird

Hummingbird

Hummingbirds are primarily decorative.

Lamb

Lamb

The Lamb is a symbol of innocence and is frequently used on the graves of children.

Lion

Lion

Courage, Majesty and Strength. A winged lion represents St. Mark the Evangelist.

Angel Carrying Baby - Thorvaldsen Night

Owl

The Owl represents night in this relief taken from the work of Bertel Thorvaldsen. The owl may also represent solitude, wisdom or watchfulness.

Elm Grove Cemetery, Mystic, CT

Austin Robinson died in 1857 at the age of 25 and was buried in the Adrian Center Cemetery after he fell from an ox-drawn hay wagon. His epitaph reads “Unfortunate in Life, Happy in Death.”

Ox

The ox symbolizes sacrifice and service, signifying that Christians should be prepared to sacrifice themselves in following Christ. A Winged Ox represents St. Luke the Evangelist.

The Ox drawn hay wagon at left depicts the cause of death of Auston Robinson at the age of 25 after he fell off of the cart.

Peacock

Peacock

The peacock represents immortality through resurrection. Glory, immortality, royalty, incorruptibility, and pride.

Serpent with Apple

Snake or Serpent

A coiled snake indicates sin. A snake biting an apple represents overcoming original sin. An Ouroboros is a snake biting its tail–a symbol of immortality or everlasting life. A snake with its head upright–Uraeus— is an ancient Egyptian symbol for divine or royal authority.

Stag with Cross

Stag, Hart, Buck or Deer

A stag on a Coat of Arms represents Policy, Peace and Harmony. A stag with a cross attached to its antlers portrays The Legend of St. Eustace.

Turtle or Tortoise, Donaldson Monument, Lake View Cemetery, Cleveland, Ohio

Turtle or Tortoise

The turtle is generally used as a decorative element, though it may represent longevity, patience, durability and strength.

Twin Vultures, Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx, New York

Vulture

Twin vultures are Egyptian symbols for maternal care. Vulture’s wings symbolize protection and maternal care.