Author Topic: Angels on Gravestones  (Read 4605 times)

Offline sarah

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Angels on Gravestones
« on: Friday 16 March 18 20:21 GMT (UK) »
Hello,

I have been doing a little project photographing gravestones and am interested in the Angels actions, where I live in Manchester they seem quite limited their favourite themes are as follows..

1. Putting a wreath on a cross
2. Reading a scroll
3. Holding an arm up to heaven
4. Holding flowers
5. Praying

Does anyone have any ideas on any symbolism of the angels ?

Sarah :)
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Offline Guy Etchells

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Re: Angels on Gravestones
« Reply #1 on: Friday 16 March 18 20:54 GMT (UK) »
Although symbols used on gravestones may indicate a specific meaning see-
http://headstonesymbols.co.uk/ for examples
I would be very wary of imagining that was why it was chosen.

Monumental masons since at least the mid 19th century held style books with designs and symbols & verses that customers could browse through to “design” the required tombstone in a similar way as wallpaper would be chosen from a pattern book.

Cheers
Guy
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Offline Viktoria

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Re: Angels on Gravestones
« Reply #2 on: Friday 16 March 18 21:19 GMT (UK) »
There was a certain symbolism,a pillar broken off represents a life cut short.
A vase or urn  draped in cloth,  Ivy twining round a pillar,etc all had their own meaning which I think will be explained on a site.
The Victorians were very into their monuments.
I walked my dog  in our local cemetery most mornings,so many graves neglected most probably because no one of that family lives locally anymore.I only saw the ones alongside the paths but some were really lovely,well kept and with seasonal  plants and flowers.
It is a pleasant walk,with so many birds singing and cheeky squirrels dashing about  and other dog walkers to chat to,not lonely at all.Viktoria.
   
   

Offline sarah

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Re: Angels on Gravestones
« Reply #3 on: Monday 19 March 18 11:10 GMT (UK) »
Thank you Guy and Viktoria makes some interesting reading.

Regards Sarah
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Offline patrexjax

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Re: Angels on Gravestones
« Reply #4 on: Monday 19 March 18 11:42 GMT (UK) »
Hello Sarah! Your query brought back memories of my Aunt's grave stone. As an infant, she died in the flu epidemic. Her stone features a lamb resting on top of it.  Her parents were devout immigrants from Bohemia and Moravia. I have not seen another stone  fashioned in this way, but, I am sure there must be others. Thanks for bringing this subject onto Rootschat! patrexjax
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ERRINGTON: West Denton, NBL; 
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Offline River Tyne Lass

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Re: Angels on Gravestones
« Reply #6 on: Monday 19 March 18 18:18 GMT (UK) »
I once visited the Church grave yard at Hartburn, Northumberland with family as we have ancestors from this place.  We noticed that quite a few graves had a skull and cross bones on the memorial  We have been told that this meant death by some sort of plague. ???
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Offline sarah

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Re: Angels on Gravestones
« Reply #7 on: Monday 19 March 18 19:33 GMT (UK) »
There are some very interesting plague gravestones at Eyam in Derbyshire, worth a visit to see if you are passing through.
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Offline Viktoria

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Re: Angels on Gravestones
« Reply #8 on: Monday 19 March 18 21:27 GMT (UK) »
I once visited the Church grave yard at Hartburn, Northumberland with family as we have ancestors from this place.  We noticed that quite a few graves had a skull and cross bones on the memorial  We have been told that this meant death by some sort of plague. ???[/
 Perhaps, but often it symbolises man`s mortality, meaning we all must die.
WhenI was little there was a very old church not far from where we livedwe children played in the graveyard,there was  a skull and crossbones over the church door,we kids thought it was a pirates
church,even though it was miles and miles from the sea!     
Yes,  Eyam is a very interesting place to  visit.
The Riley graves in the little walled enclosure are particularly poignant.
Viktoria.
.