Author Topic: meaning of initials on graves  (Read 16708 times)

Offline Andi R

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meaning of initials on graves
« on: Sunday 02 October 05 19:01 BST (UK) »
I've probally been told this before but what does "IHS" mean on gravestones?

Andrew
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Offline PaulineJ

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Re: meaning of initials on graves
« Reply #1 on: Sunday 02 October 05 19:05 BST (UK) »
A bit wordy, this one.  "name of Christ"

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07649a.htm

Pauline
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Offline Andi R

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Re: meaning of initials on graves
« Reply #2 on: Sunday 02 October 05 20:00 BST (UK) »
Thank you, suppose its the old fashioned form of texting language  :D

Mind you you could probally carve an inscription on a gravestone faster than I can text

Andrew
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Offline PrueM

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Re: meaning of initials on graves
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 02 October 05 23:57 BST (UK) »
It's the first three letters of the Greek spelling of "Jesus" (IHS = JES).  I think it's sometimes meant to indicate "Jesus, saviour of men".
Prue


Offline Andi R

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Re: meaning of initials on graves
« Reply #4 on: Monday 03 October 05 17:27 BST (UK) »
Again thank you, its nice to understand what your looking at.

Andrew
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Offline Jag

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Re: meaning of initials on graves
« Reply #5 on: Wednesday 05 October 05 15:02 BST (UK) »
The first three letters (iota, eta, sigma) from the start of the Greek spelling of Jesus (contracted form of word).
Bearman (Bocking), Blackwell Harrison Hough Prentice (Gt.Tey), Clarke Colman Halls Harris Windall (Coggeshall), Fincham (Aldham) Johnson (Feering Coggeshall Mersea Is. & Braintree), Kemp Watson (Braintree), Millar (Gt/Lt Tey), Parmenter (Aldham Gt Tey Bures St Mary), Pudney Seabrook (Coggeshall); Wade-Smith (Coggeshall Mersea Is. Colne Engaine Braintree), Whybrew (Aldham Coggeshall).

Offline Pat Reid

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Re: meaning of initials on graves
« Reply #6 on: Thursday 06 October 05 06:00 BST (UK) »
Andrew:
A few possibilities.
in hoc salus (I.H.S.) - There is safety in this. This is one of three interpretations of the letters IHS which often appear on Roman Catholic tombstones and monuments. Some say that this was used to mark the way to secret Christian masses in the Roman catacombs. The letters are sometimes superimposed on each other, forming an inscription that looks like this: |$|

in hoc signo spes mea (I.H.S.) - In this sign (the cross of Christ) is my hope

in hoc signos vinces (I.H.S.) - By this sign you will conquer. The Emperor Constantine is said to have seen a firey cross in the sky before the Battle of Milvan Bridge. (312 A.D.) He made his men paint crosses on their shields. They won. Constantine ceased persecution of Christians and became one on his deathbed.

The above is from a site, Tombstone Latin. http://www.alsirat.com/symbols/latin.html

Pat
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Offline VICTORIA

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Re: meaning of initials on graves
« Reply #7 on: Wednesday 12 October 05 18:10 BST (UK) »
When I was a child at school. I looked at a picture of Christ. I asked teacher what initials IHS shown on picture meant. I was told it meant. I HAVE SUFFERED.

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COLBECK,WHITEHAVEN CUMBERLAND
COLEBECK,HOPE,MILLER,LIVERPOOL
SCHAMBERG,MEMMEL PRUSSIA
ROCHE,ROACH,MAHER,FOY IRELAND
SANDFORD.TYNAN, LIVERPOOL.
HUBBARD,TAYLOR KENT.
HOPE NORTHUMBERLAND
SANDFORD NEWCASTLE/UPON/TYNE.



LANCASTER,GOWLAND,NORTHUMBERLAND
FOY, ROSCOMMON IRELAND,LIVERPOOL.
SMITH,HAMPSHIRE, & LIVERPOOL
SEALES SURREY CRADDOCK,HAMPSHIRE