Welcome Tombstone Symbols and Abbreviations Common Art and Symbols
Winged death head 1600s Mortal remains of the deceased Skull and crossbones 1700s Mortal remains of the deceased Hourglass 1700s Flight of time Soul effigy 1700s The immortal soul Skeleton 1700s Death Urn 1800 & 1900s Death of the flesh Willow 1800 & 1900s Mourning and earthly sorrow Heart 1600s Soul in bliss (Colonial) Romantic love (Victorian-- present)
Rose 1600s Motherhood and beauty Archways, pillars & gates 1800s Passageway into the next life Forefinger pointing up 1900s Soul has gone to heaven Forefinger pointing down 1900s God reaching down for the soul Handshake Gold’s welcome into heaven or matrimony Book Bible or the book of life Palm leaves and lilies Resurrection Angels God’s messengers and guardians Doves Holy Spirit Lambs Purity, gentleness, innocence Broken treestump or pillar Life cut short Completed pillar or column A complete and full life Half carved, half uncarved Transition from life to death Treestumps Usually Woodmen of the World member Photographs (Victorian)
Tombstone Abbreviations
AF&AM Masonic AOF Ancient Order of Foresters AOH Ancient Order of Hibernians AOKMC Ancient Order of Knights of Mystic Chain AOUW Ancient Order of United Workmen ALOH American Legion of Honor AUM Ancient Order of Mysteries - Masonic Order BPOE Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks BPOEW Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World CK of A Catholic Knights of America COOF Catholic Order of Foresters CTAS Catholic Total Abstinence Society CBKA Commander Benevolent Knights Association CCTAS Crusaders – Catholic Total Abstinence Society CSA Confederate States of America DAR Daughters of American Revolution EBA Emerald Beneficial Association FAA Free and Accepted Americans F&AN Free and Accepted Masons FOE Fraternal Order of Eagles GALSTPTR German American Legion of St. Peter GAR Grand Army of the Republic GLAUM Grand Lodge Ancient Order of Mysteries – Masonic Order GUOOF Grand United Order of Odd Fellows IHSV Red Cross of Constantine IOI Independent Order of Immaculates IOKP Independent Order of Knights of Pythias IOOF Independent Order of Odd Fellows ISH Independent Sons of Honor IORM Improved Order of Redmen IWW Industrial Workers of the World JAOUW Junior Order - Ancient Order of United Workmen JOUAM Junior Order – Order of United American Mechanics KGL Knight Grand Legion KM Knights Militant KC Knights of Columbus K of C Knights of Columbus K of FM Knights of Father Matthew KFM Knights of Father Matthew K of H Knights of Honor K of L Knights of Loyola K M Knights of Malta (Masonic) KMC Knights of the Mystic Chain KPC Knights of Peter Claver KP Knights of Pythias K of P Knights of Pythias KSC Knights of St. Columbkille KG Knights of St. George KSTG Knights of St. George KSTI Knights of St. Ignatius K of SJ Knights of St. John KSTJ Knights of St. Joseph KSL Knights of St. Lawrence KSTM Knights of St. Martin K of STP Knights of St. Patrick KSTP Knights of St. Paul KSTP Knights of St. Peter KSTT Knights of St. Thomas K of STW Knights of St. Wenceslas KT Knights of Tabor K of T Knights of Tabor KWM Knights of Wise Men KGE Knights of Golden Eagle KHC Knights of Holy Cross KKK Knights of Klu-Klux Klan KOTM Knights of Macabees KSF Knights of Sherwood Forest KT Knights Templars (Masonic) LAOH Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians LK of A Loyal Knights of America LOM Loyal Order of the M.O.O.S.E. MOLLUS Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States MRA Royal Arcanum MWA Modern Woodsmen of America NOK New Order Knights (see KKK) OES Order of the Eastern Star OUAM Order of United American Mechanics PM Patriarchs Militant (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) POSA Patriotic Order of the Sons of America RMOKHSJ The Religious and Military Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem RSTV Rite of St. Vaclara RSTV Rite of St. Vita RK Roman Knights SR Scottish Rite (Masonic Order) RAM Royal Arch Masons RO-AUM Rosicrucian Order (Masonic) SBCL Saint Bonifazius Catholic Union SBL Society B. Lafayette SCV Sons of the Confederate Veterans SAR Sons of the American Revolution SNA-AUM Shrine of North America (Masonic) SV Sons of Veterans TH Temple of Honor – Independent Order of Odd Fellows UCV United Confederate Veterans UDC United Daughters of the Confederacy VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars WOW Woodsmen of the World
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