The Meanings of Tombstone Carvings
| 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 |
| BPOEW | Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World |
| BPOE | Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks |
| CAR | Children of the American Revolution |
| CK of A | Catholic Knights of America |
| COOF | Catholic Order of Foresters |
| CTAS | Catholic Total Abstinence Society |
| CBKA | Commander Benevolent Knights Association |
| CCTAS | Crusader - Catholic Total Abstinence Society |
| CSA | Confederate States Army |
| DAR | Daughters of the American Revolution |
| EBA | Emerald Beneficial Association |
| FAA | Free and Accepted Americans |
| FOE | Fraternal Order of Eagles |
| FOP | Fraternal Order of Police |
| F & AM | Free & Accepted Masons |
| 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 |
| I.O.R.M. | Improved Order of Red Men |
| IOF | Independent Order of Foresters |
| IOOF | Independent Order of Odd Fellows |
| IOJD | International Order of Job's Daughters |
| IOKP | Independent Order of Knights of Pythias |
| ISH | Independent Sons of Honor |
| IORM | Improved Order of Redmen |
| IWW | Industrial Workers of the World |
| J.O.A.M. | Junior Order of American Mechanics |
| J.O.U.A.M. | Junior Order of United American Mechanics |
| K.of C. | Knights of Columbus |
| KG | Knights of St. George |
| KGL | Knight Grand Legion |
| KM | Knights Militant |
| K of FM | 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 |
| KSC | Knights of St. Columbkille |
| K of P. | Knights of Pythias |
| 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. Paul |
| KSTP | Knights of St. Peter |
| KSTT | Knights of St. Thomas |
| K of STW | Knights of St. Wenceslas |
| KT | 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 Templar (Masonic) |
| LAOH | Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians |
| LK of A | Loyal Knights of America |
| LOM | Loyal Order of Moose |
| MOLLUS | Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States |
| MRA | Royal Arcanum |
| M.W.A. | Modern Woodmen of America |
| NOK | New Order of Knights (see KKK) |
| N.O.W. | Neighbors of Woodcraft |
| OES | Order of Eastern Star |
| OUAM | Order of United American Mechanics |
| PM | Patriarchs Millitant (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 |
| RA | Royal Academy |
| RA | Royal Arcanum |
| R.A.M. | Royal Arch Masons |
| R.N.A. | Royal Neighbors of America |
| RO-AUM | Rosicrucian Order (Masonic) |
| RSTV | Rite of St. Vaclara |
| RSTV | Rite of St. Vita |
| RK | Roman Knights |
| SAR | Sons of the American Revolution |
| SBCL | Saint Bonifazius Catholic Union |
| SBL | Society B. Lafayette |
| S.F.W.C. | Supreme Forest Woodmen Circle |
| SNA-AUM | Shrine of North America (Masonic) |
| SR | Scottish Rite (Masonic Order) |
| SV | Sons of Veterans |
| TH | Temple of Honor - Independent Order of Odd Fellows |
| UCV | United Confederate Veterans |
| UDC | United Daughters of the Confederacy |
| U.S.A. | United States Army |
| U.S.A.F. | United States Air Force |
| U.S.M.C. | United States Marine Corp |
| U.S.N. | United States Navy |
| VFW | Veterans of Foreign Wars |
| YMCA | Young Men's Christian Association |
| YWCA | Young Women's Christian Association |
| W.C. | Woodmen Circle |
| W.O.W. | Woodmen of the World |
| W.O.W. | Women of Woodcraft |
| Anchor/Ships | Hope or Seafaring profession |
| Arches | Victory in Death, Being Rejoined in Heaven With Partner |
| Arrows | Mortality |
| Beehive | Domestic Virtues, Education, Faith, Abundance in the Promised Land , Piety |
| Bell | Mourning |
| Bird | Eternal Life, Winged Soul, Spirituality |
| Book | The Devine Word or One's Accomplishments |
| Bouquets/Flowers | Condolences, grief, sorrow |
| Broken Column | Early Death, Grief, Loss of Head of Family |
| Broken Ring | Family Circle Severed |
| Buds/Rosebud | Morning of Life or Renewal of Life |
| Bugles | Resurrection and the Military |
| Burning Flame | Life or Resurrection |
| Butterfly | Short-lived - Early Death, Resurrection |
| Candle being Snuffed | Time, mortality |
| Caterpillar | Life, Metamorphosis |
| Celtic Cross | Faith and Eternity |
| Chain with Three Links | Trinity, Faith, Odd Fellows |
| Cherub | Angelic |
| Coffin, Father Time, Darts, Picks/Shovels | Mortality |
| Column | Noble Life |
| Conch Shell | Wisdom, Reincarnation |
| Corn | Ripe Old Age |
| Cross | Emblem of Faith, Resurrection |
| Crossed Swords | High-ranking military person |
| Crown | Glory of Life After Death |
| Crown Upon Skull | Triumph of Death |
| Cup or Chalice | The Sacrament |
| Cypress | Hope |
| Dolphin | Resurrection, Salvation, Bearer of Souls Across Water to Heaven |
| Door | Entrance to Heaven |
| Dove | Innocence, Gentleness, Affection, Purity |
| Drapery or Pall | Mourning or Mortality |
| Eagle | Courage, Faith, Generosity, Contemplation, Military |
| Eye | Humility |
| Female Figure | Sorrow, Grief |
| Finger Pointing Downward | Calling the Earth to Witness |
| Finger Pointing Upward | Pathway to Heaven, Heavenly Reward |
| Fish | Faith, Life, Spiritual Nourishment |
| Flag | Military, Patriotism |
| Fleur De Lys | Perfection, Light, Life, Royalty |
| Flower | Life's Frailty, Immortality |
| Flying Birds | Flight of the Soul, Rebirth |
| Frog | Worldly Pleasure, Sin |
| Fruits | Eternal plenty |
| Full-Blown Rose | Prime of Life |
| Garland | Victory in death |
| Grim Reaper | Inevitability of Death |
| Gun | Military Service |
| Hair Flowing | Penitence |
| Hand of God Chopping | Sudden Death |
| Hands Clasped | Farewell, Hope of Meeting in Eternity |
| Handshakes | Farewell |
| Harp | Praise to the Maker, Hope |
| Heart | Soul in Bliss, Love of Christ, Devotion, Sorrow, Joy, Mortality |
| Heart Pierced By Sword | Virgin Mary, Christ, Repentance |
| Heart Flaming | Religious Fervor |
| Helmet | Military |
| Horns | The Resurrection |
| Horseshoe | Protection Against Evil |
| Hourglass | Swiftness of Time, Temperance |
| Hourglass w/Wings of Time | Time Flying/Short Life |
| IHS | Eternity, Christian Symbol: "In His Service |
| Imps | Mortality |
| ISIS | Rebirth, The Virgin Mary |
| Ivy | Friendship and Immortality |
| Lamb | Innocence Especially on a Childs Grave, Resurrection |
| Laurel | Fame, Victory, Triumph |
| Lily or Lily of Valley | Emblem of Innocence and Purity |
| Lion | Courage, Bravery, Strength |
| Lotus | Purity, Resurrection, Perfect Beauty, Spiritual Revelation |
| Masonic Compass and Set Square | Freemasons, Uprightness, Judgment |
| Memento Mori | Symbol of Death and Reminder of Mortality |
| Menorah | Devine Wisdom |
| Mistletoe | Immortality |
| Moon | Death, Rebirth, Victory, Sorrow of the Crucifixion |
| Morning Glory | Beginning of Life |
| Mother and Child | Charity, Love |
| Myrtle | Undying Love, Peace |
| Naked Figure | Truth, Purity, Innocence |
| Oak Leaves and Acorn | Maturity, Ripe Old Age |
| Obelisk | Rebirth, Connection Between Earth and Heaven |
| Olive Branch | Peace, Forgiveness, Humanity |
| Open Book/ Bible | Deceased Teacher, Minister, etc. |
| Open Gates | Afterlife, The Soul Entering Heaven |
| Orb | Faith |
| Owl | Wisdom, Solitude, A Warning of Impending Death |
| Pall | Mortality, Mourning |
| Palm Branch | Signifies Victory and Rejoicing |
| Pansy | Remembrance, Meditation |
| Pick | Death, Mortality |
| Poppy | Eternal Sleep |
| Portals | Passageway to eternal journey |
| Pyramid | Resurrection, Eternal Life, Enlightenment, Spiritual Attainment |
| Rainbow | Union, Fulfillment of the Promise of Resurrection |
| Ripened Fruit | Nourishment of the Soul |
| Rod and Staff | Comfort to the Bereaved |
| Rooster | Awakening, Resurrection, Courage, Vigilance |
| Rope Circle | Eternity |
| Roses | Victory, Pride, Triumphant Love, Purity, Brevity of earthly existence |
| Scallop Shell | Rebirth, Baptism, Resurrection, Life Everlasting, Pilgrimage of Life |
| Scarab | Resurrection, Transcendence |
| Scepter | Fortitude |
| Scythe | Death, Cutting Life Short, The Final Harvest |
| Severed Branch | Mortality |
| Shamrock | Irish Descent, Holy Trinity |
| Shattered Urn | Old Age |
| Sheaf of Wheat | Ripe for Harvest, Divine Harvest, Fruitful Life |
| Shells | Pilgrimage of Life |
| Shepherd's Crook | Charity |
| Skeleton | Death, Life's Brevity |
| Skull & Crossed Bones | Death, Crucifixion |
| Skull | Transitory Nature of Earthly Life, Penitence, Mortality |
| Sleeping Cherub | Innocence (Usually on Childs Grave) |
| Smoke | Vanity, Futility of Seeking Earthly Glory |
| Snail | Laziness, Sin |
| Snake, Encircled | Everlasting Life in Heaven |
| Spade | Mortality, Death |
| Spider Web | Human Frailty |
| Star | Devine Guidance |
| Star of David | Unity, Transformation |
| Stars and Stripes Around Eagle | Eternal Vigilance, Liberty |
| Steps, 3 Tiered | Faith, Hope and Charity |
| Sun disc, Winged | Spirituality, Everlasting Life |
| Sun Rising | Renewed Life, Resurrection |
| Sun Setting | Death |
| Sun shining | Everlasting Life |
| Swallow | Motherhood, Spirit of Children, Consolation |
| Sword, Broken | Life Cut Short |
| Sword, Inverted | Relinquishment of Power, Victory |
| Sword, Sheathed | Temperance |
| Sword | Military |
| Swords, Crossed | Life Lost in Battle |
| Tablets of the Decalogue | Containing the Text From Exodus and Deuteronomy given to Moses on Mount Sinai as a Symbol of the Old Covenant |
| Tetragrammaton | Four Hebrew Letters Y, H, W, H Spelling the True Name of God, Reminder of God's Omnipresence |
| Thistles | Remembrance, Scottish Descent, Earthly Sorrow |
| Tombs | Mortality |
| Torch Inverted | Life Extinguished |
| Torch | Immortality, Purification, Truth, Wisdom |
| Tree Stump w/Ivy | Head of Family - Immortality |
| Tree | Life, Knowledge, The Fall of Man Through sin |
| Tree Sprouting | Life Everlasting |
| Tree Stump | Life Interrupted |
| Tree Trunk | Brevity of Life, Number of Broken Branches Can Indicate Deceased Family Members buried at That Site |
| Tree Trunk Leaning | Short Interrupted Life, Mourning |
| Triangle | Holy Trinity |
| Triqueta (3 Interlocking Circles or Triangles | Eternity, Trinity, Popular Motif on Celtic Crosses |
| Trumpeters | Heralds of the Resurrection, Announcement of Soul's Entrance Into Heaven |
| Urn | Immortality, Penitence, Death of the Body and It's Return to Dust in the Final Resting Place |
| Urn with /Wreath or Crepe | Mourning |
| Urn with Blaze | Undying Friendship |
| Violet | Humility |
| Wheat | Body of Christ |
| Wheel | Circle of Life |
| Weeping Willow | Emblem of Sorrow, Mourning, Grief |
| Willows |
Earthly Sorrow |
| Winged Effigies | Flight of the Soul |
| Winged Hourglass | Fleetness of Life, Mortality |
| Winged Skull | Flight of the Soul From Mortal Man |
| Wreath | Victory |
| Wreath of Roses | Heavenly Joy and Bliss |
| Wreath on Skull | Victory of Death over Life |
| Yin Yang Circle | Harmony, Balance, Birth and Death |
