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Following Queen Victoria’s example
after the death of Prince Albert in 1861, it became customary for families to go through elaborate rituals to commemorate
their dead. This included wearing mourning clothes, having a lavish and expensive funeral, curtailing social behavior for
a set period of time, and erecting an ornate monument on the grave. Women did not falter from wearing jewellery to the lavish
funerals.
The Victorians took symbolism very seriously,
almost every form of monument in a Victorian Cemetery represents something relevant to the deceased and their family.
Many symbols would also be displayed upside
down as a representation of death. Classic examples of this can be seen in Highgate Cemetery where even the keyholes
on the cast iron catacomb doors are inverted.
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The three stepped plinth
represents "Faith, Hope and Charity", the Squirrel was just being a poser.
Urn, Symbol of death copied from cinerary urns of antiquity
Lilly's are symbolic of purity and are still one of the most common funeral flowers
Bird (often a dove) Flying down = with Holy Spirit, Flying up = the spirit ascending, Perched
= like Noah's dove after the flood
Broken column, (right side of photo) means cut off in the prime of life or a loss of support,
often denotes head of the family
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The Serpents (which can be seen on this Catacomb door) is the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic
for Eternal Life.
Scales denotes the weighing of souls for justice
Ivy, stands for memories remaining evergreen
A broken or severed flower is a sign of early or sudden death. A severed bud denotes a child
The Angel means a messenger or guide between God & man
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The Arrows represents Mortality.
The Obelisk is a tall rectangular or triangular pointed column which is the ancient Egyptian
symbol
IHS The sacred monogram, is an abbreviation of the word for Jesus in Greek
Clasped hands indicate the hope of reunification, normally between a Husband and Wife. If you
look closely you will see that one hand has a frilly cuff symbolizing the hand of the wife.
Anchor and Chain - symbolises a firm faith in salvation
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