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SHINTO -  Shinto also called kami-no-michi, is a Japanese religion.  It focuses on ritual practices to be carried out diligently, to establish a connection between present-day Japan and its ancient past.   Shinto practices were first recorded and codified in the written historical records of the Kojiki and Nihon Shoki in the 8th century.   Still, these earliest Japanese writings do not refer to a unified "Shinto religion", but rather to a collection of native beliefs and mythology.

VETERAN OF THE CROSS  -  Some of the lowest paid professionals of the Twentieth Century were men and women of the cloth who served congregations across the country.   Pastors work long hours, stay up with families in joyous times and some of the most trying times of illness and death.   Ministers are there when people get married and buried.   In many cases the pastors provide the religious education and inspiration for entire communities.  Many of them then retired from service without pensions or with very small ones.

UNION VETERANS LEAGUE (UVL) - The Union Veteran Legion was formed in 1884 for Civil War Veterans.  The requirements for membership was that UVL members were to have "volunteered prior to July 1, 1863, for a term of 3 years, and were honorably discharged".  Service in the military had to be of at least 2 years in duration if the discharge was due to wounds encountered on the battlefield.  Given these requirements, the membership of the UVL was many times smaller than that of the G.A.R.

WINGED OX (SAINT LUKE) - Luke the Evangelist, the author of the third gospel account (and the Acts of the Apostles), is symbolized by a winged ox or bull – a figure of sacrifice, service and strength.   Luke's account begins with the duties of Zacharias in the temple; it represents Jesus' sacrifice in His Passion and Crucifixion, as well as Christ being High priest.   The ox signifies that Christians should be prepared to sacrifice themselves in following Christ.

WOMAN CLINGING TO CROSS - This symbol is usually found with the verse "Rock of Ages cleft for me" or "To the cross I cling".  Symbolizing faith; a person or soul who is lost in the sea of sin, whose only hope is to cling to Christ's cross (the Rock of Ages).

JOB'S DAUGHTERS - The three women in the triangle represent the daughters of Job, and each one holds a symbol of importance to the organization. The dove stands for peace and purity, the urn of incense represents prayer, and the horn of plenty represents the hope of reward for a job well done. The words "Iyob Filiae" literally means Job's daughters in Greek.

AXE -  The axe is one of the most prominent symbols of the 22nd Degree of the Scottish Rite (Knight Royal Axe, Prins of Libanus).   Such axes were said to have been used to cut down cedars used in the building of King Solomon's Temple, The Ark of the Convenant, and even Noah's Ark.  As a cutting tool it may easily represent a "life cut short"  as well.  As with so many symbols, it has a dualistic association, by representing both destruction and creation.  Many of the Woodmen of the World memorial headstones are depicted with an axe also.

EGGS WITH DARTS - This is a common design for the edges of tombstones or as a frieze, symbolizing the resurrection after death.  The egg symbolized "life and birth" while the dart or arrow symbolize "death".

DRAGON - Dragons have captured the imagination of man for millennia and are one of the most complex and universal symbols on earth.  The Dragon is considered a fierce protector in many cultures. The dragon is also a symbol of power, strength, and good luck for people who are worthy of it.