Web Page

Crown with Cross

CROWN WITH CROSS - The Cross and Crown (a cross passing through a crown), is a Christian symbol appearing in many churches, particularly Roman Catholic.  It is often interpreted as symbolizing the reward (or victory) in heaven (the crown) coming after the trials in this life (the cross).  This symbol sometimes denotes a member of the York Rite Masons.

James 1:12 (KJV) -  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

Crown

CROWN - Represents the glory of life after death and the victory and triumph over death.  As men fashioned crowns out of more enduring substances like gold, they added little spikes to call to mind power and authority.

Firefighter

FIREFIGHTER (MALTESE CROSS WITH FIREFIGHTER EQUIPMENT) - The Maltese Cross is derived from the emblem of the medieval military order of Saint John of Jerusalem, also known as the Knights Hospitaller who originally ran a hospital in Jerusalem for pilgrims to the Holy Land and then became their protectors.  There is a popular story concerning the connection between the Knights of Malta and fire fighters: The Knights of Saint John of Jerusalem (later known as the Knights of Malta) fought in the First Crusade against the Saracen.

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

Agnus Dei

AGNUS DEI - Symbol for the Lamb of God (Greek: Ἀμνὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ, Amnos tou Theou; Latin: Agnus Dei) is a title for Jesus that appears in the Gospel of John. It appears at John 1:29, where John the Baptist sees Jesus and exclaims, "Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

Cross, Celtic or Irish

CELTIC OR IRISH CROSS - Episcopalians call this the Celtic Cross, while Catholics call it the Irish Cross.  Often used to denote the graves of Monks or Priests.  The Celtic cross is a symbol used today in many contexts, both religious and secular. The Celtic cross is like a traditional cross but with a ring around the intersection of the stem and arms. The whole cross is often decorated with ornate Gaelic patterns. Sometimes the Celtic cross is set on a tall base to resemble more closely the traditional Christian cross, and at other times the symbol stands alone.

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

Compass & Square (Masonic)

COMPASS & SQUARE (MASONIC) - The Square and Compasses (or, more correctly, a square and a set of compasses joined together) is the single most identifiable symbol of Freemasonry.  Both the square and compasses are architect's tools and are used in Masonic ritual as emblems to teach symbolic lessons.  Due to slight Masonic jurisdictional differences around the world, this symbol does not always look exactly the same to all Freemasons.  Some jurisdictions call this symbol the Square and Compass, (non-plural) and a few jurisdictions omit the "G" at its center.

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

Corn

CORN - Represents Rebirth and Fertility.  Also associated with the graves of farmers.

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

Column, Broken

BROKEN COLUMN - Represents Loss of a family member; the draped column symbolizes mourning of that family member.  The draped or broken column also represents the "break" made by the deceased between the living and the dead, i.e., the transition between this world and your heavenly home. 

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

Colonial Daughters of the 17th Century

COLONIAL DAUGHTERS OF THE 17TH CENTURY - An organization for women who descended from an ancestor who rendered service in the Colonial Wars from 1607 to 1699.

Hands, Kohanim (Cohanim)

KOHANIM (COHANIM) HANDS - Hands with thumbs (and sometimes forefingers) joined.  On Jewish tombstones you will sometimes see a symbol showing two hands arranged for the Priestly Blessing like the example here. This is a symbol of the Kohen or Cohen (Hebrew for priest). The plural form is Kohanim or Cohanim.  Kohanim are assumed to be direct male descendants of Aaron, who was the first Kohen and the brother of Moses.

Click any thumbnail image to view a slideshow

Pages