120 Tombstone Markings
- 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 theWorld
- 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 Confeserate States
Army
- DAR Daughters
of American Revolution
- EBA Emerald Beneficial
Association
- FAA Free and Accepted
Americans
- F&AM - Free and
Accepted Masons.
- FLT-Friendship, Love,
& Truth (Independent Order of Oddfellows)
- 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
- IORM Improved Order
of Redmen
- ISH Independent Sons
of Honor
- 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
- TOTE Totem of the Eagle (goes with IORM)
- UCV United Confederate Veterans
- UDC United Daughters of the Confederacy
- VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars
- WOW Woodsmen of the World
More Tombstone Markings
When looking at the tombstones of your ancestors, look at the markings on the stone. These symbols can reveal many things about
your loved ones.
A good practice would be to take a picture of the stone, for closer examination later. Look for the engravers markings too,
look down near the base of the stone.
Don't jump to conclusions
when trying to decipher the markings.
Read literature about the work of the individual carvers and about life
during the period it was carved.
Keep in mind, any symbol can have
more than one accurate interpretation, for
example... an anchor is traditionally a sign of hope, but if the
deceased was a sailor, it would likely represent his profession, so
keep an open mind when doing your research.
The following is a list of symbols and their meanings, that most scholars agree upon.
- Anchor-Hope, Seaman
-
Angels-Rebirth, resurrection, protection, judgement, wisdom, mercy, divine love
-
Bird-Eternal life, winged soul, spirituality
-
Chain with three links-Trinity, faith
-
Fish-Christian symbol of plenty
-
Frog-Worldly pleasure, sin
-
Lamb-Innocence, sometimes used on a child's grave
-
Lamp-Immortality, knowledge of God
-
Lily-Purity
-
Lion-Courage, strength, the Resurrection
-
Hand pointing upward-Reward of the righteous; confirmation of life after death
-
Hands folded-Devotion, prayer
-
Handshakes-Farewell to earthly existence
-
Ivy-Fidelity, attachement, undying affection
-
Poppies-Eternal sleep, military service
-
Rope Circle-Eternity
-
Rose-Victory, pride, triumphant love, purity
-
Snake with its tail in its mouth-Symbolizes eternity
-
Tree Trunk, Leaning-Short interrupted life, mourning
-
Urn-Immortality, death of the body and its return to dust
-
Wreath on Skull-Victory of death over life
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