Cemetery Symbolism, ~ What Do These Symbols Mean?

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  • Опубліковано 12 січ 2025

КОМЕНТАРІ • 83

  • @HarDHarr
    @HarDHarr Рік тому +21

    I do enjoy this type of video as well. I feel the same way: cemeteries are quite fascinating, with them providing the history of those who came before us and learning who they were and what their position was in their lifetime.

  • @norm9517
    @norm9517 Рік тому +13

    Cliff ,you can learn so much about the history of an area and also about the people who lived in that area, just by visiting local cemeteries. I do it all the time

  • @rikspector
    @rikspector Рік тому +11

    Cliff,
    Those older Tombstones are a great reminder
    of how much mortality was a part of their everyday lives.
    Modern medicine and technology have , for the most part,
    granted us longer and/or healthier lives.
    These people faced death from things like infections and diseases which
    we consider trivial.
    How many of us would be alive today if we had lived then?
    I know I wouldn't.
    Cheers,
    Rik Spector

  • @kranny66
    @kranny66 Рік тому +17

    I don’t think it’s strange ,my Mom took us on walks to the cemetery on Perkiomen Ave ,East Reading ,when we were little ,checking out the dates and headstones ,families used to visit graves more back in the day ,thanks for these videos ,educational and calming

  • @ruthgoebel723
    @ruthgoebel723 Рік тому +8

    Cemeteries are fascinating places. All the history those people took with them....Thanks for sharing.

  • @coalcrackerchris
    @coalcrackerchris Рік тому +8

    Could some of the symbols be a family crest? Beautiful cemetery and lots of history! Great video!

  • @sammypsychosis1674
    @sammypsychosis1674 Рік тому +5

    Woodmen of the world was a fraternal insurance group, the headstones of their members buried before 1920 are shaped like tree stumps, a symbol of a life cut short. I have seen a few of these in york county. Thought this would suit the name of the channel.

  • @tomtransport
    @tomtransport Рік тому +10

    Those obscure markings on the older tombstone's, I think they looked like small urns. I love the old cemeteries, new ones too. Thanks for the information on the old carvings. Most are self explanatory while others need a lot of explaining. The handshake means so many things. The G on the Mason stones stands for God. A few associates of mine are masons.

  • @MillerMeteor74
    @MillerMeteor74 Рік тому +2

    The one at 1:45 is either an angel or the death's head effigy, though it looks much different from what I'm used to. I'm used to the sandstone markers of Central and North Jersey. Soul effigy is another term for it, as you said. The hearts are really cool. I've never seen that before. 9:23 - I'm thinking a finial on top of an urn. I enjoyed this video. I love cemeteries, and would visit them every day if I could. I also photograph roadside memorials when I see them, which some people may find strange.

  • @ladywisewolf3942
    @ladywisewolf3942 Рік тому +5

    Cliff, About those mystery symbols you were trying to figure out( the ones with the acorn-looking thing on top). I don't know what the top part means but under that symbol on each one was a snake about to bite it's tail. This is an Ouroboros, an ancient symbol ( from the Greeks and Egyptians) meaning eternity, infinity, rebirth, unity, self reliance, the circle of life, and among some groups reincarnation.

  • @lindamccaughey6669
    @lindamccaughey6669 Рік тому +6

    Really enjoyed that thanks Cliff. It’s great learning what those symbols mean. Thanks for the share. Please take care

  • @marygreen5461
    @marygreen5461 Рік тому +7

    all the masonic sites say
    The letter G refers to geometry, the mathematical science, which is the foundation of stone masonry, and the ancient discipline from which Freemasonry derives

    • @karl5633
      @karl5633 Рік тому +1

      Some say geometry or God. Both are accepted by the craft.

  • @ritasanders5112
    @ritasanders5112 Рік тому +8

    Very interesting and educational. very well kept cemetery. Thank you for yet another great video.

  • @alexandria8255
    @alexandria8255 Рік тому +8

    Most folks don't realize they have 4 sets of great grandparents. Like my dad's father's parents and his mothers parents. Then my mom's father's parents and her mom's mother's parents. My dad's grandfather who immigrated from Germany has (The Lord is my Shepard I shall not want) written in German on his tombstone. I took pictures of all the family stones before we moved away. So the younger generations could know where we came from as I have it all posted on my Ancestry page. That acorn one reminds me more of a thistle bud. Very nice info tho!

  • @genepatterson4375
    @genepatterson4375 Рік тому +1

    I love old cemeteries, just something about them. This is an excellent video and very informative. I never knew of the symbolism on the markers and find it touching that it was done. Seeing this makes me want to go to the cemetery where my great-great grandparents are buried and find their graves.

  • @debbiehills2928
    @debbiehills2928 Рік тому +10

    ❤thanks cliff. Very interesting topic!!!😊❤

  • @darlenegood4101
    @darlenegood4101 Рік тому +2

    This video was super great. I thoroughly enjoyed the educational aspect. I hope that you include this type of content in your future cemetery videos.

  • @Dave_0993_I
    @Dave_0993_I Рік тому +5

    9:50 - looks a little like a flame burning from a pot, like a betty lamp. The eternal light of Christ? Great video, BTW - a topic of interest to me.

  • @darlenehill2246
    @darlenehill2246 Рік тому +3

    I thoroughly enjoyed this video, in fact, were I twenty years younger, I'd join you on these adventures, maybe you could get a small group, there are some old and abandoned cemeteries up this way in the Shamokin/ Gowen City area. Btw, I absolutely loved the covered bridge tour, my husband and I did that closer in our area. I'm a Pennsylvanian through and through. Love your channel.❤

  • @markandrews2942
    @markandrews2942 Рік тому +4

    Some of your flowers are actually stars. A urn or vase pictured is the fountain of life. Some of the German stones have decorations like their furniture of that period

  • @dougyeager6812
    @dougyeager6812 Рік тому +2

    I have always been interested in artistic tombstones. They do indeed have meaning which is why people visit graveyards.

  • @rickimoler7158
    @rickimoler7158 Рік тому +6

    Those flower-like designs might be called a "rosette". The bud....fleur de lis? Just a guess. Old cemeteries sure are interesting.

  • @eileenweeks1815
    @eileenweeks1815 Рік тому +2

    I enjoy walking in a cemetery. Good exercise and no screaming children or dogs. You can get a sense of the towns history too. 😊😊

  • @judithcoloma613
    @judithcoloma613 Рік тому +1

    There is an older cemetery where I used to live called "Shoops Cemetary". Route 22 is slowly crowding it. When we moved to Colonial Park in the early '60s ( I was 6 years old), Shoops Lutheran Church stood by. The area also includes some Jewish burial sites I am told. Near to the highway are two small graves with young lambs atop the tombstones. They belong to premature/stillborn twins. That was the first thing I noticed when my dad drove passed there when we moved. The church is no longer there.
    I no longer live in PA. Maybe you could make it a stop.

  • @Riddler7676
    @Riddler7676 Рік тому +3

    Very interesting video...very informative!!! Thank you Cliff!!!

  • @ginamccracken5380
    @ginamccracken5380 Рік тому

    Walking around cemeteries is rather peaceful and humbling. I love to look at all the beautiful grave stones, markers and memorials. I also get to learn about those that helped to historically establish my current city such as hospitals, parks and other historical buildings still standing to this day. We have several cemeteries in my city and one of the more popular cemeteries has a section strictly for infants called, "Baby Land."
    Respectively, it is one of the hardest areas to walk through for me without crying for all the little ones.

  • @heden1460
    @heden1460 Рік тому +2

    That was interesting. I've always wondered about some of the symbols on tombs, but never thought of looking it up.

  • @jessicajones6032
    @jessicajones6032 Рік тому +5

    Love it! Fascinating 🙌🏻

  • @deborahbowman468
    @deborahbowman468 Рік тому +4

    Very interesting and informative.
    Thanks for sharing

  • @hillarys.k8518
    @hillarys.k8518 Рік тому +2

    Cool book . I also enjoy wandering in cemeteries. Thanks .

  • @nancymann5351
    @nancymann5351 Рік тому +3

    I like the ones that look like little ghosts. Haven't seen the whole video yet as im at a family picnic. Will watch sfter i get home.

  • @57Banjoman
    @57Banjoman Рік тому

    I enjoy walking in cemeteries, as well Cliff-it makes you wonder what the people were like when they were alive-thank you!

  • @mikesweeney7190
    @mikesweeney7190 Рік тому +3

    Love this keep ot going.Thanks Cliff.

  • @marylutyger675
    @marylutyger675 Рік тому +3

    Enjoyed your cemetery visit.

  • @dixiecup3928
    @dixiecup3928 Рік тому +3

    Very interesting video! I enjoy the symbolism. My friend was a mason. The "G" stands for God. Thanks for the video. I always wondered what the symbols meant. Now I know!

  • @mcseiler5041
    @mcseiler5041 Рік тому +3

    Love these cemetry videos!

  • @christopherjohnson1803
    @christopherjohnson1803 Рік тому +8

    On some of those sandstone markers, the symbol is the only thing left. The writing totally worn off.

    • @davidmiddlebrooks5615
      @davidmiddlebrooks5615 Рік тому +1

      the lichens that grow on the rock will dissolve the rock over time, on granite outcroppings they will etch small pools which fill with water, but only after many years.

  • @eileenbauer4601
    @eileenbauer4601 Рік тому +3

    Fascinating video, thanks!

  • @daveperryman291
    @daveperryman291 Рік тому

    Thank you, Cliff. All your videos are very informative, interesting, and beautiful.

  • @christinetresler7978
    @christinetresler7978 Рік тому

    I loved this walk explaining the meanings of images!!! Well done!! I want to read that book now! Lol

  • @heidipapcunik4772
    @heidipapcunik4772 Рік тому +4

    Very informative 😊

  • @PABrewNews
    @PABrewNews Рік тому +4

    Cheers Cliff

  • @robtholt4351
    @robtholt4351 Рік тому +1

    Great video I do enjoy these videos my brother and I used to do the same thing🎉

  • @RichardSabat-tp1mj
    @RichardSabat-tp1mj Рік тому +5

    Family crest

  • @douglas_drew
    @douglas_drew Рік тому +2

    Like many of us, my having spent too much time in my youth at funerals has resulted in a lifetime of facination for the reverence of beautiful, well kept cemeteries such as these, where "Rest In Peace" is being observed. That said, I am wondering about how other people feel regarding one of my "do's" and one of my "don't's":
    Do's: Since my childhood I have always spoken openly to those people whom's graves I am visiting. Letting loved ones know they are remembered and still thought of just always seemed so appropriate to me. Introducing myself and acknowledging the deceased that I don't know seems like a common courtesy and way of reminding them that their lives and deaths mattered seems equally appropriate. Of course, there are individuals that I would no more visit after death than I would in life...
    Don't's: I understand that other people have ways of remembering their ancestors and loved ones. But I actually cringe when I see a light placed by a grave as @ 2:37. "Rest In Peace"? How can they when no one turns off the damned light?
    Great video!

    • @bernadettecartin
      @bernadettecartin Рік тому +1

      I'm guessing the light is their version of the "Eternal Flame"?

  • @cosmickidd205
    @cosmickidd205 Рік тому

    Excellent video, hopefully you will do another cemetery walk.

  • @CountryLifeEngland
    @CountryLifeEngland Рік тому

    This video is brilliant.I live in the U.K. and I have seen all those symbols here except the weird one with the snake and the vail of death. However, I never knew their precise meaning.

  • @christymagee9122
    @christymagee9122 Рік тому +3

    Very interesting

  • @lisaletto7337
    @lisaletto7337 Рік тому +1

    No idea symbolism existed! Would dots represent family members? The one we can't figure out looks like arms with clasped hands?

  • @vandalvpurdy3720
    @vandalvpurdy3720 Рік тому +7

    G means God on masonic symbol

  • @bonniereis5876
    @bonniereis5876 Рік тому

    Very interesting, well done, thank you

  • @marysheaffer8609
    @marysheaffer8609 Рік тому +1

    I found this very interesting! Thank you 😊

  • @703am
    @703am Рік тому +1

    interesting video, i 've seen one or two of the symbols but never knew what they meant

  • @bernadettecartin
    @bernadettecartin Рік тому

    Wondering if the flowers on the tombstone at 6:37 are like the ones used on hex signs. Tried to read the names on the stone and they looked German but really couldnt tell.

  • @squidgameisaliarisawnosqui5341

    Love the videos like this, for me keep them coming. Great video ty Steve on to the next

  • @Punishment1970
    @Punishment1970 Рік тому +3

    Hey man I remember you I love your video awesome you from Pennsylvania I from Allentown, Pennsylvania I'm a subscriber im a UA-camr face the ace I love your video awesome I don't have a video yet but soon I'm glad to find you in the channel

  • @cliffordfreeman7829
    @cliffordfreeman7829 Рік тому

    Yeah liked this video and would watch more of them as well.

  • @johnmefford4455
    @johnmefford4455 Рік тому +4

    Could it be a lantern.

  • @rocknrollrod5
    @rocknrollrod5 Рік тому +2

    I painted this church in the 1970ies.

    • @jayforkner2692
      @jayforkner2692 Рік тому

      Confused
      Were you a painter or an artist?

    • @rocknrollrod5
      @rocknrollrod5 Рік тому

      I painted the eves and steeple in the 70ies. I used 60- and 40-foot ladders.@@jayforkner2692

    • @bernadettecartin
      @bernadettecartin Рік тому +1

      ​@@jayforkner2692OMG I assumed they meant as a house painter and I was about to thank them and then I saw your comment. Now I am like Hmmmmmm. . . .

  • @JohnClarke808
    @JohnClarke808 Рік тому

    I stumbled across your channel. I was wondering if you knew where I could find a cemetery inscription list for my family cemetery. The cemetery is named Clarks Family Cemetery located in Mattie, Bedford County, Pennsylvania, I've found 7 graves listed with headstones in find a grave but my 7th great grandfather was interned there Samuel Clark 1730-1830, my 6th ggf Thomas Clark 1763-1808 I found him listed on DARs website for the revolutionary war no headstone my 5th ggf has a headstone Joel Clark 1793-1864. Thanks in advance

  • @christinetresler7978
    @christinetresler7978 Рік тому

    Olivia Tresler the open book, would have fit well for our Gregory's stone!!

  • @darcyshikingdiaries
    @darcyshikingdiaries Рік тому +1

    Loved this video!

  • @danielbarrett1368
    @danielbarrett1368 Рік тому

    For the sake of posterity and genealogy a lot of these tombstone should be cleaned and then I have a Sealant applied to them as a preservative against the elements

  • @Fez4ever
    @Fez4ever Рік тому

    The "G" in the Masonic Square and Compass symbol stands for both God and Geometry. With the clasped hands notice also if there are one or two fingers on the grasping hand.

  • @christinetresler7978
    @christinetresler7978 Рік тому +1

    What decent are the ppl buried there? Maybe the symbols are know by their heritage

  • @cheesefries7436
    @cheesefries7436 Рік тому

    It's interesting how sparse the cemetery is, older cemeteries are usually full in my experience.

    • @ruthgoebel723
      @ruthgoebel723 Рік тому

      Some are sparse because of the loss of tombstones due to erosion, weather, use of wooden markers, or even vandalism.

    • @douglas_drew
      @douglas_drew Рік тому

      "Family Plots" were often purchased in anticipation of eventually being filled, but with greater mobility and increased crowding in a given area, moving westward left many Family Plots unfilled.

    • @thewanderingwoodsman7227
      @thewanderingwoodsman7227  Рік тому

      Many of the oldest markers are no longer there.

  • @georgenail1289
    @georgenail1289 Рік тому

    Look see more of your tours

  • @rocknrollrod5
    @rocknrollrod5 Рік тому

    European or Masonic symbols, Fleur-de-Lis’ use by noble families, like the French royal family, represents their connection to the church.

  • @JJ-JOHNSON
    @JJ-JOHNSON Рік тому

    Ezekiel 13: 19 And will ye pollute me among my people for handfuls of barley and for pieces of bread, to slay the souls that should not die, and to save the souls alive that should not live, by your lying to my people that hear your lies?
    20 Wherefore thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against your pillows, wherewith ye there hunt the souls to make them fly, and I will tear them from your arms, and will let the souls go, even the souls that ye hunt to make them fly.

  • @georgenail1289
    @georgenail1289 Рік тому

    Seymour old towards your

  • @thaddeusmikolajczyk4518
    @thaddeusmikolajczyk4518 Рік тому +2

    Very interesting.