The Anchor Cross

 

Is this an anchor or is it a cross? The answer, it is both. Not only is it both, it is a truly ancient Christian symbol.

So why did Christians think to combine the two? The anchor has long been seen as a symbol of hope and faith. Going to sea was a terribly dangerous thing to do and many never returned. It was a leap of Faith just to venture out. There have been many times in history when Christians have been persecuted, this particular symbol became their secret declaration of faith.

One of the first examples of the creation of this symbol can be found around 100 A.D. The emperor Trajan banished the fourth pope, St. Clement, to the Crimea. When the pope converted the people there, Trajan ordered that Clement be tied to an iron anchor and drowned. Tradition holds that the sea then receded three miles to reveal Clement's body buried by angels in a marble mausoleum. Whether all the details of this tale are exactly true or not, but the story of Clement's martyrdom clearly inspired the persecuted Church.

During the Roman Empire Christians were terribly persecuted. Even fed to lions as entertainment.

The Roman Emperor Constantine (306-337) actually converted to Christianity. The cross replaced the anchor as a source of encouragement to believers in troubled waters. It was no longer needed by Christians to secretly identify themselves, as now the Empire formally embraced the religion.

Other scholars, though, think the anchor slipped from use because the "symbol" was actually a word play in Greek—ankura resembling en kurio, or "in the Lord"—which disappeared as Christians chose Latin over Greek as their primary language.

 The anchor did reappear in the 1600s, when it experienced a two-century renaissance, particularly as a symbol engraved on tombs.


Today if you search, you can still find this ancient cross used on tombs. Now you know what it means.

Bastardized Symbols - their true meanings revealed.

 

One of the many aspects of being a taphophile is the study of icons and their secondary meanings when used on gravestones.  

We refer to this as Iconography.  While conducting cemetery tours, I explain to people what any given image on a stone says about the stone's owner. Many flora and fauna images used on stones have meanings speaking to faith, age or family relationships. It's a bit like reading hieroglyphics if you can speak the language.

 

 That being said, what would seeing a swastika on a gravestone say to you? What would it's secondary meaning be if not one of hate? And why would anyone use it? Read on for a quick history and the simple answer.

One thing we do know is that over time, the meaning of a symbol can change as changes in the culture also occur. Such is the case with the swastika.

We see this symbol as having a dark history. It's use is currently outlawed in Germany. All of this  can be attributed to one man's warped ambition, Adolf Hitler. In fact he hijacked not only this symbol but a second one as well during the days of the Third Reich.

A swastika plot marker from Texas.

The ironic thing is that this symbol can be traced back all the way to Roman times, and was also used by the Viking.

We can trace the use of the swastika cross well into antiquity.  It has been found on objects such as pottery and ancient coins from Gaza.  

 Some theorize that the symbol originated with the Pagans but was carried over into Christianity.

An early 1900's postcard sent for well wishes.

One thing we do know for sure, is that the word we use for it  "swastika", comes from the Sanskrit word svastika. It is derived from the  

su- meaning "good, well"  and

asti- "to be".... or svasti- thus meaning "well being". 

The suffix -ka intensifies the the verbal meaning, so literal translation could then become "that which is associated with well being" or maybe even "lucky charm". 

There is the answer, the secondary meaning.

Other names for the same symbol are many depending on the culture. It has been called the crooked cross, the angled cross, and the sun cross. In heraldry it is known as the cross cramponned due to each leg's resemblance to an iron-angle or a crampon. A Greek name for the symbol is the gammadion. Each leg of the cross resembles the gamma symbol. The use of this name can be found from Scotland to Iceland. The gammadion can be found on Celtic crosses and jewelry such as necklaces.

The swastika is also known as a gammadion cross.

Another found name for the cross is the Fylfot Cross [fil-fot]. In Britain the name fylfot came from the Anglo-Saxon's - fower fot, meaning "many footed". 

 A manuscript from the 1500's explains the use of the fylfot as a symbol to fill in the empty spaces at the bottom of stained glass windows in medieval churches.

As recently as June 12'th 1996, The British House of Commons Hastard Debate, discussed the badge of the No. 273 British Flight Squadron which uses the symbol. During the debate the ancient symbol was solely established as being called the fylfot while the Nazi symbol was to be referred to as the swastika. 

This firmly established "fylfot" as being the name of the "good" symbol. Even though the Nazi's had nothing to do with the creation of the swastika, their use of it has tainted it for all modern time.

A Christian grave featuring a Star of David.

Inevitably when one thinks of the Nazi's and their use of the swastika another symbol of that time period comes to mind.

 It is the Star of David. Also a very ancient symbol, this star has been used by Jews and Christians... yes Christians for hundreds of years.

It is formed of two triangles. One triangle being man and the other being God, the symbol represents the relationship between the two.  It is also said that the six points of the Star symbol represent all the directions within the Universe, North, South, East, West, up and down.

It was during WWII when Hilter again took control of yet another iconic faith symbol. He chose the Star of David gave it the color yellow and began to use it to "mark" all Jews.

"JEW" embroidered on a patch worn in WWII

Before this action, the Star of David was a minor Jewish symbol of faith, having equal significance with other similar faith symbols. By the end of the War, the world had witnessed the murder of six million people, many of them wearing this same small fabric star. Sadly the Star of David had forever cemented it's place in history as the absolute symbol of the Jewish people.

Fair or not, the meanings of both of these symbols have been forever altered by just one man. Certain images flash through the mind.

To place a Fylfot Cross in your window or mail postcards to your friends wishing them the power of the symbol would cause shock and inevitable scorn. Beautiful ancient symbols altered by Geo-politics. 

That being said, there was a time when these greetings would have been appreciated. 

This powerful final image, shows both symbols married together in stone forever.  Not in opposition, but complimenting each other.

In this age, who could ever have imagined such a sight?

the Claddagh

It's rare, but occasionally I stumble across this icon on a grave stone. It has to be one of the most romantic images I know of.  It's a symbol of love created in the small Galway fishing village of Claddagh. The word “Claddagh” comes from the Irish term An Cladach, meaning a flat, stony shore.


The parts of the symbol are broken down as so,
Two hands (friendship) cradling a heart (love) topped by a crown (loyalty).

Legends behind the claddagh are many but one stands out as a triumph of the power that true love can hold...

Richard Joyce, a native of the small fishing village, was captured by Algerian pirates and sold as a slave to a Moorish goldsmith. When William III of England demanded the release of all British subjects, Joyce, too, was released. Not wanting to lose a valuable and skilled apprentice, the Moorish goldsmith offered Joyce a major portion of his wealth and his daughter in marriage, if Joyce would stay on in Algiers. Joyce refused the tempting offer and returned to the village of Claddagh where he had left behind the woman he loved. Some legends say that each day Joyce took a tiny bit of gold and saved it till he had enough to form a ring. Other accounts say he designed the symbol upon his return to Ireland. Either way, the ring he made stood for eternal love and was given, with his heart, to the woman who waited for him at home.

How to wear the Claddagh

If the ring is worn on the right hand with the crown facing out ward, the heart is available and looking for love.

  If the crown is turned to face the wearer... love has been found and is being considered.

Once the ring has been transferred to the left hand, love has become eternal.

To find the Claddagh on a gravestone speaks to the love a couple shared in life and their promise to each other that not even death can take it from them.  

Seriously... is that romantic or what?

the Siren's song

Siren Song  n. An enticing plea or appeal, especially one that is deceptively alluring.

The Cemetery and Mythology... not a combination one sees very frequently. That's why I was pretty excited to find the image above.

This is the stone was dated 1849 and belonged to a 53 yr old man. The cemetery is on the Coast of Maine and holds countless ship captains. There are images of anchors and boats of all kinds on various stones here. Stories of bravery and tragedy.


Could this be a grieving wife.... yes. It may even be the classic image of the Virtue - Faith.

But, this imagery makes me think it could be even more than that. The parted curtain symbolizes the entry into Heaven. The anchor, a strong symbol of a life on the Sea as well as that of Christian faith. The finger pointed upwards, yet another sign of the final reward.

Then there is the woman herself. The first thing that struck me was her long Lady Godiva style hair. A long flowing dress with what looks like bare arms.

This would have been irresistible imagery in the mid 19'th century. Is she not a wife but a temptress maybe?



So what exactly is a Siren?





Sirens were dangerous creatures who lured mariners with their beautiful music and enchanting voices to an untimely death.

They were considered the daughters of the river god Achelous. There were said to be between 2 and 5 of them existing off the islands of Greece. There are two Sirens referred to in Homer's tale the Odyssey. As well as more references in the Iliad.

Though these creatures are tied to the Sea, they are not sea maidens and are not to be confused with mermaids. In fact they are not fish-like at all.

The earliest Greek images portraying Sirens showed them as large birds with female faces. They sang like birds and were granted wings by Demeter.





This pottery portrays an interesting legend. 

It is said that Odysseus was curious as to what the Sirens sung in their song to him, so, on Circe's advice, he had all his sailors plug their ears with beeswax and tie him to the mast. He ordered his men to leave him tied tightly to the mast, no matter how much he would beg. When he heard their beautiful song, he ordered the sailors to untie him but they bound him tighter. When they had passed out of earshot, only then was Odysseus untied.

The depictions of Sirens have changed over time as they became less bird like and portrayed more as femmes fatales.

There have even been references to them as the muses of the underworld.

Descriptions are also found of them on the islands, "lolling there in their meadow, round them heaps of corpses rotting away, rags of skin shriveling on their bones."  Not your average maiden.


With all of the death in the 19'th century by men making their fortunes from the Sea, it is no wonder the legend of the Siren may still be found in the cemetery. Though it's origins are Greek, the Siren appears any place in the world where people feared for their lives and the unknown.  Even in a small cemetery off the coast of Maine.

the Obelisk

The obelisk is one of the most classic shapes in the cemetery. But did you ever wonder what inspired it's design?

Say obelisk and no doubt the Washington Monument in our Nation's capital comes to your mind. It's one of the most famous obelisks in the world. But this shape is also found everywhere in 19'th century cemeteries. Shapes are important in cemetery art... design always has meaning.

The answer can be found in Egypt.


The Egyptians were absolute masters in forming monuments and statues that would stand the test of time. Monuments dedicated to Pharaoh were commonly portrayed as sitting. All arms and legs were carved compactly situated to the bodies. Over the ages, there were no long outreaching arms to break off unlike many Greek statues. The compact Egyptian design held up beautifully over time. They truly mastered shapes that were meant to hold up.

A main deity in the Egyptian religious beliefs, was the sun god Ra. Life was seen to come from Ra but death was also connected. The dead were buried on the west side of the Nile where the sun was seen as dying each day. On the flip side, the living stayed strictly on the east side of the Nile... here the sun was daily reborn.

The obelisk shape is said to symbolize a ray of light, associated with Ra.  Also known as a light pillar or solar pillar. It's four cornered base is solid and thicker than it's top, allowing it to withstand more than a simple pillar. A light pillar is a visual phenomenon created by the reflection of light from ice crystals with near horizontal parallel planar surfaces. The light can come from the Sun (usually at or low to the horizon) in which case the phenomenon is called a sun pillar. It can also come from the Moon or other sources such as streetlights.

 
Did you know that the obsession that fueled the obelisk movement in America had a name?

The term "Egyptomania" was coined in part due to ... Napoleon?

Yes, we have Napoleon to thank for introducing America to the "All-Things-Egyptian Craze".  Napoleon's Egyptian Campaign from 1798-1801 introduced the world to Egypt and it's culture. In the early 1800's books were being published on Egypt and the fever began to spread rapidly. There wasn't a single piece of American culture that wasn't suddenly influenced by this new trend. This was seen especially in the cemetery.

After some time the obelisk also began to take on some variations. As we see in this photo to the side, they didn't always have a simple pyramid top. Some were topped with urns.

The urns are also of Egyptian origin - (the canopic jar)

Some had small angular roof peaks. We call these vaulted obelisks.

While others had crosses attached to the tops.

Even traditionally shaped stones, like this slate, added the obelisk image .




















This truly massive obelisk towers at more than 30 feet high. A grand representation to a family's wealth and social status.

Some obelisks incorporated other traditional icons such as the classic willow or maybe a dove indicating a lost child. Multiple layers of meaning...




Hope you enjoyed this post and explanation.

Pointing Finger & Hand Stones

"I am not afraid" - captions a finger pointing upwards.

I want to take a moment to explain one of the most interesting and confusing icons of the cemetery.

I have accumulated quite a collection of them over the years.

The hand is a life symbol. When a finger is pointed upwards it is a message of faith. The person believes that, though the body has failed, the soul now continues upwards to Heaven.  Additionally on the stone above, the finger is seen pointing toward a broken chain, yet another life symbol. A link has been broken so the chain (or life) now ends. A statement of faith is added in "I am not afraid." For those of faith are said to never truly die.

One question I am asked more than anything else seems to be...

"If a finger pointed upwards means the person will go to Heaven, then what does a finger pointed downwards mean?"

This question seems to really upset people. Like a Victorian equivalent to the Puritan Death Head in the scary department.

The answer is very simple.

This is the hand of God. 

Man is not supposed to portray God as an image, it is blasphemy to do so. All we know about God's appearance is that Adam was made in his likeness.

Since the Bible refers to the "hand of God" often,  it was then deemed appropriate to show just that much of God on stones, just a hand.

This stone above is from Scarborough, Maine and it's one of the nicest I have found to demonstrate this point. Notice the heavenly clouds and radiating light? The finger also points to the Bible, again - a symbol of the faithful. This is such an amazing set of images!

Sometimes the finger is seen pointing to additional icons. Like the finger at the top which pointed to the broken chain.

This finger to the left, points to a heavenly star image.

Take notice the sleeves on hand. The stone to the right has a fancy, full sleeve complete with lace. It belongs to someone's wife. 

Another variation on the hand is the shaking hand. Looking at the sleeves is important on these images.

Two masculine sleeves is a symbol of God grasping Man's hand and bringing him into Heaven.

If one sleeve is feminine and the other masculine, it is seen as a matrimonial symbol. Husband and wife, one welcoming the other into Heaven.

The final portrayal of the hand on a stone is that of hands clasped in prayer. Again, a symbol of a person's faith.


Hope you enjoyed this explanation of the pointing finger and hand icons.

Now, it's time to get out there and find a few of your own to share!

If you'd like to share your images, you can post them on the Taphophile Corner Group Page on facebook. 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/173533606049437/

or follow me on twitter: @Taph_Corner

Reading Flora on stones

One of my favorite parts of exploring a new cemetery is deciphering the icons on the stones. The stone above is a great example of the use of floral icons. 

In the 1800's and into the early 1900's flora was used to convey personal messages, clues if you will, about the person buried there. This husband and wife stone is a fantastic example of that.

I'll explain.

First take George's side. His flora is the oak leaf. This is a pretty common symbol.

The oak is a prized hard wood which grows slowly but is extremely sturdy. If you look very carefully you will also see acorns. This is a huge clue about George and his life.

As I mentioned the oak grows slowly and takes a very long time before it produces any acorns. Therefore what this image tells us is that George lived a good long life and died at an older age. Couple that with the strength and virtue from the oak meaning. A picture of George begins to develop.

How interesting to learn that a person lived to an old age just by the symbol on a stone. Now, lets look at the other side of the stone.

Bessie's side also says a lot about who she was and how people saw her. One of the first things I noticed was the cross. This of course speaks to her faith. Wrapped around the cross is ivy. This is an important floral icon and deepens the meaning of the cross.

Ivy is one of the few plants that can remain green even when it's subjected to harsh conditions. You can freeze ivy and it will withstand.

This makes it a symbol of immortality as well as faith and fidelity (since it's color remains true). Faith to the church, and no doubt, to her husband as well.

In addition to never changing it's color, ivy also clings to things. It climbs and almost seems to support things as it grows. Therefore it is also seen as a symbol of friendship, attachment, affection and loyalty.

Wow! See how that one plant has conveyed such a beautiful message to us about Bessie?

There is one more plant mixed into her arrangement. It is the fern. Often ferns were pictured growing deep withing shaded forests. It is thought that to seek out a fern was a trek that only the most sincere would take. Even more meaning has now been added .What a fantastic compliment to the symbolism of the ivy. 

I hope you enjoyed my translations. We will not meet George and Bessie, but somehow, I think I know a lot more about who they were.