The Lamb and the Dove
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With biblical and natural connections to childhood, a lamb in a cemetery was often chosen to represent innocence and as a result is typically found at the grave of a child.
The dove is a symbol of peace and innocence in Judeo-Christian tradition. In Christianity, it is often used to represent the Holy Spirit. What the dove is doing can also be meaningful; it is commonly holding an olive branch, for peace. Doves with broken wings sometimes represent innocence lost or injured at the graves of the young. A bird in flight may represent a spirit soaring. Other animals, while less frequent at Lake View, can have these types of meanings or represent a membership. |
Flowers, Leaves & Seeds
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Flowers have long been said to have their own language, and at Lake View they speak of the thousands of individuals whose graves they mark.
The most commonly represented flower here may be the lily, extolling purity and innocence. Easter lilies represent innocence of the soul; Calla lilies marriage and fidelity, while the bell-shaped Lily of the Valley signifies humility and renewal. The Fleur de Lis (left) is a stylized lily representing the Christian Holy Trinity. |
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Roses symbolize beauty, love, and hope and take a number of forms. A bud for a child, partially open for a youth, two entwined for a couple, in full bloom for the prime of life; their meaning can be very specific. Look for a blooming bud with the broken stem at Lake View; a young life about to be in full bloom, cut short. Looking to learn more about the symbolism of flowers? You might enjoy some more information about the Victorian-era "Language of Flowers" and what their meanings may be at victorian-era.org. |
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Logs of Stone |
A few more common plants and their meanings: Oak: Patience, faith, potential, endurance, & strength Ivy: Friendship, immortality, affection Palm: Eternal peace, victory over death Wheat: A rich, full life lived to ripeness Grapes: Christian faith |