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Contact Info.

Bart Willenborg & Alan Koester
15734 East State Hwy. 33
Effingham, IL 62401
Phone:217-857-6085
Fax: 217-857-1416 effinghammonumentinc@gmail.com
P.O. Box 899
Effingham, IL 62401
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 am-5 pm Saturday 8 am-noon

Granite Facts

Much of our granite is quarried in Elberton, Georgia. Please click here to read about the fascinating process that takes stone from the quarry all the way to the cemetery.


Home Memorial Symbolism
Memorial Symbolism PDF Print E-mail

Symbols -

While this list is not a complete list of all symbols used in memorial art, it serves as a comprehensive guide to some of the more popular symbols found in cemeteries.

Aesculapian Rod:  A serpent and staff thought by many to be the proper symbol for doctors instead of the winged Caduceus.
Anchor:  Hope; Jesus the anchor of the soul, traditional maritime symbol
Axe: A vow, consecration, defense
Banner:  Triumph, victory
Beads:  Prayer
Bell:  Invitation, call to worship
Birds:  Human souls
Bishop's Staff:  Pastoral authority
Book:  The Bible, Divine authorship, knowledge, scripture
Broken Column:  Death
Butterfly:  The Resurrection
Caduceus:  Symbol of the medical profession (There are many variations depending upon the area of specialty.)
Candle:  Jesus Christ the Light of the World, also the symbol of devotion
Candlesticks (two):  Jesus’ qualities as both God and man
Candlesticks (three) or Three-Branched Candelabrum:  The Holy Trinity
Candlesticks (five) or Five-Branched Candelabrum:  The five wounds of Christ
Candlesticks (six) or Six-Branched Candelabrum:  The six days of creation or the six hours spent by Jesus on the cross
Candlesticks (seven) or Seven-Branched Candelabrum:  The Church, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, or the Seven Sacraments
Circle:  Eternity, completeness, perfection
Crossed Keys:  St. Peter, Gates of Heaven
Crown:  Rank, sovereignty, royalty
Crown of Thorns:  The Suffering Savior,  a Passion symbol
Cross:  Christ and His atoning death, Christ’s redemption of fallen humanity
Dove:  Peace, purity, meekness, modesty, humility, the Holy Ghost, divine inspiration, innocence
Eagle:  Christ, Holy Baptism, St. John
Festoon:  Memory
Fire:  Martyrdom, zeal, inspiration, youthful fervor, hell, purgatory, sacrifice, purification
Fish:  Jesus
Fish/Three:  The Trinity
Five-Pointed Star:  The wounds of Christ, the Star of Jacob, Divine guidance and protection
Flaming Sword:  Expulsion from Eden, with shield: St. Michael
Grapes:  The Eucharist,  twelve bunches: the Apostles, clusters of grapes on a running vine: Jesus and His followers,  the Church, unity
Hand:  Issuing from clouds:  the Father
Harp:  Joy, music, symbol of St. Cecilia patron saint of musicians, associated with David and worship, worship in heaven
Heart:  Christian charity, surmounted by a flame: intense zeal or devotion
Lamb:  Innocence, purity, sacrifice, Christ
Lamp:  Knowledge, truth, enlightenment, Word of God, good works, Divine inspiration
Pastoral Staff:  Authority
Pierced Heart:  With a lance or spear, a Passion symbol
Plenty, Horn of:  The Lord's bounty, Thanksgiving
Pomegranate:  The Resurrection, immortality, royalty, fertility, The Church
Pyramid:  Light, strength
Rainbow:  Promise
Ram:  Sacrifice
Rod:  Official power, also a Passion symbol
Rope:  A Passion symbol, Judas' death
Rosary:  Prayer
Rose:  Love, Christ, The Nativity.
Rosette:  An ornament in the form of a conventional rose or other design of circular form, used as a decoration
Scallop Shell:  Baptism, the Baptism of Christ, Christian pilgrimage, and marine affairs
Scythe:  Death
Serpent:  Death, wisdom
Seven Golden Candlesticks:  The Seven Churches of Asia Minor
Seven-Branched Candlestick:  The Church, The Seven Churches of Asia Minor, The Seven Angels of the Apocalypse, The Seven Gifts of the Sheep, Christians
Twelve Sheep: The Twelve Apostles, sheep and goats:  the redeemed and the lost
Shield:  Faith, protection
Shells:  Christianity
Shepherd’s Crook:  Authority, Dominion
Staff:  Religious jurisdiction, kindness, shepherd-like qualities/responsibilities
Star:  Christ, life
Sword:  Power, justice, authority, martyrdom
Triangle:  Trinity
Trumpet:  Call to worship, call of the Holy Spirit, Judgment Day, resurrection
Urn:  Death, sorrow (draped)
Wings:  Aspiration, flight of the Gospel

Flowers -
While this list is not a complete list of all flowers, trees and other plants used in memorial art, it serves as a comprehensive guide to some of the more popular symbols found in cemeteries.

Apple:  The fall of man, sin, Eve, discord, Virgin Mary
Apple Blossom:  Fame
Azalea:  Temperance
Calla Lily:  Sympathy, zeal
Clover:  Industry
Cornucopia/Horn of Plenty:  Bounty, blessings, Thanksgiving
Cultivated Rose:  Everlasting love
Daisy:  The Christ Child's innocence, youth, righteousness, innocence
Dogwood:  Crucifixion
Easter Lily:  Resurrection
Grape:  Charity
Grape Vine:  The Eucharist, The Church, unity, Christ and his followers
Holly:  Christmas
Iris:  God-like qualities, eloquence, a message, protection
Ivy:  Memory, remembrance, faithfulness, friendship, (often seen with oak)
Laurel Wreath:  Triumph, victory, distinction, reward, good report
Lily:  Easter, resurrection, the Virgin Mary, purity
Lily of the Valley:  The Virgin Mary, humility, purity, return of happiness
Morning Glory:  Resurrection, youth, promise, bonds of love and affection
Oak:  Strength, virtue, character, eternity, endurance, forgiveness, independence (often seen with ivy)
Olive Branch:  Peace, victory
Orange Blossom:  Matrimony, chastity, purity
Palm:  Victory, eternal peace, heavenly reward, success, righteousness, martyrdom, victory over sin and death
Papyrus:  Love
Passion Flower:  Crucifixion, Passion of Christ
Pine:  Eternity, everlasting life
Pineapple:  Friendship, hospitality
Pine Cone:  Fertility, regeneration, healing
Poinsettia:  Christmas, birth of Hope
Pomegranate:  Resurrection, immortality, royalty, eternity, The Church
Poppy:  Sleep, consolation, rest
Rose:  Love, Christ, Nativity, joy, martyrdom
Rosette:  Decorative form of rose in a circle
Sunflower:  Adoration, glory, the soul turning to Christ
Thistle:  Independence, austerity, sin, the fall of man
Tulip:  Love, charity, declaration of love, ardent affection
Violets:  Modesty, humility, graciousness, affection, faithfulness, sweetness, loyalty
Wheat:  Riches, thanksgiving, life, bread of life, Body of Christ
Wheat/Broken:  Death
Wheat/Bundle:  Harvest, bounty
Wild Rose:  Love, Christ, Messianic promise

 

 

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