The Different Types of Crosses in the Cemetery

With this being Good Friday for the Christian religion, I thought a brief look at crosses in the cemetery might be of interest.

A cross is defined as a structure with two intersecting pieces. To the Christian faith, a cross is the symbol of Christ and Christianity.  In the cemetery, a cross may be used as a monument or memorial for someone of the Christian religion.

Types of Crosses -

Calvary Cross  - There are 3 steps that make up the base on which the cross sets.  Some bases are shaped to resemble the hill where Christ died.  In the Protestant faith the three steps represent the Holy Trinity.  In the Catholic religion the three steps stand for faith, hope and love. There are many types of cemetery markers that use this 3-step foundation.

Celtic Cross - Similar to the Latin cross but with a circle intersecting the upright and the crossbar. There are many names for what we know as the Celtic cross – the high cross, ring cross, sun cross, solar cross, wheel cross, halo cross, disc cross, Irish Cross, Woden’s Cross, Ionic Cross, Odin’s Cross and St Brigid’s Cross, although each cross has some variation. Most are ornate. Celtic crosses became popular in U.S. cemeteries in the late 19^th- century.

Cement Cross - There have been many who could not afford granite or marble tombstones, so they made due with what they had.  A homemade cross, fashioned out of cement, was used as grave marker here.

Cross and Angel – Angels are believed to be the guardians of mankind and can intercede for assistance from Heaven.  Notice the wreath that indicates victory over death being hung on the cross to the left.  

The angel on the right stands on the 3-step formation.

Cross and Chalice – The chalice represents the sacraments and forgiveness.  It usually marks the grave of clergy or priests.

Cross and Crown - This symbolizes Christ suffering on the cross and victory over death.

Cross and Lilies - Be it one lily or several, located on a cross they represent resurrection and hope.

Cross and Scythe – The scythe is an instrument used to reap grain.  It represents someone cut down in the prime of life. But when attached to the cross, hints of the divine gathering up of souls.

Cross and Wreath – This symbolizes Christ’s victory over death and eternal life.

Crucifix – Used by the Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican and Eastern Orthodox religions.  The crucifix depicts the corpus or the body of Christ, indicating that Christ is more important that the cross itself.  The Virgin Mary and Saint John may be shown at the base of the Crucifix.

Draped Cross – The draping indicates the last veil between earth and heaven.  A cross that is draped may indicate the death of an older person. 

Epitaph Cross – A cross with an epitaph engraved on it. This marker shows the epitaph written in the style of a cross.

Fleur-de-lis Cross – The arms of this cross are stylized with 3 points or petals at the ends to represent the Holy Trinity.

Greek Cross – The arms are all the same length on this cross.  This is one of the most common types of crosses in the world.

Heart Cross – This is usually a Latin cross that is embellished with a heart symbolizing love.

I H S cross – The three letters usually appear on the crossbar and are derived from the first three letters of Jesus’ name in Greek – Iota, Eta and Sigma.  This has also been said to stand for the Latin words “Iesus Hominum Salvator – “Jesus, mankind’s savior.”

$ Cross - In the Latin alphabet, I H S O Y S, again, Jesus’ name, is combined and interwoven on the intersecting section of the cross.

Latin Cross – This cross has the cross bar about 1/3 of the way down from the top and does not include the corpus or body of Christ on it.  The Protestant religions use this cross as their symbol feeling that it represents their belief in resurrection.  This is the most common type of cross in cemeteries, but is very susceptible to being broken.

Metal Cross – Wrought iron metal crosses were cast from iron.  They are usually found in Catholic German and French cemeteries. The crosses are painted silver, white or black with decorative symbols added to the rectangular or heart shaped plate attached to the front.

Woman at Cross – The statue of a woman mourning the loss of someone abounds in cemeteries around the world for women have always had the distinct responsibility of attending to the dead.

These women are leaning on the cross to gain comfort and strength.

This woman is hanging on the cross indicating unwavering faith.  This marker is commonly used on Masonic graves.

Also, there is usually a wreath on the gravestone indicating victory over death.

Tuesday, we will explore the angels that flourish in the cemetery.  Enjoy your weekend!

~ Joy

Religious Symbols in the Cemetery

It seems appropriate, with this upcoming religious holiday weekend, to take a closer look at what religious symbols can be found in the cemetery.  Here are several of them, listed alphabetically.

 

Alpha Omega – The first and last letter of the Ionic Greek alphabet.  A verse from the Book of Revelation, “I am the alpha and omega,” - the beginning and the end.

Anchor – The anchor has been a symbol of steadfastness and hope in the Christian religion.  Early Christians used the anchor as a secret symbol to guide the way to religious meetings.

Anchor with Cross – Another Christian symbol referencing a verse from the book of Hebrews referring to God as “hope we have as an anchor of the soul.”

Angels - Believed to be the spiritual messengers in most major religions.  Angels are seen as the guardians of death.  We will take a more in-depth look at angels in next Tuesday’s blog.

Book – It may be opened to indicate the Bible or The Book of Life.  A closed book may indicate the completion of a life's story.

Book with finger pointing upward indicates faith. 

Chalice – The cup represents the sacraments, especially in the Catholic rite of Communion.  Often a chalice marks the head stone of a priest.

Christ – Symbol of Christian religion.  The Savior or Redeemer.

Clergy – Those ordained to perform the duties of ministering in the Christian religion also have symbols that indicate the branch of faith they followed.

Columns joined with an archway – Portrays the entrance to heaven.

Cross – There are numerous versions of a cross.  We will take a more in-depth look at them on Friday.  For today, the cross is the most recognized Christian symbol.  Shown here are the Latin cross, used mostly in Protestant religions, and the Crucifix, used in the Catholic religion.

Crown – A symbol of victory and righteousness, triumph over death.

Dove – The dove is a symbol of devotion.

Grapes, Grape Leaves, Grape Vines– All indicate the Christian faith.

Hands – We use our hands to communicate.  Two hands held in prayer show reverence and devotion.

A hand with a finger pointing up indicates a soul’s ascension to heaven.

Therefore, you might surmise that a finger pointing down would bode ill, but actually the meaning is mortality or sudden death.

  

Harp – A symbol of music and worship in heaven.

I H S – The three letters usually appear on a cross and are derived from the first three letters of Jesus’ name in Greek – Iota, Eta and Sigma.  This has also been said to stand for the Lain words “Iesus Hominum Salvator – “Jesus, mankind’s savior.”

 $ - In the Latin alphabet, I H S O Y S, again, Jesus’ name, is combined and interwoven.

Ivy - A plant that never losses it’s color and clings tenaciously symbolizes immortality and eternal life.

Lamb – The lamb is used on the stones of children because it is a symbol of innocence.  It has been used to mark children’s graves since Egyptian times.  The lamb is also a symbol of Christ.

Lamp – Usually it has a flame rising up from it.  The lamp indicates a love of knowledge, wisdom and faith.

Lily - A lily or lilies may be used to symbolize innocence and purity.  Often they are associated with the Virgin Mary.

Rock – May be used as a headstone and is a Christian symbol of St. Peter or the resurrection of Jesus.

Scared Heart - A heart encircled with thorns indicates Christ’s suffering.

Star – A 5-pointed star is symbolic with the five wounds of Christ.

Star of David – A symbol of Judaism.  This six-pointed star represents divine protection.

Thistle – A symbol of sin and earthly sorrow.

 

Woman hanging on cross – This was originally the drawing that accompanied the hymn “Rock of Ages.”  It indicates unwavering faith.  Commonly used on Masonic graves.

 Wreath – Symbol of eternity.

Many gravestones are a combination of religious symbols that look well thought out and artistic. 

On Friday, Good Friday in the Christian religion, we will explore the variations, designs and meanings of crosses in the cemetery.

~ Joy

Burl Ives – American Folk Music Legend

Jasper County, Illinois

Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives died sixteen years ago yesterday, on April 14, 1995.  He was known as one of America's most beloved folk song singers.  Ives was born on June 14^th, 1909 in Hunt City Township, located in Jasper County, Illinois.  Ives was the son of Levi “Frank” Ives and Cordelia “Dellie” White Ives.  The migrant farming family had a musical bent.  Ives and his six brothers and sisters were taught English, Irish and Scottish folk songs while growing up.

Eastern Illinois University

Ives attended Eastern Illinois State Teachers College (now Eastern Illinois University,) in Charleston for three years before dropping out in 1930.  He decided that he would be happier wandering the country playing his banjo and singing ballads, than attending school.  Years later EIU would unveil the Burl Ives Art Studio Hall on campus, a tribute to their famed dropout.

Burl Ives

During the 1930’s, Ives was jailed in Mona, Utah for singing a ballad called 'Foggy, Foggy Dew.' Officials of the town felt the lyrics were too risqué to be sung in public.  Ives continued to wander around the country, singing and performing in summer stock. In 1940 he ended up with his own radio show called ‘The Wayfaring Stranger' on CBS affiliate, WBOW radio station in Terre Haute, Indiana.  He also began attending Indiana State Teachers College (now Indiana State University) in Terre Haute.  {Years later, when I worked at WBOW, Burl Ives stories were still favorites for the old-timers to tell.}

Decca Records - 'This is the Army' LP

In 1942, Ives was drafted into the Army and joined the cast of Irving Berlin’s musical, ‘This is the Army.”  He was honorably discharged in September 1943 due to health reasons.  From there, Ives moved to California, where he met and married Helen Peck Ehrlich.  They had one son, Alexander, born in 1949, the same year Ives had his first major hit song with his rendition of ‘Lavender Blue' a 17^th century ballad.

Ives went on to appear on numerous radio and television programs of the 1950’s.  He also appeared in several films and on Broadway.

Tennessee William's favorite play

Burl Ives and Paul Newman in
'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof'

He won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1958 for his portrayal of Big Daddy Pollitt in the film ‘Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.’  He also won a Golden Globe Award for the same film. In 1959, he garnered a Golden Globe and an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in ‘The Big Country.’

He had three folk ballads that made the top ten list in the U.S.  

They were ‘On Top of Old Smokey’ – 1951 (#10), 

‘A Little Bitty Tear’ – 1961 (#9)

And 'A Funny Way of Laughin’ – 1962 (#10), which won him a Grammy.

Rankin/Bass 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

IIves is best remembered by my generation as Sam the Snowman, the narrator in Rankin/Bass’s 1964 animated holiday TV special, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.  Sam’s animated character bore a striking resemblance to Ives, complete with pipe.  In this program, he made popular two holiday classics, ‘Silver and Gold’ and  ‘Holly Jolly Christmas.’  Both songs are still receiving airplay every Christmas, 47 years later. Rudolph has been broadcast every year since it’s debut in 1964, making it the longest running Christmas TV Special.

In 1971, Ives married Dorothy Koster Paul and gained three stepchildren.  A lifelong Mason, he was elected a Grand Cross by the Supreme Council in 1993.  The Grand Cross embalm was engraved on his monument.

Burl Ives publicity photo

In a quote from the Burl Ives website, http://www.burlives.com/

Ives said, “The way I figure it, when I die I'll simply be changing a raincoat, moving on to another level of energy, because I'm confident that energy never dies. If a piece of wood will never die, this bouncy thing called Burl will never die as well.”

Mound Cemetery,
Jasper County, Illinois

During the summer of 1994 Ives, a lifelong cigar and pipe smoker, was diagnosed with oral (mouth) cancer.  Burl Ives died on April 14, 1995 in Anacortes, Washington.  He was 86 years old.  He was buried in Mound Cemetery, just east of Newton, Illinois, in his home county of Jasper.  Liz Hartrich-Goss of Newton, Illinois did the etching of Ives that is on his monument.

The inscription on Burl Ives monument reads:

One of America’s legendary entertainers,

whose career spanned more than a half-century

crossing all international borders.

Equally at home before the royalty of Europe

and the farm folks of Midwestern USA.

A performer whose unique style adaptd to all media

Literary, Radio, Movies, Recordings, Night Clubs,

Broadway and Concert Stage.

Carl Sandburg called him

“The mightiest ballad singer

Of this or any other century.”

He lives on through his art.

June 14, 1909 – April 14, 1995

Ives once said of his craft, "Ballad singing has been going on ever since people sang at all. It comes up like an underground stream and then goes back again. But it always exists!”

All I can say is  Play is again, Sam - (the Snowman : )

 ~ Joy