We will concentrate on another aspect of gravestone design, making a real and noticeable difference to a person’s memorial headstone. Of course, that is the images used in the carvings placed upon the surface of the monument, or which make up the memorial statue that stands over the grave.
Depending on the society or religion that the departed is a member of, different symbols can mean different things, and so if you are looking for a symbol that you would like to be on your gravestone, you should be sure that what it represents is what you intend it to (https://www.gravsteingrossisten.no/). Using images simply because you like them is just as legitimate, of course, but if you are going for symbolism, then it’s best to make sure that the images you choose accurately represent the message you would like to convey through the carvings.
Biblical images are, of course, very popular, but images from the classical period, or relating to medieval or renaissance literature, have also found their place (https://www.gravsteingrossisten.no/pages/gravstein-trondheim). You can also use imagery that is a part of modern society if you like. To help you get an idea of some of the images that occur frequently, we have a few examples: Broken pillars or swords often signify a life cut short or early death. They each represent accomplishments not achieved (https://www.gravsteingrossisten.no/pages/gravstein-oslo). Skeletons or hourglasses represent the brevity of life and how quickly it flows past us. An arch can represent rejoining a partner in heaven, and a dolphin represents the swift passage to heaven. A snake chasing its own tail, peacocks, evergreens, or upturned torches can all represent eternal life.
The idea of these images is to remind mourners what life is about and give a final message to them, so it’s important to think about what ideas you would like your gravestone to leave. You can also incorporate them into the overall design, and so needn’t choose just one image. Many of these elements can work together to form a complete picture, giving a much more detailed message than one alone.