.
~ ROCHESTER'S HISTORY ~
AN ILLUSTRATED TIMELINE
.
VICTORIAN CEMETERY SYMBOLISM
.

.
Mount Hope Cemetery, Rochester, NY
.
Doors and gates - passage into the afterlife. Heavenly entrance
Birds in flight - These are symbolic of the "winged soul." The representation of the soul by a bird goes back to ancient Egypt. Often denote the graves of children, eternal life.
Dove - An important symbolic animal in Christianity representing the Holy Spirit. The white dove is referred to in the story of baptism of Christ. "And John bore record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him" (Bible, John 1:32). The descending dove is a very common motif on grave memorials. Purity, devotion, Divine Spirit. When shown with an Olive Sprig it means Hope or Promise.
                                                  .

 | Home | Site Map | Search |