Widow's Weeds and Weeping Veils

Mourning Rituals in 19th Century America

Bernadette Loeffel-Atkins

• Publisher: Gettysburg Publishing
• Year: 2012
• Print ISBN: 9780983863113
• eBook ISBN: 9781734627619
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: American Civil War History
• Index: History

During the 19th century, death shadowed daily life. A high infant mortality rate, poor sanitation, risk during childbirth, poisons, ignorance, and war kept 19th-century Americans busy practicing the ritual of mourning. The Victorian era in both Europe and America saw these rituals elevated to an art form expressing not only grief, but also religious feeling, social obligation, and even mourning fashion. Complete with period illustrations, Widow's Weeds and Weeping Veils explores how Victorians viewed death and dying as a result of the profound historical events of their time. This concise, informative work is ideal for students of Victorian-era culture and Civil War enthusiasts.

Gravestone Symbolism

For those who study or photograph gravestone art, the symbolism and icons carved on the stones can be quite thought provoking. Many of the designs are easy to interpret while others are difficult and have multiple meanings.

Gravestone iconography has changed over the years. Visitors in Early American church and graveyards will witness symbols that remind us of impending death. The seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries were preoccupied with mortality and the fear of dying. The harsh reality of death was depicted with spent hourglasses, winged skulls, skeletons, scythes, coffins and candle snuffers.

Attitudes changed in the nineteenth-century. Rural park cemeteries became popular and the stones and monuments were covered in floral designs, winged cherubs and angels, weeping willows, draped urns, heavenly gates, lambs and other gentle symbols to remind us that death would reunite us with our loved ones.

Acorn – The seed of the oak, a symbol of strength and potential. In Celtic and Norse culture, acorns symbolize life, fertility and immortality.

Anchor – Symbol of hope or the seafaring profession.

Angel, Weeping – Mourning or grief.

Arches – Victory in Death.

Arrows – Mortality.

Bird – Eternal life.

Book – A Scholar, faith, the Book of Life.

Bouquet – Grief, sorrow, condolences.

Bridge – Between life and death, between heaven and earth, physical and spiritual.

Broken column – Life cut short, loss of head of family.

Broken Ring – Family circle severed.

Buds – The Spring of one’s life. Renewal of life.

Bugles – Military or resurrection.

Butterfly – Resurrection, transformation, rebirth.

Calla Lily – Symbolizes marriage.

Candle – Divine light of Christ, truth, eternal life.

Candle being Snuffed - Mortality, time has run out.

Chains – Golden chain bounding the soul to the body. I.O.O.F. insignia.

Chalice – The Sacraments, With white circle, Holy Communion.

Cherub – Innocence, Angelic.

Clock – Time has run out, a new beginning.

Corn – Lived to a ripe old age.

Coffin – Mortality.

Cross – Symbol of faith.

Cross, Celtic – Christian symbol of the unification of heaven and earth, Ireland.

Crossed Swords – Cavalry, military person.

Crown – The crown of righteousness.

Crucifix – The sacrifice Jesus made for human salvation.

Daffodil – Death of youth, desire, grace, art, beauty.

Daisy – Innocence of child, purity of thought, Jesus the Infant.

Darts – Death, Mortality.

Dog – Courage, loyalty, vigilance.

Door – Passage from one life to another.

Dove – Peace, the Holy Spirit.

Drapes – Also called a Pall, Mourning or Mortality.

Eagle – Courage, power, victory and height.

Father Time- Mortality, death.

Flowers – Grief, sorrow, remembrance, condolences. F.L.T. (in three links of chain) - Friendship, Love and Truth. I.O.O.F.

Fruit – Abundance, seeded fruit symbolizes immortality, life and potential.

Garlands – Victory in Death.

Grapes/Grapevines – Christ’s blood and his sacrifice.

Hand with Finger Pointing – Look to God or Heaven, Gone Home.

Handshake – A variety of meanings including friendship, solidarity, unity Partnership, greeting or goodbye.

Hearts – Love of Christ, True Love, Bliss.

Hourglass – The Swiftness of Time, time is running out, the cycle of life and death.

Hourglass with Wings – A short life, time flies.

Ivy – Faithfulness, Immortality, Friendship.

Lamb – Sacrifice, Innocence, purity, gentleness.

Lamp – Knowledge, Love of learning.

Laurel Wreath – Victory.

Lily – Purity, light and perfection.

Lion – Courage, pride, strength, wisdom and valor.

Oak Leaves – Strength, maturity, ripe old age.

Pine Cone – Fertility and immorta...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Acknowledgments
• Contents
• Introduction
• Wakes and Funerals
• The Cemetery
• The Undertaker
• Caskets & Coffins
• The Good Death and the Art of Dying
• Morbid Desire
• Post Mortem Photography
• Spiritualism and the Afterlife
• An Uncivil Civil War
• Mourning Art
• Mourning Jewelry
• Mourning Clothing
• Men In Mourning
• Children In Mourning
• Stages of Mourning
• The Etiquette of Mourning
• The Songs of Sorrow
• The Vacant Chair and Young Willie Grout
• Epitaphs
• Funeral Recipes
• Gravestone Symbolism
• The Tear Catcher
• Mourning Collectibles
• Victorian Charm Strings
• End of an Era
• Endnotes
• Photo Credits
• Bibliography
• About the Author