Iconography – Zoom Presentation

Iconography is the study or interpretation of images or symbols used on headstones, crypts, and mausoleums in a cemetery. Cemeteries are virtual encyclopedias of symbolism. The symbols on a person’s grave may help tell us something about their life.  Grave markers not only record the dearly departed’s name and date of birth and death, but the design can often indicate a person’s history, religion, ethnicity, culture, occupation, or social status as well as their pleasures, sorrows, and hopes for the afterlife. At Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum, we provide architectural and symbolism in-person tours throughout the year. We’ve had so much interest in the symbols on various grave markers and mausoleums that we thought we’d do a video presentation to share more information about “iconography”.