Copiah County, Mississippi

    Acorns - Power; Authority; Victory. Often seen on military graves.

    Alpha and Omega - The beginning and the end.

    Anchor - Hope; Steadfastness.

Anchor, Sextant, & Cross Staff - Could mean the person was a Mariner.

    Anchor with Crossed Canons - Confederate States Navy.

    Anchor with Chain or Rope - Emblem of the United States Navy.

    Anchors, Double with Shield - United States Coast Guard.

    Angels - Spirituality; Guardians of the tomb.

    Angel, Flying - Rebirth; Resurrection.

    Angel, Praying - Advocate asking God for mercy on behalf of the deceased.

Angel, Trumpeting - Rebirth; Resurrection.

    Arch - Victory in death; Door to Salvation.

    Arches, Double Stone - Being Rejoined in Heaven With Partner.

    Arrow(s) - Mortality; Death.

Axe, Knife, & Cleaver - Could mean the person was a Butcher.

Awl, Knife, & Nippers - Could mean the person was a Shoemaker or Cobbler.

Barber Bowl & Razor - Could mean the person was a Barber.

    Bee Flying with Gun - Seabees (US Navy)

    Beehive - Symbol of Mormonism; Masonic symbol of productivity.

    Bells & Doves - Marriage.

    Bellflower - Gratitude

    Bible - The Holy Bible is often found on the tombstones of Christians.

    Bird - Eternal Life.

Bird Flying - Ressurection.

Books, Holy - Often found on the tombstones of members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons). Two books indicate the Bible and the Book of Mormon. Three books represent the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants, and the Pearl of Great Price.

    Books, with or without Apple - Could mean the person was a Teacher.

    Book, Open - Book of Life.

    Butterfly - Shortened life.

Candle (snuffed) - Loss of Life.

    Candle, Burning - Everlasting Life.

    Castle - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

    Chain, Broken Links of - Death of a Spouse.

    Chain, Three Links - Grand United Order of Oddfellows

    Chalice - Sacrement.

    Cherubs - Innocence.

    Chi Rho - The first two letters, X (chi) & P (rho) in the Greek word for Christ.

    Child, Sleeping - Grave of a young child; Not dead, just sleeping.

    Circle of Leaves - The Circle (Womens auxillary - Woodmen of the World)

    Clover, Four-Leaf - The 4H Club.

    Coffin - Mortality.

    Column, Broken - Decay / Loss of the Head of the Family

    Compass & Square - Masons.

    Corn, Stalk of - Could mean the person was a Farmer.

Coulter (hoe) - Could mean the person was a Farmer.

Crescent - Muslum faith.

    Cross - General Symbol of Christianity. Represents the Ressurection to many Christian religions.

    Cross with Crown - In Mississippi it is usually a Christian symbol of sovereignty of the Lord.

    Cross with Flames - Symbol of the Methodist Religion.

    Cross with Jesus Christ - The Crucifixion; The Sacrifice of Christ.

    Cross, Bontonee - The Trinity.

    Cross, Celtic or Irish - Episcopalians call this the Celtic Cross, while Catholics call it the Irish Cross. Often used to denote the graves of Monks or Priests.

Cross, Crusader's - Symbol used by Europeans during the Holy War against the Muslims.

    Cross, Egyptian or Coptic - Used by the Gnostics and the Copts, it was devised from the ancient Egyptian symbol, ankh, which symbolizes life.

Cross, Greek - Most commonly known as the symbol adopted by the International Red Cross.

Cross, Jerusalem - Adopted by the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. This is another cross from the Crusades.

    Cross, Maltese w/ Firefighter Equipment. - Firefighters Emblem.

Cross, Orthodox, Patriarchal, or Eastern - The top cross bar represents the sign "Jesus Christ, King of the Jews", placed on Jesus' cross by the Romans.

    Cross, Presbyterian - Presbyterian Religion.

    Cross, Roman or Latin - Came about as a result of the Great Schism between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism.

    Cross, Southern Cross of Honor - Usually found on the tombstones of Confederate Veterans.

Cross, St. Andrew's - According to legend, when St. Andrew was martyred he claimed he was not worthy to be hung on a cross shaped as Jesus' cross. He requested that this shape be used for his execution.

Crossed Swords - High Ranking Military Person.

    Crown - The soul's achievement and the Glory of life after death.

    Crown with Cross - In Mississippi it is usually a Christian symbol of sovereignty of the Lord.

    Crown with Knight's Head, Crossed Swords, Moon & Stars - Order of DeMolay.

    Curtains / Drapes - Mourning; End of Life on Earth.

Daffodil / Narcissus - Rebirth and Ressurection.

Dart w/ figure - Mortality.

    Deer - Outdoorsman; Hunter.

    Dog - A Master worthy of love; Dog lover; Hunter

    Dove - Innocence; Peace.

Dove, Ascending - Soul rising to heaven.

Dove, Dead - Premature death.

Dove, Decending - Decent from heaven to accompany soul to heaven.

    Dove, Dive Bombing with Twig - Holy Ghost.

    Dove, Flying - Ressurrection.

    Dragonfly - Immortality and regeneration.

    Eagle - U.S. Postal Service.

Eagle with Stars & Stripes - Eternal vigilance and liberty.

    Eagle and Shield on Fleur de lis - Boy Scouts of America

    Eagle Clutching Arrows with Shield - United States Army.

    Eagles, Double w/ pyramid & the number 32 - Emblem of the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite Masons (32nd Degree).

    Eye with Sunburst or Triagle - Masonic Symbol.

Firefighter Helmet & Double Axes crossed - Mississippi State Firefighters Association.

Flail - Could mean the person was a Farmer.

Flame - Immortality of the Spirit; The Resurrection.

    Fleur-de-Lis - Faith, wisdom and valor; The Trinity, passion and love.

Fruit - Eternal Plenty; Fruit of Life.

Garland - Saintliness; Glory; Victory in Death.