Nebraska City Nebraska

May 30th found us in Nebraska City Nebraska. I was told about a very unusual headstone located in the Wyuka Cemetery. Amazingly I found another cemetery walker. I knew the minute I saw her because she was practically giddy with excitement. She just discovered cemeteries and didn’t know about “Headstone Iconology” aka “Headstone Symbolism”. Needless to say we had a great conversation. She was visiting her daughter in Lincoln and they were combing the cemeteries in the area. I told her to go to Hiawatha to see the Davis monument on her way home.

The red rose, in Christian symbolism, became a symbol of martyrdom, while the white rose symbolized purity. In Christian mythology the rose in Paradise did not have thorns but acquired them on Earth to remind man of his fall from grace; however, the rose's fragrance and beauty remained to suggest to him what Paradise is like. The rose frequently adorns the graves of women.

Hands Clasped Hands that appear to be shaking are usually a symbol of matrimony. If you look at the sleeves one should appear to be masculine and the other feminine. If the sleeves appear to be gender neutral, the hands can represent a heavenly welcome or an earthly farewell.

I love this one. Notice the hourglass at the top. Even though I believe it to be ornamental, an hourglass does symbolize time is passing rapidly, and every day, one comes closer to their death.

 This is obvious - he is  a judge and you can tell by what is placed on his stone....

Books and Scales

The Weeping Willow Tree suggests grief, in many religions it suggest immortality.

 The desk.... strictly ornamental and clever.  He was very prosperous merchant in Nebraska City

We couldn't decide if this was an apple, a tomato, or what. The chains on it shows that the person was a member of the Odds Fellow.

The dove symbolizes purity and peace.

Shoes are often found on children's graves.

 This is definitely a WOW stone.  In cemeteries throughout the west, Dum Tacet Clamat is written on hand-carved gravestones paid for by an insurance company called the Woodmen of the World. In an era where people had no other form of insurance, they made sure that their ultimate resting place would have an appropriate marker.  Dum Tacet Clamat - Though silent, he speaks.

Epitaphs from  Wyuka Cemetery

She sleeps in peace here now the pilgrims sleep of peace!
~~~~
The mossy marbles rest On the lips that he has prest In their bloom ; And the names he loved to hear Have been carved for many a year On the tomb.