Cemetery Symbolism
Have you ever wondered what the meaning is behind the cemetery symbolism of old gravestones? Wisconsin’s graveyards and burial grounds are filled with 19th-century headstones engraved with clasped hands, chain links, willow trees, pointing fingers, books, and various esoteric symbols of prominent fraternal orders such the Freemasons and the Odd Fellows.
In this Youtube Short from the official Wisconsin Frights channel we take a look at the meanings of the symbols found in historic Rienzi Cemetery in Fond du Lac County (notoriously one of Wisconsin’s most haunted cemeteries) which date back as far as the first burial on the land in 1845.
Here is some of the gravestone symbols we found in Rienzi:
- Finger pointing up
- Weeping willow
- Broken pillar
- Drapery
- Clasping hands
- Wheat
- Square and compass
- I.O.O.F.
- Cannons
Watch the cemetery symbolism video
We’re working on a lot more videos like this, as well more weird Wisconsin places and history, so be sure to subscribe to Wisconsin Frights on Youtube.
