Laurel Grove Cemetery is a located in west Savannah. This Victorian era cemetery opened in 1853. The original cemetery has countless graves of many of Savannah's Confederate veterans of the Civil War. Laurel Grove South holds the graves of thousands of slaves and free blacks from coastal Georgia. As much as I love Bonadventure, I love the atmosphere at Laurel Grove...lots of old carved headstones and old gated plots.
A kneeling girl...
In Victorian-era cemeteries, the rose frequently adorns the graves of women. Oak leaves symbolize many things, including strength, endurance, eternity, honor, liberity, hospitality, faith and virtue.
Angels carrying babies away to heaven...
The willow tree symbolizes immortality...
A draped cinerary urn is probably the most common 19th century funerary symbol. The drape is seen as a symbol of the veil between earth & the heavens. The urn and the willow tree were two of the first funerary motifs to replace death's heads and soul effigies when funerary symbolism started to take on a softer air after the Revolutionary War.
This is one of my favorite resurrection angels...
Each plot has a number...these are great grave markers!
Cheryl,
As someone who is also drawn to old cemeteries, I am loving all the extra, indepth info you've included in your posts. The meaning/historical relevance of the symbolism is esp. interesting to me! Well done!
xo, Sue
Posted by: Sue | July 19, 2012 at 07:52 AM
Thanks Sue...I really appreciate the comments. I love that all the symbols in cemeteries have special meanings...it is so interesting. Hope all is well with you...can't wait to see your pictures! xxoo, Cheryl
Posted by: Cheryl Simpson | July 20, 2012 at 05:10 AM