Strange symbols


You'll find this skull and crossbones on the gravestone of Jason Armstrong in the Hamilton Cemetery. Although we all know that the skull is a symbol of death, I find it odd that whoever chose this stone decided to advertise death so openly. 


Here's a closer look. It's rather creepy, especially with all the moss. If you like graves and cemeteries, take a look at Tapophile Tragics.

21 comments:

Paul in Powell River said...

A memento mori, quite common in the arts, and I would think it apt in a graveyard.

Olivier said...

une belle et tres vieille tete de mort, de quoi donner des frissons ;)

cieldequimper said...

Je me demande parfois si la mort a toujours été aussi porteuse de peur qu'elle l'est maintenant... C'est vrai que c'est étrange !

Stefan Jansson said...

Very unusual.

Birdman said...

A wonderful stone. Thanks for the link too.

Wibbo said...

I've seen this before in the UK, but usually on much older gravestones - early to mid 1700s.

Dianne said...

the moss adds incredible texture

SeaThreePeeO said...

It's more common than you think. Skulls, winged skulls and skulls and crossbones were very popular in the late 1700s until the early 1800s.

The clasping hands mean, the final farewell or farewell to life, it can also be the welcome unto heaven.

Beneath Thy Feet

Unknown said...

Was he American? If so, maybe he was related to "Skull and Bones", the US University secret society, which I don't know much about but find it very weird.

EG CameraGirl said...

It does look a bit scary, doesn't it?

Oakland Daily Photo said...

A reminder to the living, that we too share this fate.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Gosh, what in the world were they thinking of? Makes you kinda' want to do some research .(Cemeteries do that to me, but I never act on the desire.)

Lowell said...

Oooo...maybe he was a pirate who dealt in death? Aren't cemeteries fascinating places? People mostly like them. That's why they have to build fences around them. People are just dyin' to get in.

Have a nice evening!

Julie said...

Yes, I too wondered if he had been a pirate!

But yes, it does not leave much to the imagination. I do not think I have found a skull carved on a marker here in Australia as yet. But I do like all the symbolism that goes with it.

Randy said...

That's different.

Janet said...

I have never seen anything like this on a tombstone before!

Lois said...

Seems quite morbid to me.

CaT said...

i like that skull! and how it weathered...
and indeed, especially on older cemeteries in the us i have seen it quite often!

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Quite seriously weathered, makes for a good photo...

hamilton said...

that is too ghoulish for me!

Unknown said...

Coincidently I found out the shaking hands is one of the symbols of the Masonry Society.

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