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Unusual Grave Markers, Can anybody help?
Unusual Grave Markers, Can anybody help?
A friend of mine has sent me some very unusual grave markers from her family who are buried in a cemetery in Halifax. I have attached some pictures here. The symbols almost look celtic, but I have no real idea what these symbols would mean, can anybody help possibly identify if there is any significance to the symbols., Thanks
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- thumbnail_img_0498.jpg (621.74 KiB) Viewed 197946 times
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- thumbnail_img_0497.jpg (677.94 KiB) Viewed 197946 times
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- thumbnail_img_0496.jpg (711.13 KiB) Viewed 197946 times
Last edited by Chiddicks on 21 Jan 2022, 17:52, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Unusual Grave Markers, many anybody help?
Some additional pictures
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- thumbnail_img_1473.jpg (717.12 KiB) Viewed 197945 times
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- thumbnail_img_0505.jpg (618.64 KiB) Viewed 197945 times
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- thumbnail_img_0500.jpg (661.61 KiB) Viewed 197945 times
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Mick Loney
- Posts: 371
- Joined: 15 Jun 2020, 07:27
Re: Unusual Grave Markers, Can anybody help?
On a few of the gravestones, there is IHS in the middle. IHS, is a Christogram placed on a grave cross and is a monogram symbolizing Jesus Christ. (Good ole google 
)
This is common in Christian circles, especially Roman Catholicism, where it is often seen added to a crucifix.
No idea about the celtic/french (fleur de lys) symbols which can also be seen there.
)This is common in Christian circles, especially Roman Catholicism, where it is often seen added to a crucifix.
No idea about the celtic/french (fleur de lys) symbols which can also be seen there.
Re: Unusual Grave Markers, Can anybody help?
Thanks Mick, much appreciated for that. I have no idea why the same family would have the IHS symbol and the fleur de lys?
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AdrianBruce
- Posts: 358
- Joined: 14 Jun 2020, 18:57
- Location: South Cheshire
Re: Unusual Grave Markers, Can anybody help?
IHS is perfectly usual for a Christian grave. (Oddly enough, I always assumed it stood for "In His Service"!)
Adrian Bruce
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Mick Loney
- Posts: 371
- Joined: 15 Jun 2020, 07:27
Re: Unusual Grave Markers, Can anybody help?
I made an error in my first reply. It was INRI on Catholic Crucifixes, not IHS
iNRI is short for a latin phrase meaning : Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,
iNRI is short for a latin phrase meaning : Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews,
Re: Unusual Grave Markers, Can anybody help?
I thought that IHS stood for Jesus Hominum Salvator but I have just found a Catholic website that tells us it is actually the first three letters of the name Jesus in Greek - it became a sort of secret symbol, rather like the fish.
As to the elaborate crosses on the graves, I think there may have been a very skilled and persuasive monumental mason in the area who pushed his fancy crucifix designs. They don't seem to be Celtic, more like Pugin-esque mock Gothic.
As to the elaborate crosses on the graves, I think there may have been a very skilled and persuasive monumental mason in the area who pushed his fancy crucifix designs. They don't seem to be Celtic, more like Pugin-esque mock Gothic.
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AdrianBruce
- Posts: 358
- Joined: 14 Jun 2020, 18:57
- Location: South Cheshire
Re: Unusual Grave Markers, Can anybody help?
I'd tend to agree that they were simply designs of their period. Nice, perhaps unusually ornate for what they are, a bit of a status symbol, a good advert for the mason. I rather like them!
Adrian Bruce
Re: Unusual Grave Markers, Can anybody help?
Has your friend spoken to the church involved?
I wonder if there is anything written in the Parish registers/chest about the designs. I like them
I wonder if there is anything written in the Parish registers/chest about the designs. I like them
Sally
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Amazinggrace
- Posts: 42
- Joined: 14 Jun 2020, 16:22
Re: Unusual Grave Markers, Can anybody help?
I always understood that IHS stood for "I have suffered".
Grace
Grace