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Symbols

Luminaries of Dayton: The Anchor as a Cemetery Symbol

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Early Christians used the anchor as a disguised cross and as a marker to guide the way to secret meeting places. It is a Christian symbol of hope, it is found as funeral symbolism in the art of the catacombs. It is also an occupational symbol in sea-faring areas or the attribute of St. Nicholas, patron saint of the seaman, it symbolized hope and steadfastness. An anchor with a broken chain stands for the cessation of life. Anchors are also a Masonic symbol and often found on Mason’s graves as they were a symbol for well-grounded hope.

Woodland Cemetery, founded in 1841, is one of the nation’s five oldest rural garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio as you will see as you read through this new MostMetro.com series. Visit the cemetery and arboretum and take one of the many tours Woodland offers free of charge. Most of Dayton’s aviation heroes, inventors and business barons are buried at Woodland.

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue off of Brown Street near the UD Campus. The Woodland Office is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 12 pm. The Cemetery and Arboretum are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. The Mausoleum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 937-228-3221 or visit the Woodland website.

 

Luminaries of Dayton: The Angel as a Cemetery Symbol

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Angels are often referred to as Agents of God. They direct you towards Heaven. They are the guardians of the dead and they symbolize spirituality.

Angels are shown in all types of poses with different symbolism. Two angels can be named and are identified by the objects they carry: Michael, who bears a sword and Gabriel, who is depicted with a horn.

Michael is known as the leader of the angels who remained faithful to God after after the great war in heaven, overcame and cast Satan from their midst. Gabriel was sent by God to announce the birth of Jesus.

An angel with a trumpet is a symbol announcing the resurrection of the deceased’s soul entering into Heaven. It is a metaphor for the joyous resurrection of the individual in the afterlife.

Other angels you may see in the cemetery: 

→An angel carrying the departed soul, as a child in their arms or as a guardian embracing the dead.
→An angel flying represents rebirth.
→Angels gathered together in the clouds represent Heaven.
→Angels weeping symbolize grief or mourning an untimely death.

Woodland Cemetery, founded in 1841, is one of the nation’s five oldest rural garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio as you will see as you read through this new MostMetro.com series. Visit the cemetery and arboretum and take one of the many tours Woodland offers free of charge. Most of Dayton’s aviation heroes, inventors and business barons are buried at Woodland.

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue off of Brown Street near the UD Campus. The Woodland Office is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 12 pm. The Cemetery and Arboretum are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. The Mausoleum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 937-228-3221 or visit the Woodland website.