Our latest holiday took us to Cornwall and we stayed in a lovely lodge near Saltash that I highly recommend. Click here to view Tamar Lodge.
I’m totally transfixed that centuries later, you can stroll among the dead in old graveyards and they can still have their say. ‘What????’
I hear you scream in horror!!!!
OK, I don’t mean literally that the dead rise and speak in person.
The Dead Do Speak
I’m talking about the symbols on the headstones that, if deciphered can tell you a story about the deceased. Some symbols are straight forward to work out, but the more symbols on the one headstone, the more difficult it gets. It’s very fascinating once you believe you have figured out the life story of the deceased, but it’s totally subjective.
Firstly, I want to express how very important it is that headstones like these are preserved for further generations to enjoy. In different parts of the country, indeed the world, headstones showcase their own style and most beautiful, in my opinion, are the carved Memento Mori headstones in the Scottish city of Edinburgh that showcase the deceased’s wealth and status.
In Cornwall, you will find headstones that are not so elaborate, but the medieval artwork etched into the stone, is so crude, but wonderful to look at. Below I will take you on a journey of my favourite headstones showing you how the dead do speak.
The Day of Judgement Headstone
‘And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: And he had in his hand a little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left foot on the earth’ Book of Revelation
The graphical account of the day of judgement can be found in the Book of Revelation. The earth is destroyed by seven angels with trumpets and the dead rise to be judged against their deeds in the book of life. I find it terrifying and always have done since a small child attending a Church of England school. Headstones like these reminded the observer that it was not only there impending death that they had to prepare for, but also a second death at the end of times when they would be judged against their deeds in the book of life. It also shows that the deceased was very much devoted to religion.
And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. – King James Bible
Cornwall is the first time I’ve seen a full skeleton depicted on a headstone that I’ve found in a graveyard. The skeleton holds a dart, which is a symbol of death. One of the angels is holding a scythe or sickle that is commonly associated with the Grim Reaper. It’s a symbol of death because of its used to cut down the harvest (reap). The scythe is also mentioned in the bible, revelation 14.
Common Headstones of Cornwall
Seeing clock dials on headstones is also new to me, yet it’s quite common in the graveyards of Cornwall that I visited. A clock can represent a passage of time and in some cases if it has hands it can show the time of death. I don’t know if that’s the case of the first headstone featuring a clock below, but it’s a fascinating thought don’t you think? It also has a crude skull above, where the hand points to, so I will stick with the meaning ‘a passage of time’, birth through to death.
Don’t you think it’s important that we are still reminded today that time is fleeting and we need to live for today instead of worrying about things that might not happen? With the year I’ve had (anxiety – you can read my personal journey here), I know that this long forgotten funerary art should make a return.
Memento Mori Headstone in Cornwall
I adore this funny looking skull and crossbones together with the Latin phrase of ‘Memento Mori‘.
I hope you’ve enjoyed our tour of Cornwall’s graveyards and if you have a place to suggest, please get in touch.
Graveyard Photography for Taphophile’s and Graveyard Tourists
If you’re looking for that special gift for a taphophile or graveyard tourist, please consider purchasing a special framed print, which is also signed from my Etsy Store.
By purchasing a framed print, you will be supporting the upkeep of my graveyard photography, which is something I really enjoy doing. I also provide custom requests, so please get in touch if you’re after something totally unique. Please take a look and feel free to share as this also supports my work.