Funeral symbols and their history: from ancient times to the present day

Civilizations have always used funeral symbols to honour the deceased and represent the passage from the life to death. These signs have spanned the centuries, assuming different meanings based on cultural beliefs and traditions.

Funeral symbols in antiquity

In Ancient Egypt, the ankh symbolized eternal life, while the ancient Greeks carved butterflies on the tombs, representing the transformation of the soul. The Romans used the dove as an emblem of peace and rebirth, while in the Middle Ages the skull with bones recalled the brevity of life.

Funeral symbols Modern

Today, many funeral symbols derive from the Christian tradition, as the angel who represents protection and guides her to the afterlife. Others, such as the rose, symbolize eternal love, while the tree represents the continuity of life. Even butterflies and Birds continue to be used to evoke the freedom of the soul after death.

Funeral symbols are a form of universal communication that helps to express feelings and keep the remembrance of the dead. Understanding its meaning allows us to honor memory of those who are no longer with greater awareness.

Discover also the importance and use of the symbols of death in the world of art.