Category: Symbols

It’s difficult to believe that no other reference exists online regarding this image in cemeteries. Scissors can represent the profession of tailor or seamstress, but not in this case. The above image is found only on the front gate so the symbolism would be more general.

Another option might be a representation of The Fates, three sisters which several ancient cultures believed controlled all destiny. In the Greek version Clotho gathered material & spun the thread, Lachesis measured the thread, & Atropos cut the thread with her scissors… the end of a life. Standard depictions of Atropos show her scissors open, ready to cut the thread. The cemetery image has closed scissors paired with a knife. Big mystery.

My favorite version the sisters is “Time & Fates of Man” by American sculptor Paul Manship as part of an enormous sundial for the 1939 World’s Fair in New York City. He’s mainly known for the Prometheus Fountain in Rockefeller Center, but this was equally as impressive. The last photo is courtesy of the Life magazine archive hosted on Google:

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Circular or spherical forms represent something without a beginning or end… a natural process which unites all of us. Flowers, emblematic of beauty with a short life span, reminds us of the beauty a family member or friend shared while alive. Whether real or incoporated into sculpture, wreaths can be found scattered throughout Recoleta Cemetery:

There are even two on the main entrance gate:

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Rarely found in Recoleta Cemetery, winged spheres seem to be a composite symbol taken from the ouroboros & angelic images such as the winged hourglass.

But evidently a century ago, the idea was important enough to include it as one of the 11 symbols on the entrance gate:

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Urns are typically associated with cremation. But as a Catholic cemetery for most of its history, cremation was prohibited or discouraged by church officials. During the last 50 years, rules have been relaxed in part due to high expenses incurred from traditional burial services. Cremation has become more common, but traditional Catholics would still frown at the idea.

Remember that vaults in Recoleta Cemetery are meant to be used by families over successive generations. As the earthly remains of past generations decay over time, they can be transferred to smaller containers to make room for current family members. Although it may seem a bit gruesome, there’s no need to keep an entire casket when there are only ashes inside. Just as many caskets are traditionally draped with a cloth or shroud, so are urns.

As a decorative motif, draped urns can be found in special niches:

Or decorating the corners of family vaults:

Urns may be accompanied by an image of a woman in mourning:

They are even prominently displayed at the service entrance & on the main gate:

And as Lisandro mentioned in the comments below: “Often but not always, Christian communities during Lent use a cross with a cloth draped over its arms. This cloth is associated with the shroud of Christ left in the tomb after resurrection, & for that reason it is considered a sign of life & hope.”

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