Category: Symbols

The most obvious & frequently used cemetery symbol is a skull & crossbones. Real skulls & bones were often piled at the entrance to a cemetery to leave no doubt about what was inside. Later adopted as a danger sign, an indication of poison & a pirate’s flag, it always reminds us of one thing—death.

What has always struck me as interesting is the rather comical nature of this symbol in Recoleta Cemetery. Most of the skulls have a cartoon-ish quality about them, showing a devilish grin or oddly round eye sockets:

It makes accurate depictions all the more spooky:

And although there is very little graffiti inside Recoleta Cemetery, some people get inspired by their surroundings:

Photos #3, 4, 5 & 7 by Marcelo. A later post with more photos can be found here.

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Moths are perfect symbols for cemeteries… Just think about it. As a caterpillar wraps itself in a cocoon, it appears to be dead. But after metamorphosis takes place, it is reborn as a winged creature that is attracted to light. The life cycle of a moth is therefore a wonderful allegory for a loved one who passes away, is transformed & later reborn… heading to the light:

In spite of the comforting imagery involved, there are few moths in Recoleta Cemetery. The most obvious is in the center of the entrance gate. Some sources say that it is a bee, not a moth. Even I used to believe that until I could resolve the obvious differences in body structure. Coupled with other moth images I’ve found inside (one example above), there’s no doubt in my mind that it is *not* a bee.

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Symbolism is tricky to discuss since any number of different attributes can be assigned to a single image. Certainly Greeks used the owl as a symbol of wisdom, & it eventually came to represent the goddess Athena. According to “Stories in Stone: A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism & Iconography” by Douglas Keister, owls can also signify watchfulness & contemplative solitude. Common behavior of owls can be provide comfort when associated with a cemetery, assuring vigilance during a family’s darkest hour.

The first owl anyone sees as they enter Recoleta Cemetery is the large, mustard-colored one on the entrance gate. Be sure to look up:

Others are less obvious & used for ornamentation:

If interested, check out the tombs of Ernesto Bunge or Manuel Alcorta for more images of owls.

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Life is often represented in religious art as a flame—a source of illumination & warmth. An eternal flame takes this notion one step further. But sooner or later all flames burn out. Turning a torch upside down will extinguish the flame due to lack of oxygen & is a poignant way of representing death.

Inverted torches are one of the most common symbols in cemeteries worldwide. Whether in pairs, crossed or standing alone, they remind us that someone’s flame has gone out.

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