Traditionally, the eye is seen as the mirror of the soul, but especially as the Divine Eye. The use of the eye as a symbol is therefore older than Christianity. For example, in Ancient Egypt, the Eye of Horus symbolized protection, royal power, and good health. The right eye of the god Horus was also associated with the sun god Ra and was therefore also called the Eye of Ra. The Eye of Horus was given to deceased pharaohs in the form of an amulet to protect them in the afterlife.

In the Bible the eye is used as a symbol of divine omniscience and of paternal care, see for example Psalm 34:15 (KJ): "The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous [...]." Often the eye of God is depicted in a triangle, sometimes with sun rays. That triangle is the emblem of the Trinity or Trinity, the theological view that God is composed of three entities, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The sun's rays symbolize life force and immortality.

Alpha and Omega. The first and last letter of the Greek alphabet. A symbol for God as the beginning and end of the cosmos.

The basis for this symbolism are Christian scriptures as "I am the First and I am the last; besides me there is no God." (Isaiah 44: 6). Both letters were often used to decorate Christian graves, to indicate that the deceased had seen in God his beginning and his end.

Symbol of hope, taken from Hebrews 6:19 (KJ) "This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast [...]"

In the early Christian era it became a disguised symbol of redemption ('crux dissimulata') due to its cross shape. The crossbar ('stick') under the ring for the anchor rope gave the impression of a cross, which was concealed by the lower parts of the anchor. In Christian funerary sculpture the anchor is often flanked by fish or dolphins. Depicted in combination with heart and cross, it symbolizes faith, hope and love.

Victoria, the ancient winged goddess of victory, became an angel in the Christian sense, the messenger of God.

The angels are beings who move between God and humans. They are the servants of God, they deliver his messages to the people (angel Gabriel to Mary) and they try to assist and protect the faithful (guardian angel or guardian angel). Angels often hold flower or laurel wreaths, scatter flowers on the grave, make music or cry.

Children's graves often contain small angels, which originated from the naked Cupid or Eros. However, the children's angel often wears a long, wide dress, a symbol of heavenly spheres. The wings represent the divine mission. Often the angel heads with wing pairs are depicted on the tombstone. See also cherub.

An angel with a trumpet symbolizes the Last Judgment. "And He shall send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other." (Matthew 24:16 (KJ))

Symbol of a martyr's death and attribute of Saint Sebastian, the patron against the plague. In art, death was depicted as a skeleton shooting an arrow. Arrows can be seen in fences or entrance gates to cemeteries.

The spotted arum, which points its flower up towards the sky, was a symbol of Mary in the Middle Ages. Probably because of his name that is reminiscent of the Biblical Aaron. Mary's aunt, Elisabeth, was of the family Aaron. The flower was also referred to as 'lily-like pointing upwards'. The flower is often processed in garlands.

A hallmark of the night personified. The bat is seen as a demonic animal and stands for devil, evil, night and death. A bat wing is also sometimes found in combination with an hourglass and a dove wing, which symbolizes day and night and the passage of time.

The bee and beehive are ancient symbols found in many cultures. Bees were often seen as winged messengers between the world of the dead and heaven. A bee on a tombstone is often seen as a symbol of resurrection.

From the seventeenth century onwards, the beehive was used as a symbol of diligence. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the beehive was also used as a maconic symbol for work and cooperation.

In general, birds are symbols of the otherworldly, the barely attainable and of the freedom that the soul strives for. Some birds are also seen as killers, for example the crow.

A book on a grave usually refers to the Bible. As the book of life, the Bible is a common symbol on the tombs of pastors. The book is often depicted in its entirety, sometimes on a desk. The material used for the books is often marble. Sometimes a single page is also depicted, with psalm text or epitaph. A fold in a page or a bookmark usually indicates that the person has died suddenly.

A broken flower symbolizes a life cut short, usually that of a child. See also: flower.

Symbol of the immortal soul. For Christians, death is the transition to a better life, the transfer from this earthly valley of tears to the heavenly realm.

The butterfly also symbolizes the three stages that the human soul goes through: life, death and resurrection. In addition, the butterfly also stands for the transience of earthly life.

Symbol of light that reflects divine harmony. Symbol of Christ as the light of the world (John 8:12).

The Celtic or Irish Cross is a combination of the Sun-wheel; a cross with four equal arms, and the Wheel of Life. It is also a fusion with the feminine (circle) and the masculine (cross). The symbol is said to have its origin in India, where it symbolizes sexual energy between man and woman.

In the Middle Ages, Christianity integrated many crucifixes into their symbolism, and so did this one. The Celtic Cross is a popular object, both as a piece of jewelry, decoration or as a funerary monument. However, for many it is nothing more than a beautiful symbol of Christianity and sometimes a link to ancient Ireland and Scotland. The true meaning has faded into the background.

The traditional vessel, usually of gold or silver, in which the wine is consecrated at the Eucharist. The chalice is, especially together with the host (the consecrated bread), the symbol of the Christian faith. The chalice, often with a host, is depicted almost exclusively on priest tombs.