More to Discover... A Secret Language

More to Discover... A Secret Language. . , Wildlife in St. John’s Cemetery is abundant and a bird watcher’s paradise. Keep your eyes peeled for hawks. osprey, bluebirds and cardinals. The fall months bring hummingbirds and Monarch butterflies that feed on the fresh lain flowers. Around dusk you may catch a glimpse of some bats and experience swarming starlings. , Photographers frequent St. John’s Cemetery to explore the time-honored headstones and statues resting beneath some of the oldest oaks and magnolias in Pensacola. The landscapes are peaceful and quiet, void of powerlines and poles. In the summertime, the white marble stones reflect the rich pink and orange glow of the setting sun making an opportunity for some great shots. , Cemetery upkeep takes a great deal of effort. A hired crew of five men take an average of three days to mow the grass in the cemetery. However, the bulk of the maintenance is rendered by volunteers. Organizations such as Friends of St. John’s Cemetery Foundation, the Questers, and students are involved in projects throughout the year and are a vital part of the cemetery upkeep. , Cultural customs can be recognized as you wander through the cemetery. You may come upon beautifully wrapped boiled eggs sitting atop a headstone in the Greek section around Easter time. This is considered a symbol of good luck in the Greek Orthodox tradition. On military headstones you may see coins left there. A penny lets the family know someone visited their loved one. Small stones and pebbles are often left on graves here. Cemetery folklore says stones and rocks were used to prevent the deceased from rising up and escaping the body as a spirit to torment others. It is also a Jewish custom to place a stone or pebble on a headstone to indicate that you have visited the grave to honor the deceased. , The Chapel Mural painted in 2016 by artist Sophie Houser, replaced a stained glass window depicting St. John which previously had been destroyed. The Chapel is available for small gatherings before the interment of a loved one. , Grave Marker Materials , See if you can find these metals and stone used in gravestones from 1876 to today. As you search we ask that you be respectful of the gravesites, being mindful to step cautiously remembering that after decades of exposure, concrete may fail. Rubbings are permissible. Granite . Marble . Concrete . Limestone . Brass . Zinc . Iron , A Secret Language , Whether you are walking amongst ancestors or strangers, the sheer magnitude and variety of grave markers present in St. John's Cemetery are truly fascinating. You may be surprised to know that there is a secret language, communicated by symbols, on many of them. In fact, you can learn a lot about a person's story just by looking closely at his headstone. Try to find some of these symbols as you enjoy your visit today. Look for these and many other symbols within St. John's Cemetery. , Draped cloth is symbolic of the curtain between life and death. Often the veil is draped over an urn, an ancient symbol of the soul. , Wheat on a tombstone indicates a long and fruitful life. , A column indicates a noble life. When broken, it may symbolize an early death or loss of the pilot of the family. , Hands are a common symbol on grave markers and can convey a variety of meanings. A hand pointed upward signifies ascension to heaven. A hand pointed downward represents the hand of God. Clasped hands with matching cuffs signify a final farewell to earthly existence. However, mismatched cuffs symbolize a last goodbye of husband and wife , the person who died first holds the other’s hand, guiding the spouse to heaven. , Broken links in a chain represent the release of the spirit from the body. Three links together , often with the letters FLT , are the insignia of the Fraternal Order of Odd Fellows. This masonic group was named because of their “odd” dedication to giving the poor respectable burials. FLT stands for Friendship, Love, and Truth. , A weeping willow represents immortality because of the tree's ability to shed so many limbs and survive. , A wreath or laurel represents victory in death. , Angels found in a cemetery are a symbol of spirituality. , The flame represents eternity. , An anchor is a symbol of hope and steadfastness and are often found on sailors’ graves. , Tree trunks or logs are easily defined as a life cut short and commonly associated with members of the Modern Woodmen, a benevolent association. , The Masonic symbol of a square and compass icon is the single most identifiable symbol of free masonry. St. John’s Cemetery was founded and continues to be managed by Masons. Their legacy is apparent in many symbols throughout the grounds. , A dove is a Christian symbol of love and peace, resurrection, and the Holy spirit. When in flight, it represents the winged soul flying back to God. , Lambs are commonly found on the tombs of children. A lamb symbolizes meekness, innocence and sacrifice. It can also represent the Lamb of God. , A crown can represent the soul’s achievement. When placed on a cross, it recalls the sovereignty of Christ. The cross also represents Christianity. , Flowers in general represent the frailty of life, but each variety has a specific meaning. A rose, when placed on a woman’s grave, the bloom indicates the age of that woman when she died from a rosebud to full bloom. Sometimes the stem will be snapped, indicating she died too soon. Morning glory symbolizes the Resurrection; also beauty, youth, and love. Lilies symbolize the restored innocence of the soul at death; purity. Ivy represents friendship and immortality. , An open book can be representative of the Book of Life or the Bible, indicating a religious person or member of the clergy. Books may also represent knowledge or a love of learning.