Cemeteries: New Madrid, County Missouri

Gravestone Initials & Symbols

AF&AM (masonic)
AOF Ancient Order Of Foresters
AOH Ancient Order Of Hibernians
AOKMC Ancient Order Of Knights of Mystic Chain
AOUW Ancient Order Of United Workmen
ALOH American Legion of Honor
AUM Ancient Order of Mysteries- Masonic Order
BPOE Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks
BPOEW Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of theWorld
CK of A Catholic Knights of America
COOF Catholic Order of Foresters
CTAS Catholic Total Abstinence Society
CBKA Commander Benevolent Knights Association
CCTAS Crusaders-Catholic Total Abstinence Society
CSA Confeserate States Army
DAR Daughters of American Revolution
EBA Emerald Beneficial Association
FAA Free and Accepted Americans
F&AM - Free and Accepted Masons.
FLT-Friendship, Love, & Truth (Independent Order of Oddfellows)
FOE Fraternal Order of Eagles
GALSTPTR German American Legion of St. Peter
GAR Grand Army of the Republic
GLAUM Grand Lodge Ancient Order of Mysteries-Masonic Order
GUOOF Grand United Order of Odd Fellows
IHSV Red Cross of Constantine
IOI Independent Order of Immaculates
IOKP Independent Order of Knights of Pythias
IOOF Independent Order of Odd Fellows
IORM Improved Order of Redmen
ISH Independent Sons of Honor
IWW Industrial Workers of the World
JAOUW Junior Order-Ancient Order of United Workmen
JOUAM Junior Order-Order of United American Mechanics
KGL Knight Grand Legion
KM Knights Militant
KC Knights of Columbus
K of C Knights of Columbus
K of FM Knights of Father Matthew
KFM Knights of Father Matthew
K of H Knights of Honor
K of L Knights of Loyola
K M Knights of Malta (Masonic)
KMC Knights of the Mystic Chain
KPC Knights of Peter Claver
KP Knights of Pythias
K of P Knights of Pythias
KSC Knights of St. Columbkille
KG Knights of St. George
KSTG Knights of St. George
KSTI Knights of St. Ignatius
K of SJ Knights of St. John
KSTJ Knights of St. Joseph
KSL Knights of St. Lawrence
KSTM Knights of St. Martin
K of STP Knights of St. Patrick
KSTP Knights of St. Paul
KSTP Knights of St. Peter
KSTT Knights of St. Thomas
K of STW Knights of St. Wenceslas
KT Knights of Tabor
K of T Knights of Tabor
KWM Knights of Wise Men
KGE Knights of Golden Eagle
KHC Knights of Holy Cross
KKK Knights of Klu-Klux Klan
KOTM Knights of Macabees
KSF Knights of Sherwood Forest
KT Knights Templars (Masonic)
LAOH Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians
LK of A Loyal Knights of America
LOM Loyal Order of the M.O.O.S.E.
MOLLUS Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
MRA Royal Arcanum
MWA Modern Woodsmen of America
NOK New Order Knights (see KKK)
OES Order of the Eastern Star
OUAM Order of United American Mechanics
PM Patriarchs Militant (Independent Order of Odd Fellows)
POSA Patriotic Order of the Sons of America
RMOKHSJ The Religious and Military Order of Knights of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem
RSTV Rite of St. Vaclara
RSTV Rite of ST. Vita
RK Roman Knights
SR Scottish Rite (Masonic Order)
RAM Royal Arch Masons
RO-AUM Rosicrucian Order (Masonic)
SBCL Saint Bonifazius Catholic Union
SBL Society B. Lafayette
SCV Sons of the Confederate Veterans
SAR Sons of the American Revolution
SNA-AUM Shrine of North America (Masonic)
SV Sons of Veterans
TH Temple of Honor-Independent Order of Odd Fellows
TOTE Totem of the Eagle (goes with IORM)
UCV United Confederate Veterans
UDC United Daughters of the Confederacy
VFW Veterans of Foreign Wars
WOW Woodsmen of the World

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 Tombstone Symbols
When looking at the tombstones of your ancestors, look at the markings on the stone. These symbols can reveal many things about your loved ones.
A good practice would be to take a picture of the stone, for closer examination later. Look for the engravers markings too, look down near the base of the stone.
Don't jump to conclusions when trying to decipher the markings.
Read literature about the work of the individual carvers and about life during the period it was carved.
Keep in mind, any symbol can have more than one accurate interpretation, for example... an anchor is traditionally a sign of hope, but if the deceased was a sailor, it would likely represent his profession, so keep an open mind when doing your research.
The following is a list of symbols and their meanings,
that most scholars agree upon.

Anchor-Hope, Seaman
Angels-Rebirth, resurrection, protection, judgement, wisdom, mercy, divine love
Bird-Eternal life, winged soul, spirituality
Chain with three links-Trinity, faith
Fish-Christian symbol of plenty
Frog-Worldly pleasure, sin
Lamb-Innocence, sometimes used on a child's grave
Lamp-Immortality, knowledge of God
Lily-Purity
Lion-Courage, strength, the Resurrection
Hand pointing upward-Reward of the righteous; confirmation of life after death
Hands folded-Devotion, prayer
Handshakes-Farewell to earthly existence
Ivy-Fidelity, attachement, undying affection
Poppies-Eternal sleep, military service
Rope Circle-Eternity
Rose-Victory, pride, triumphant love, purity
Snake with its tail in its mouth-Symbolizes eternity
Tree Trunk, Leaning-Short interrupted life, mourning
Urn-Immortality, death of the body and its return to dust
Wreath on Skull-Victory of death over life