Cemetery Symbolism: The Willow Tree

jason evans · 10-13-2005, 06:13 AM

The Willow Tree: symbolizing eternal grief.

Isn't it strangely poignant to depict a cemetery on a tombstone?

The Clarity of Night

Empty_Purple_Stars · 10-13-2005, 04:18 PM

WHAT?!?

One More Time..

What?!?

AlKilyu · 10-13-2005, 06:16 PM

EPS I think you are missing the symbolism here...let me demonstrate symbolism by posting a picture that symbolizes what I thought and felt when I opened this thread....

Kettu · 10-13-2005, 06:26 PM

Im going to have to agree with the Purple on this one. What the hell do trees have to do with grief?

AlKilyu · 10-13-2005, 06:26 PM

jason evans · 10-13-2005, 06:36 PM

Well folks, it's a weeping willow. Perhaps that has something to do with it. In any event, ask the Victorians. I didn't establish their cemetery art symbolism.

AlKilyu · 10-13-2005, 06:39 PM

Yes yes exactly.

Sort of like there is symbolism in this

cause sailors love to poke buttholes.

I understand.

edible_eye · 10-13-2005, 06:51 PM

i took a tour through a cemetery over the summer and believe it or not, one of the more interesting points was a review of the symbolism ascribed to pics engraved upon gravestones.

that and a little web research "learned-me" this little fact - the willow tree on a gravestone symbolizes mourning or sadness. couple that with the depiction of a cemetery and you have a very literal pictograph of mourning over death. apply that to the date of death on the gravestone - 1820's - and you have a short story of someone mourning the death of their beloved, rather than just erecting a stone, a story that has reached us now, almost 200 years later..

i find this fascinating. and although very little touches my heart, outside of experiencing my children - something like this does.

it's beautiful, in a way - a final testament to someone loving another, as well as feeling the pain of their loss, etched forever in stone for all to see.

AlKilyu · 10-13-2005, 06:56 PM

Well now I feel really bad.

Sorry.

edible_eye · 10-13-2005, 06:58 PM

no reason to feel bad, bro. it's just a different take. that's all.

and beside - if you didn't do what you do best, i'd never have had the laugh i did when i read the name of that ship.

titan uranus - hahahahahahaha. that's fuckin' awesome.

edible_eye · 10-15-2005, 09:23 PM

beside - jason should have been clearer in what he was presenting, rather than just plunking down a picture of a stone and saying - "hey, look. a willow tree on a gravestone. that's teh coolerz."

1TOOMANY · 10-19-2005, 10:50 PM

I love the way willow trees look I wanted to plant a couple on my property in the back of my house but I hear their roots could really fuck up your septic and drainage system, because they will grow into and around the pipes eventually destroying them.
Plus since I live on the bay we get really high winds from Nor'easters and I 'm told that they aren't deeply rooted trees either. That sucks cause they are really cool looking and have alot of personality. Kind of creepy in a way.