---
title: 18th Century & Early New England Grave Motifs | Elegy & Ivy
description: Discover 17th-18th century motifs used in early New England cemeteries, explore their meanings, & browse available symbols for custom gravestone projects.
---
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# 17th & 18th Century Grave Symbols
## A Guide to 17th & 18th Century Gravestone Symbols
We all recognize the common gravestone symbols found in early New England burial grounds. But what do they mean? From death’s heads and winged skulls to urns, willows, and other period carvings. Click each symbol to learn its visual language of colonial mourning.
This colonial gravestone symbol library is just a sample of the designs available for [custom gravestone](https://www.elegyandivy.com/custom-gravestones?hsLang=en) projects. These motifs, and many more, are drawn from real field studies to give each piece the character of early New England carving rather than a generic modern look.
[](https://www.elegyandivy.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLL%2BgkRlSMokWhlj70DeDQnV%2FpmRKh%2BmKshjr90OFtEim8p8yZY2yAGE1YZWwEYYAYWh7%2B3t3OnTHYJ53dOStL2qlrVBtZIoGvMJymnTYFOnncyWPRwtTjowx9NhOJ2LhgBI5HxxgngS%2B%2FkoV0eiGrB25QaLB0f7iP43oLrqwjDZkmIkP%2BRM3EE3Wj9%2BMHUbX%2BJrfZiw4y1y&webInteractiveContentId=319887819457&portalId=244407732&hsLang=en)
18th Century Weeping Willow
%20Gravestone%20Symbol.png)
Flower (Rosette)
18th Century Weeping Willow and Urn
%20Gravestone%20Symbol.png)
Winged Skull (Death's Head)
Skull and Crossbones
Skeleton and Hourglass Memento Mori
_Deaths%20Head.png)
Winged Skull (Death's Head)
_Skeleton%20and%20Coffin.png)
Skeleton and Coffin Memento Mori
%20Winged%20Hourglass.png)
Winged Hourglass
18th Century Urn
18th Century Hourglass and Bones
Flowers and Cherub
## 17th & 18th Century Grave Symbol FAQs
- Are these real colonial gravestone symbols?
Yes. The symbols shown in this colonial gravestone library are based on motifs found on real early New England grave markers. They reflect the visual language of 17th and early 18th century burial grounds rather than later Victorian cemetery design.
- Why do colonial gravestone symbols look so stark compared to Victorian ones?
Compared to [Victorian gravestone symbols](https://www.elegyandivy.com/victorian-gravestone-symbol-library?hsLang=en), New England gravestone carving was generally more severe, symbolic, and religious in tone. Earlier stones often emphasized mortality, judgment, and the brevity of life, which gives many colonial motifs a plainer and more haunting character than the softer, more sentimental imagery seen in later cemeteries.
- Can Elegy & Ivy recreate early New England gravestone motifs for a custom project?
Yes. Elegy & Ivy can recreate colonial-era gravestone motifs for [custom gravestone projects](https://www.elegyandivy.com/custom-gravestones?hsLang=en). using historically grounded reference material. The goal is to capture the feel of authentic period carving, not just apply generic “old” decoration.
To get started, fill out this custom [gravestone quote form,](https://www.elegyandivy.com/custom-gravestone-inquiry?hsLang=en) or send me an email at [ElegyAndIvy@gmail.com](mailto:elegyandivy@gmail.com).
- Are there more colonial gravestone symbols available than the ones shown here?
Yep! This library is only a curated selection of colonial gravestone motifs. Additional symbols, carving styles, border treatments, and regional variations may also be available for custom gravestone work. If you have something in mind, just fill out this custom [gravestone quote form,](https://www.elegyandivy.com/custom-gravestone-inquiry?hsLang=en) or send me an email at [ElegyAndIvy@gmail.com](mailto:elegyandivy@gmail.com).
- Can I request a specific carving style from an old New England grave?
Absolutely. If you are looking for a particular colonial carving style or a motif inspired by a historic grave, Elegy & Ivy may be able to create something in that spirit for a custom project.
This is useful for historically styled displays, film work, and graveyard props that need a more convincing period look.
- Why use historically accurate gravestone symbols instead of generic Halloween designs?
Historically accurate gravestone symbols tend to look more convincing because they reflect the shapes, motifs, and visual language found on real memorials.
Even when viewers cannot identify a symbol by name, they usually recognize when a stone feels authentic. That difference can make a cemetery display, prop, or set piece look far more believable.
To get started, fill out this custom [gravestone quote form,](https://www.elegyandivy.com/custom-gravestone-inquiry?hsLang=en) or send me an email at [ElegyAndIvy@gmail.com](mailto:elegyandivy@gmail.com).
## Browse the Shop
Add these 18th Century symbols and more when you build your own custom gravestone!
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