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Symbolism of the Oak Leaf

By
Victoria
Wife of Dr. R. S. Adams
Born Oct 21, 1848
Died June 25, 1903
Mother, thou hast from us flown
To regions far above,
We to thee erect this stone
Consecrated by our love.

The oak leaf is a powerful symbol. As Douglas Keister puts it in Stories in Stone, "Just as the lion is the King of Beasts, the oak is the King of Trees." Oak leaves symbolize strength, endurance, eternity, honor, liberty, hospitality, faith, and virtue -- all combined show the force of the Christian faith.

Oak leaf tombstone located at Duluth Baptist Church Cemetery in Duluth, Gwinnett County, Georgia. Photo © 2010 S. Lincecum.
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Comments

Marian said…
I didn't know that! Interesting. Thanks!
December 13, 2010 at 4:33 PM
Life Goes On said…
What an interesting tombstone.
December 14, 2010 at 8:49 PM
S. Lincecum said…
I think so, too. It is my first leaf-shaped tombstone. :-)
December 15, 2010 at 3:45 PM
Gale Wall said…
I need to go through my photos. I found one like this and now I can't remember which cemetery. Hmmm. Maybe I have too many pics? Nahhhhh!
January 6, 2011 at 5:31 PM
S. Lincecum said…
Never too many pics, Gale! Just not enough indexing and tagging (for me, at least).
January 6, 2011 at 6:09 PM
Anonymous said…
I was born with a perfect oak leaf on my left lower back.I have always wondered what it meant now I underdtand why.I was really surprised by the maening of the oak leaf mark and it's awesome.
April 15, 2013 at 9:26 PM
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SouthernGraves.blogspot.com

The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!' Thus says the Lord God to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live...'" (Ezekiel 37:1-5, NKJV)