Pitcher

PITCHER - Hebrew symbol for their Levitical Priest Line.  Typically, 19th century civil records do not identify Levite status (except to the extent that a surname identifies Levite status or that the records are signed in Hebrew with a name identifying Levite status).  Accordingly, tombstones (matzevot) will often be the most reliable evidence of Levite status. 

Traditionally, Jewish tombstones will identify Levites, in Hebrew, as Ha-Levi (הלווי or הלוי), meaning the Levite.  In addition, tombstones for Levites of Ashkenazi descent will often include the Levite symbol of a pitcher (an ewer) (and, sometimes, a bowl), referring to the Levites' traditional duty, during Biblical times, of cleaning the hands of the Temple priest (the Cohen) prior to a religious service. 

Modern pitchers on headstones today represent Virtue and Control and is often found on the graves of prohibitionists.