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Flower, Thistle

THISTLE FLOWER -  Is a symbol for protection because of its prickly-edged leaves.  The Greeks believed that a thistle would protect against demons and the Germanic people made a connection between the thistle and their god Donar who was supposed to protect everyone who carries a thistle with them.  But the symbol of protection only came in full effect centuries later when the Scotts started to use this plant as their national symbol around 1200 after Christ.

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Tent

TENT -  In the Holy Bible a tent was the original tabernacle of God a place of worship, a sacred place.  That to dwell in tents signifies what is Holy of love, is evident from the signification of tents in the Holy Bible.

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Piano

PIANO -  For centuries, keyboard instruments have been a symbol of  family unity in both American and European households and bore the responsibility of lifting spirits.  Music, which in turn could symbolize feelings and messages unable to be put into words (ie, the expression of the soul). Often found on headstones of pianists. 

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Teepee (Tipi)

TEEPEE (TIPI) -  For the Plains Indians, the teepee was more than just a home—it was a sacred space.  It was placed so that the door would face the rising sun in the east, with the westerly winds to the back.  The circle, a sacred symbol of the inter-connectedness of all things, is the foundation of the teepee.  The floor symbolized the earth and the walls the sky.  A small altar built of stone or earth was used for burning incense during prayer times.

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Church, Native American

NATIVE AMERICAN CHURCH (NAC) -  The Native American Church (NAC), also known as Peyotism and Peyote Religion, is a Native American religion characterized by mixed traditional as well as Protestant beliefs and by sacramental use of the entheogen peyote.  The religion originated in the U.S.

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Flower, Sunflower

SUNFLOWER -  Symbolizes Faith.  The Sunflower moves itself in the most direct position in front of the sun so it can get the maximum sun rays. This is symbolic of spiritual faith, our devotion to God, and worship because we follow our belief system as the Sunflower moves to face the life-giving rays of the sun. The Sunflower is the perfect symbol for the faith because the blossom (bright and bountiful) is always seeking out the light. ​

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Sun (Sunrise & Sunset)

SUN (INCLUDES SUNRISE OR SUNSET) -  The sun symbolizes renewed life and everlasting life, as well as light, warmth and hope.  A Sunrise symbolizes the resurrection as the soul rises to heaven; a Sunset symbolizes the ending of life in the flesh.

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Saint Anthony of Padua

SAINT ANTHONY OF PADUA -   Catholic tradition assigns each saint visual symbols that invoke imagery of the saint's virtues and circumstances in their lives, miracles and death. These symbols serve as remembrances of the saint's life and devotions and as symbols of spiritual ideals.

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The Royal Highlanders

THE ROYAL HIGHLANDERS - The Royal Highlanders symbol includes T.R.H. (The Royal Highlanders) and P.F.V. (Prudence, Fidelity and Valor). The Royal Highlanders was a fraternal insurance organization organized in 1896 in Aurora, Hamilton County, Nebraska.  Joseph Johnson of Aurora was selected to construct the three-story brick headquarters building. The Royal Highlanders remained in Aurora until the organization merged with the Lincoln Mutual Life Insurance Company in 1923.

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Rifles, Crossed

CROSSED RIFLES -  Crossed rifles are common on military headstones. They are not specific to a branch of military and are used to denote a veteran, usually an officer.  The United States Marine Corps utilizes crossed rifles in two of its uniform markings. The first is in the rank chevrons attached to the uniform sleeves. From Lance Corporal to Master Sergeant, each insignia bears a pair of crossed rifles. The second emblem that uses crossed rifles is the expert rifleman badge.

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