Winged skull

I'm fascinated with old tombstones and the foliage and morning light beckon me back again and again to the old section of the cemetery. My choice today, Deborah Stockbridge's stone, 1718- 1747 has an early death's head carving...

A death's head, often with wings and/or crossed bones, was a stylized skull. Some have speculated that winged skulls were intended to symbolize a combination of physical death and spiritual regeneration. It is important to note that Boston-based Puritans did not advocate using religious symbols, such as cherubs, Christ figures, or crosses in their meetinghouses, on church silver, or on their gravestones. Puritans were adamantly against attributing human form to spiritual beings such as God, angels, or spirits.
The death's head, a non-religious symbol was the first imagery employed in gravestone carving. Other decorative motifs accompanying the death's head were the hourglass (and even a winged hourglass symbolizing the concept "time flies"), coffins, elaborately carved side panels with florets, finials, foliage, fruit, and imp-and-dagon figures. Seventeenth and eighteenth-century stones generally had solemn epitaphs which prompted passers-by to contemplate mortality and the fleeting nature of life on earth.
There were many variations of the death's head motif. The characteristics and configuration of the image depended entirely on the preferred style of the carver. Like silversmiths, tanners, carpenters, and other craftsmen, gravestone carvers had special techniques and skill. Style was almost a "calling card." Through probate research, newspaper announcements and advertisements, signed or initialed stones, ledger books, and other primary source materials, twentieth-century historians have been able to identify many of these craftsmen. As the settlers began to achieve more stable lifestyles and accumulate wealth, they were better able to afford more elaborate personal items which could serve as reflections of their socioeconomic status. These belongings could have ranged from a larger, more ostentatious house, a cupboard of silver plate or imported china, to large elaborately carved gravestones.
http://www.cityofboston.gov/parks/hbgi/iconography.asp


Yesterday's visit to our dear friend was sad and possitively heartbreaking. We hope so much that some of this intense confusion and psychic pain is reversible. She cannot appreciate her care, but it is good and we will be with her often as she travels this dark road. Good thoughts needed. And good thoughts for one of my favorite blippers who has had an accident while on vacation with quite a story. May he be released soon from his clean Danish hospital digs.

For the Record,
This day came in sunny and warmer with a hint of humidity. I had my flu shot today and my arm hurts now.

All hands healthy