#Understanding

Understanding Cemetery Symbols #76 - Plants, Flowers, & Trees #9 The Laurel Wreath
I was in the cemetery looking at various gravestones trying to find different symbols and statuary. I came across a great example of a Laurel Wreath. We’re using the the book written by Tui Snider ‘Understanding Cemetery Symbols’ [tinyurl.com/e3...] to get a handle on its meaning.
A I was walking around I came across a truncated obelisk and on it was a great example of a laurel wreath. I have another video on obelisks, so I’ll just be talking about the laurel wreath here. Now the laurel symbolizes everlasting life, victory, and chastity. The idea of eternal life comes from the fact that they decay slowly after being cut. The idea of victory is connected to the Greeks and Romans who used Laurel Crowns to honor athletes, poets, and warriors. Its use as a symbol of chastity comes from its use by Vestal Virgins. [1]
The first ritual of the Roman religious calendar was that the Vestals participated in was the New Year’s celebration. At this time, the most significant religious temples were cleaned and decorated with laurel leaves. Not only was this a celebration initiating a new year, but equally a celebration of Rome’s history and identity. The laurel, which adorned the temples, was sacred to Mars, who was believed to have abducted Vestal Rhea Silvia and culminated in the founding of Rome by her offspring. [2]
As for the families on the gravestone they all seem to be interrelated through marriage or through a connection to Emma Willard Troy Female Seminary. Jane McLaughlin was married to Morris Winslow who was connected to the Methodist Church. Ana Maria was married to James M. Deuel, both attending Emma Willard Troy Female Seminary. [3] John F. McLaughlin was a Trustee of the State Street Methodist Episcopal Church in Troy. [4] The McLaughlin family is still active in Troy and Rensselaer County. A Times-Union headline from 2023, Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin acquitted: Jury quickly decided case in favor of county's top official after closing arguments on Wednesday. [5]
It always amazes me the interconnections of families and what they have on their gravestone. In this case the Laurel Wreath seems to fit the families involved. I hope you liked the look into history and the meaning of the emblem. Thanks for watching and please leave a comment.
[1] Tui Snider. Understanding Cemetery Symbols: A Field Guide to Historic Graveyards, Texas: Azle Press, 2017, 137.
[2] Joshua Michael Roberts. Rome’s Vestal Virgins: Public Spectacle and Society, [Moheb A. Ghali, Dean of the Graduate School] Western Washington University: Master’s Thesis, 2012, 83-84.
[3] Emma Willard and Her Pupils or Fifty Years of Troy Female Seminary 1822-1872, Published: Mrs. Russell Sage: New York, 1898, 357, 547.
[4] Joseph Hillman. The History of Methodism in Troy, NY, Published: Joseph Hillman, Troy, NY, 1888, 182.
[5] Robert Gavin. Not guilty: Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin acquitted, Times Union: Albany, NY, January 25, 2023, www.timesunion..., 2024.
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Please check out my other videos. . . I have different playlists that include:
Interesting Places of Cultural & History
Cities-History/Culture
Trains/Railroads & Canals
Historic Cemeteries
Troy, NY History/Culture
The Baker Sheep Farm Archaeological Site
and of course, “shorts.”

[@The_Cultural_Historian_DrRGST]

It always amazes me the interconnections of families and what they have on their gravestone. In this case the Laurel Wreath seems to fit the families involved. I hope you liked the look into history and the meaning of the emblem. Thanks for watching and please leave a comment. 😎

[@burtont3773]

Interesting how the different families, different names, must have been connected. All appearing on the same stone.

[@The_Cultural_Historian_DrRGST]

It seems the families were intermarried or had connections through a connection to Emma Willard Troy Female Seminary. 😎