Taphophile Tragics # 17

Last week I showed you a pair of Kohanin Hands from Rookwood. This week I am still in Rookwood but over on the Lidcombe side were the very first interments were made in 1867. I am a beginner at this funerary symbolism lark, but I am going from lists of symbols freely available via Google.

The wreath is a symbol of eternal life, with no beginning and with no end. The crown indicates victory, that is, triumph over death. But why angels? Do angels escort us on our journey to the Promised Land? And why two of them? And why are their eyes closed? And are their fingers pointing upward to the one true God in Heaven?

Any ideas?

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Welcome to the 17th week of Taphophile Tragics.

Your contribution is most welcome. Please ensure that you include some details of the cemetery in which you took your photographs, and link directly to your post, rather than simply to your blog in general. Mr Linky opens at 10pm Monday, Sydney time (GMT+10). When you can, please visit the other contributing bloggers to show your appreciation of their endeavours. Due to time zone variations and overcrowded schedules, some contributions are made later than Tuesday/Wednesday.

We are working with the Linky with thumbnails, and displaying the oldest entry first, with no randomising.

Taphophile Tragics # 16

This funerary symbol can be found in the old Jewish area of Rookwood Cemetery in Sydney, just off Necropolis Drive, close to the intersection with William Lane. This is a Jewish symbol known as Kohanin, representing the members of the priestly tribe of Aaron. There are a range of spellings, eg Cohn, and Cohen. Hands in this formation are a priestly blessing. This symbol was adapted for use in 'Star Trek' where it became the Vulcan salute, meaning 'live long and prosper'. However, in this use, it was single handed.

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Welcome to the 16th week of Taphophile Tragics.

Your contribution is most welcome. Please ensure that you include some details of the cemetery in which you took your photographs, and link directly to your post, rather than simply to your blog in general. Mr Linky opens at 10pm Monday, Sydney time (GMT+10). When you can, please visit the other contributing bloggers to show your appreciation of their endeavours. Due to time zone variations and overcrowded schedules, some contributions are made later than Tuesday/Wednesday.

So we are continuing with the Linky with thumbnails, and displaying the oldest entry first, with no randomising.

Taphophile Tragics # 15

Pukumani poles mark the burial sites of the Tiwi people of the Bathurst and Melville Islands. They are erected at the beginning of a long funeral ceremony known as the Pukumani ceremony. These poles are on display at the Australian Museum in College Street, Sydney, and have been acquired over the years from the islands, which are part of the Northern Territory. Ranging in height from 100 cm to 250 cm, the poles are sculpted and painted with a mixture of natural ochres and brightly coloured synthetic pigments.They are also called funerary poles, grave posts or 'tutini' in the local Torres Strait Island language.

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Welcome to the 15th week of Taphophile Tragics.

Your contribution is most welcome. Please ensure that you include some details of the cemetery in which you took your photographs, and link directly to your post, rather than simply to your blog in general. Mr Linky opens at 10pm Monday, Sydney time (GMT+10). When you can, please visit the other contributing bloggers to show your appreciation of their endeavours. Due to time zone variations and overcrowded schedules, some contributions are made later than Tuesday/Wednesday.

I had a good experience with a different Linky over the weekend, so have changed Taphophile Tragics over to this new method. However, I have not implemented the 'random' facility, because, although fair, I found it tedious when trying to work out who to visit next. However, I am open to listening to your opinion on the topic of the Linky and its implementation.

Taphophile Tragics # 14

Pause for a moment, and reread that inscription. HONOURABLE & DIGNIFIED & PRINCIPLED

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Welcome to the 14th week of Taphophile Tragics.

Your contribution is most welcome. Please ensure that you include some details of the cemetery in which you took your photographs, and link directly to your post, rather than simply to your blog in general. Mr Linky opens at 10pm Monday, Sydney time (GMT+11). When you can, please visit the other contributing bloggers to show your appreciation of their endeavours. Due to time zone variations and overcrowded schedules, some contributions are made later than Tuesday/Wednesday.

Please note, this is the final week of daylight-saving in Sydney. Next week, although Mr Linky will still open at 10pm Monday Sydney time, this will translate to GMT+10.

Taphophile Tragics # 13

The Australian War Memorial (AWM) is the most visited public building in Australia. It is located in our national capital, Canberra. Within the AWM, is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, lying in the Hall of Memory. The first image is of the decorative interior dome of the Hall of Memory. The second image shows the Commemmorative Courtyard with the Pool of Reflection, and the Eternal Flame. The final image shows the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier itself.


The AWM says

"Plans for a tomb for an Australian unknown soldier were first put forward in the 1920s but it was not until 1993 that someone was at last brought home. With great reverence, the remains of an unknown Australian were removed from a cemetery in France in 1993 and transported to Australia. After lying in state in King’s Hall in Old Parliament House, he was interred in the Hall of Memory at the Memorial on 11 November 1993. The Unknown Australian Soldier was buried in a Tasmanian blackwood coffin, with a slouch hat and a sprig of wattle, and soil from the Pozières battlefield was scattered on his tomb. He represents all Australians who have been killed in war."

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Welcome to the 13th week of Taphophile Tragics.

Your contribution is most welcome. Please ensure that you include some details of the cemetery in which you took your photographs, and link directly to your post, rather than simply to your blog in general. Mr Linky opens at 10pm Monday, Sydney time (GMT+11). When you can, please visit the other contributing bloggers to show your appreciation of their endeavours. Due to time zone variations and overcrowded schedules, some contributions are made later than Tuesday/Wednesday.

Taphophile Tragics # 12

Today, I take you way down to the southermost state of Australia, the island state of Tasmania. Tasmania housed one of the most brutal penal colonies on this earth, at Port Arthur, which is in the south-east of the state. On a small promontory just down from the Commandant's Cottage, is this singular grave. It is a memorial to the first Commandant of the penal colony, Charles O'Hara Booth (1800 - 1851) who was commandant from 1833 - 1840. He died of a heart attack at Newtown near Hobart. My understanding is that his body is not resting here, but I am not able to confirm that. Then, come with me to Sydney Eye, and take the short, blustery ferry trip out to the 'Isle of the Dead', where convict and freeman spend Eternity cheek by jowl.

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Welcome to the 12th week of Taphophile Tragics.

Your contribution is most welcome. Please ensure that you include some details of the cemetery in which you took your photographs, and link directly to your post, rather than simply to your blog in general. Mr Linky opens at 10pm Monday, Sydney time (GMT+11). When you can, please visit the other contributing bloggers to show your appreciation of their endeavours. Due to time zone variations and overcrowded schedules, some contributions are made later than Tuesday/Wednesday.

Taphophile Tragics # 11

Funerary masons would have to be the most self-effacing tradies around.

This is the quality of lead I am working with: Hanson & Co. But I have others: Spurson, A E Anderson, H Johnson. All these are from my field trip through Waverley Cemetery last month. There were other names - like Charles Kinsela, and Walter Carter - but I know these to be undertakers not creators of funerary art.

There are so many gorgeous statues in Waverley Cemetery. There must be a clue to unlocking their secrets.

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Welcome to the 11th week of Taphophile Tragics.

Your contribution is most welcome. Please ensure that you include some details of the cemetery in which you took your photographs. Please link directly to your post, rather than simply to your blog in general. Mr Linky opens at 10pm Monday, Sydney time (GMT+11). When you can, please visit the other contributing bloggers to show your appreciation of their endeavours. Due to time zone variations and overcrowded schedules, some contributions are made later than Tuesday/Wednesday.