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Mystery Roundel carved into a gravestone - any ide

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Jan

Jan Report 8 Jul 2004 22:42

Another variation is 'Iesus Hominum Salvador' - there's no J in latin, and it means Jesus Saviour of men.

Dawn

Dawn Report 8 Jul 2004 20:03

Simon I think you've cracked it!! Kind Regards Sarah.

Simon

Simon Report 8 Jul 2004 19:27

Yup, Methinks it's definitely IHS - or 'in his service'. I suppose that means being a servant of God generally, as in being a loyal Christian. In addition, my rellie was Parish Clerk and Sexton for 38 years so I suppose it was seen as fitting, given his service to the parish. The parish record even has a little note scribbled in the margins next to his burial record saying 'Clerk of this church for 38 years, who carried out his duties with fidelity'. Thanks to everyone for their help and input. Simon

Dawn

Dawn Report 8 Jul 2004 18:57

Simon I put 'IHS on a gravestone?' into google search. Have a little peek, you might find it interesting. It looks like it may stand for 'In His Service'??? I'm not very sure what it means though!!! Good Luck Sarah.

Flossie

Flossie Report 8 Jul 2004 17:44

Was he a Doctor? Im sure that signs sounds like the symbol the Greeks used to symbolise medicine. It would be a snake around a stick.

Zoe

Zoe Report 8 Jul 2004 17:07

Simon, If you have trouble finding out you could try writing to this guy: John Young Stonehouse Heritage Group c/o Robert Freel 4/5 The Cross (Stonehouse Public Library) Stonehouse ML9 South Lanarkshire Scotland He led a tour I went on last year of the Auld Kirkyard in Stonehouse and he was amazing at interpreting the meaning of gravestones. Zoe

Simon

Simon Report 8 Jul 2004 16:54

Mmm, yep - thanks Robin. Think that's probably what it is. Many thanks. Simon

Montmorency

Montmorency Report 8 Jul 2004 16:51

could it be a monogram of IHS? that would be a symbol for Jesus, in Greek spelling

Simon

Simon Report 8 Jul 2004 16:38

Incorporated into the design carved into my gr-gr-grandfather's headstone is a roundel (well, it's actually more of an oval shape). The oval contains three uprights, a bit like capital 'I's, with an 'S' (could be a snake, maybe just a letter) entwined around them. Does anyone have any ideas what this might refer to ? Is it a common symbol that was carved onto gravestones, or could it be something more personal to my relative ? I have a scanned photo if anyone wanted me to e-mail it to them. Any ideas gratefully received. Cheers, Simon