Meanings, Interpretations, Lore, and Legends of sympathy

[RWK]

For a project I am working on......I need some help from some of the old-timers on the forum. I need the legends, meanings, and symbolism behind some of the past sympathy tribute designs. - The Vacant Chair, The Time of Death, Broken Wheel, Cross-Anchor, Gates Ajar,
Also need meanings of various materials used in designs......Dove, Wheat, Ivy, Rose,
The project is a possible presentation for AIFD National Symposium. I am wanting to take the designs of yesteryear, explore the meanings behind them, and then show how we can take the best of those past designs and bring it forward into today's marketsplace and to inspire a new generation of flower senders to express themselves with their own meanings and traditions.

I am sure there are regional specialties and designs as well....so, if you want to talk about those, please do as well. The more info I have, the better.

 

[herndonflorist]

Ricky,
I know the broken wheel symbolizes that part of the family circle is broken. The wheat symbolizes a life well harvested. The one you forgot is the telephone with the receiver in the casket saying Jesus has called. And yes I have made all 3!

 

[anytimeflowers]

Around here, we used to add a butterfly to the pieces to symbolize re-birth.

 

[KABERS]

Hi Ricky, I was thinking I had an old book on tributes but it is actually an old book on flowers for the church. copyright 1952 " Flower Arrangement for the Churches" by Adelaide B. Wilson. Id be happy to send it to you if it would help with your research. Here is a great line from pg.#1 some of us have failed to offer anything like our best. Many a sanctuary lacks strenght and beauty because of shabby and uninspired flower arrangements. Don't you love it!!! pm your address if you'ld like it. Also in the back of the old AFS Tributes guide there is an explanation of Symbolism. Did you know Palm foliage is a symbol of victory over death? I thought it just made a good backing.

 

[retro]

I have one customer who loves those "Jesus called" sprays with the receiver dangling from the cord...I don't! harder and harder to find a phone to put in there...I'm waiting for the cell phone stand. We add a dove with ribbon streamers in the mouth upon request, always flying upward, to heaven. For the broken wheel, (which I don't do) some people want one spoke removed from the wheel for each person that has died in the family. Some families want x number of roses to represent the number of children or grandchildren.

 

[dlnfloral]

You're going to make us all think about this.I have a book some where with different meanings.I'll have to see if I can find it