at the cemetery: symbolism trail. northern cemetery trail 2: … 2... · 2014-06-08 · at the...

At the cemetery: Symbolism trail. Northern Cemetery

Trail 2: Notes and maps for teachers.

Notes for Teachers about Trail 2 This trail can be used in a number of ways,

1. Used as a field trip activity for the memorialisation unit - developing an understanding of 19th and early 20th peoples beliefs and understandings. Use with trails 1 and 3

2. Or alternatively • as an introductory activity when your class first arrives at the cemetery, • or used in conjunction with other student activities such as the mortality study areas.

3. This trail is close to and can be worked in conjunction with the mortality study areas 1, 2 and 3.

It is recommended that students see the cemetery symbolism slideshow. This slideshow explains much of the deeper meaning behind what they are looking at. The trail is intended to be used by students independently and with limited need to use a cemetery map to find the individual headstones. Alternatively, if teachers prefer, they can lead students around the trail using the following notes.

The trail provides a good introduction to cemetery symbolism and should be used to extend studentsʼ understanding of peoples need in Victorian and Edwardian times to create lasting memories through memorials. Strong themes evident in the trail are those of describing

occupational status, expressing links to the homelands of the deceased, and deep beliefs in Christianity. There are also two headstones where students will encounter accidental deaths on this trail.

At the cemetery: Symbolism trail - Northern Cemetery

Trail 2: Notes and maps for teachers. Understanding ʻolder theatres of memoryʼ

What is of interest?

1. Memorial 1: This black granite memorial indicates the origin of the individual buried here in the inscription. The floral decoration is sparse but is lily of the valley and has a strong religious meaning.

2. The second activity simply asks students to look around and count the obelisks, one of the most popular shapes in the cemetery.

3. Memorial 3 is Robert Lawsonʼs grave and also provides an example of an obelisk. This is a new headstone, erected by the Historic Cemeteries Conservation Trust to commemorate the architect responsible for many of Dunedinʼs finest historic buildings. The second headstone on this plot is also noteworthy. It is s very unusual representation of a glory cross and has a deeply religious meaning. There was a belief that the resurrection would happen at dawn with the rising of the morning star. The star is a symbol of the presence of loved ones, visible but out of reach and commemorates Robert Lawsonʼs young daughter – wee Jessie.

4. Memorials 4 and 20 use the thistle as a single centre of interest on the stones. Both stones are very different but in their own way show the strong links of the deceased to their Scottish origins.

5. Memorial 5 is a lovely Gothic pillared stele featuring an inverted posy containing many different flowers. The ʻlanguage of flowersʼ was important to Victorian and Edwardians. Inverted bouquets are a symbol of death and departure from the world.



What is of interest? (continued)

6. Memorial 6 is an obelisk covered with a pall. 7. Memorial 7 is a grey granite Celtic cross. Of interest are the letters IOOF, which stand

for the International Order of Odd Fellows. This symbols indicates membership of and commitment to the work of a friendly society. The friendly societies were important in Victorian and Edwardian times before the state took over the role of providing social security. Membership helped protect families against the possibility of penury when the breadwinner might meet an early death and was unable to provide for his family.

8. Memorials 8 and 9 are side by side and both provide us with interesting and deeply religious symbolism. The first shows a lamb carrying the banner of the resurrection. The second a winged and haloed angel standing against hewn rock holding a quill and an open book. There is also a glory cross visible in the rear with the letters IHS. Each of these symbols has a deep religious significance including the small roses on the column.

9. Memorial 10 is an example of a column. It is also the first accidental death that students will encounter on this trail. They can find out what happened to the deceased by searching the papers past website.

10. Memorial 11 is that of an early social reformer in Dunedin. There is some significant symbolism evident on this memorial as well. The tree of life with the branches cut means a life cut short. The rustic rocks and ivy as well as the unfurling scroll all have meaning.




11. Memorial 13 is another Celtic cross. The decoration on the front of the cross is the passionflower. This is a much favoured and common flower and is also religiously significant. The decoration on the sides of the cross alternately feature grapes and wheat which stands for the Eucharist - the grapes represent the blood of Christ and the wheat the bread or host and body of Christ.

12. Memorial 14 is a very unusual memorial. An elongated column sits on top of a pedestal. The whole is capped by an interesting tableau of a woman and children. This statue probably represents the Christian virtue of Charity. The four line epitaph contains and interesting message. Teachers may need to discuss the possible meanings with students.

13. Memorial 15 is a sarcophagus and is also a very unusual tomb.

14. The Ord Memorial is also interesting. It is capped by a draped-urn and a lighthouse stands at each side of the memorial. The draped urn is to keep the soul safe on its journey towards the resurrection and the lighthouses to shine a light along the way.

15.The lamb is deeply significant in that it is often a symbol representing Christ or is depicted with Christ. The scroll, ivy and rough-hewn rocks are also significant.

16. Memorial 18 is an obelisk. This headstone is interesting for the written information it contains about the family and is the second stone that includes accidental deaths on the trail. The planting of the yew trees on either side of the headstone are also important symbols.




17. Memorial 19 features an unusual Obelisk. Normally obelisks have 4 sides. This one has 8 sides. The etched feature at the base of the obelisk s hard to see but is a dove. The Dove is about to take flight and represents the soul leaving for heaven. It is probable that the etched areas would have once been silvered and would have been much easier to see. 18. Memorial 20 is another version of the Celtic Cross, this one with a thistle in the centre of the cross. The whole indicating strong connections with Scottish origins. 19. Memorial 21 is an example of a broken column and indicates a life cut short.

Northern Cemetery Dunedin:

Start trail 2 beyond the end of the sextonʼs cottage

The trail is spread over an extensive area of the cemetery as shown in the bounding triangle marked 2.

Legend

1

2

Car park

Location of trail 2 study area

Sealed Roads

Grass paths

Blocks

Demoninational divisions

12D

1 2

Map for teachers showing general location of Trail 2.

Map of Dunedinʼs Northern Cemetery sourced from: http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/25464/cemplot_northernphoto.pdf

Instructions

Start the trail just past the sextonʼs cottage

The trail can be completed within the areas formed by Blocks 9, 58, 59, 138, 140A, and 110.

Visit the memorials in numerical order. These match your worksheet. Keep to the paths!

Legend

Map for students showing headstone location details for Trail 2.

1

Sealed Roads

Grass paths

Blocks

Visit order and location of headstones

Direction of progress around the trail.

12D

12 3

4

5

Start

67 7

89

10

1112

1314

1516

17

18

192021End

Northern Cemetery Dunedin:

Map of Dunedinʼs Northern Cemetery sourced from: http://www.dunedin.govt.nz/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/25464/cemplot_northernphoto.pdf

Cemetery Visit: Symbolism Trail Northern Cemetery

Trail 2: Student recording sheet.

This memorial should be right in front of you.

This headstone is called a stele. It is made of dark grey stone called granite. List the decorative symbols you can see etched on this headstone.

1. _____________ and 2. __________________

What is the name of the person who is buried here?

_____________________________________

Where did he come from? _______________________

How did he get here? __________________________

The inscription is written in a different language. What do you think the language might be? ______________

Start this trail at the back of the sexton s cottage in the Northern Cemetery. Walk across the sealed road towards the wide grass path. Turn into the narrow grass path on your left.

Stand on this spot in front of the Cameron

Memorial (No 1.) and have a look around you.

Count the number of obelisk shaped memorials can you see? _______________

These are also made of granite. Look carefully at the Cameron memorial stone and notice the shiny flakes.

What colours of granite obelisks can you see from where you stand?

1. ___________________

2. ____________________

3. ____________________

Try drawing an obelisk shape in the box (left) .

Block 9 Plot 1

Walk up the path between the tall grey obelisk and the Cameron stele. Turn right into the grass path and walk

along the path until you come to a newly made memorial.

Who erected this memorial?

____________________________________________

Why is this person important?

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Also on this gravesite is another memorial. Who is this memorial commemorating?

___________________________________________

List some of the decorative features you see on this unusual memorial.

1. ________________ and 2.___________________

3. _________________ and 4. ___________________

5. _________________ and 6. ___________________

The symbols on wee Jessie s headstone have a religious meaning. Check your guide booklet for the information on star and also the information about woman clinging to a cross to find out about the reason for the cross being set on stones. Also check out the information on the Latin cross Can you make out the three steps leading to the base of the cross meaning faith hope and love.

Stop and look at an Oamaru stone memorial behind you.

What is the decoration? _______________________

Where does the deceased come from? ___________

____________________________________________

This decoration is a good example of a flower being used as an emblem and indicates to people visiting the cemetery where the deceased kinship connections lay. Separation from kinfolk and homesickness must have been very difficult for some early immigrants.

Pride in origins is an important feature on many headstones.

At the Northern Cemetery: Symbolism Trail

Trail 2: Recording and worksheet. Page 2

Walk to the end of this block along the grass path. Turn right and then left towards the huge tree. Turn and look back

towards the sexton s cottage.

The shape of this stele is called gothic because it has a curved arch at the top. There is a lot of meaning in the decorations of this headstone.

List the flowers and plants you see on this stele. Take a photo if you are having trouble and identify those you don t know later.

1. ____________________________________

2. ____________________________________

Who erected this memorial and for whom? __________ ____________________________________________ How many people are buried here? _______________

6. To the left of the Walker Memorial you will see another obelisk.

What is slightly different about the decoration on this obelisk compared to other obelisks?

___________________________________________



Turn around to find this headstone. The headstone has fallen but we can see the front of both the base and the cross.

What is the shape of this memorial? _____________

__________________________________________

Who erected this memorial and why ?_____________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Look carefully and the monogram on the base of the cross. Copy down the symbol that you see there. ______________________

This is the logo for the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (Also known as IOOF) who were, and still are, a world wide benevolent order that help people in need.

There are a number of people buried in the Northern Cemetery who worked with the poor and to improve living conditions and provide help in times of need. To find out more about the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in New Zealand today visit What is the independent order of Odd Fellows? Website at http://www.ioof.co.nz/

Walk up the wide grass path until you come to a narrower grass path on your left that disappears into the trees. Turn into the

path and stop and look at two interesting headstones facing the trees.

The stele on the first headstone has fallen.

What are the decorations you see on this headstone?

1. _____________________________ 2. ______________________________

3. _____________________________ 4. _____________________________

The lamb carrying a flag (or standard once carried into battle) is a most unusual decoration. It has a strong connection to the resurrection. The Lamb of God (Jesus - the standard bearer who died for the sins of humanity) offers the promise of victory over death.



This headstone and the surrounding fence have also been badly damaged.

Who is commemorated? ________________________

____________________________________________

List the symbols you see on this unusual religious memorial,

1. _________________________________________

2. _________________________________________

3. _________________________________________

4. __________________________________________

The sunburst behind the cross you see drifting in clouds is reminiscent of both the monstrance and reliquaries that are important religious icons in the Catholic church, and may mean that Christ (represented by the cross) will lead the way to the resurrection which was believed to happen at dawn.

Return to the wide grass path and continue walking up the hill. This next memorial is on your left in the

trees.

What is the memorial made of? _________________

Carefully read the inscription. What happened to the person who is buried here? ____________________ ___________________________________________

What did he do for a living? _____________________

The shape of this memorial is a standard column. There has been some statuary piece attached to the top. What is it most likely

to have been? _____________________________________

When you return to school check out what happened to Alexander Gunn. The best article is called CORONER'S INQUEST. Otago Witness, Issue 1370, 2 March 1878, Page 4 and can be downloaded from Papers Past at http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/



Keep walking up the grass path. It meets the sealed road. Continue up the road. This unusual memorial is on your

right.

List the symbols you can see on this headstone?

1. _______________ and 2. __________________

3. _______________ and 4. __________________

Who has erected this headstone and why? _________

____________________________________________

We have already visited the memorial of one individual involved in helping with living and working conditions for the poor. Find out more about James Bradshaw. There is a biography available at http://www.southernheritage.org.nz/northerncemetery/home.html

This tombstone is next to the Bradshaw tree memorial.

Write down the surname of the person or family who is buried here.

_____________________________________________________

What kind of stone is this tombstone made of? ________________

_____________________________________________________

The shape of the decoration on the tombstone is a ____________

_______ The form of tombstone is called a________________.

We do not know much from this tombstone about those who are buried here. To find out more we need to go to cemetery records. These are now available online at

http://www.southernheritage.org.nz/northerncemetery/home.html and at the City of Dunedin Cemeteries database at http://www.cityofdunedin.com/public/registers?Burl_form+F

A search of the surname Davidson tells us that only one person is buried here, James Davidson, an engineer who died in 1886 at age 48.

Block 138 Plot 3

Block 138 Plot 4



Continue up the road until you see this memorial also on your right.

This is another headstone with many hidden religious meanings.

What is the shape of the memorial? _____________________

There are three steps leading to the cross. Even these three steps have a meaning. They represent faith, hope and love

List the floral decorations you recognise and the letters of the monogram you see on this memorial?

1. ____________________ 2. ____________________ 3. ___________________ 4. __________________ 5. ___________________ 6. ________________ Even the stone this headstone is made from has a hidden meaning. The headstone is made of a white stone called marble and symbolised purity.

Turn around and look at this extraordinary memorial.

This memorials is made up of several different shapes. The base shape is called a _______________________ The mid section is called a _______________________ Who is commemorated on this memorial? ___________ _____________________________________________ The epitaph on this memorial is interesting. Copy down the four line verse that is inscribed on this memorial on the back of this worksheet. Epitaphs were often designed to be educative. Can you guess what this epitaph is telling the reader?



Turn around and look closely at this unusual memorial.

Who is buried here? 1. ______________________________________ 2. ______________________________________ How old were the occupants when they died ?

1. _________________years and 2. _____________years What kind of tomb is this? ____________________________

Describe how do you think the deceased are interred here. ___________________________________________________

This memorial is next to the Stewart memorial and is also a very usual memorial. The symbols have a strongly religious

meaning.

The two shapes on each side of the memorial represent lighthouses. Use the guidebook to work out why someone might include lighthouses on their memorial. What are some of the other features and symbols that you can identify?

1, _____________________4. ______________________

2. _____________________5. ______________________

3. _____________________6. ______________________

About when do you think this memorial might have been erected? _____________________________________________

The epitaph reads...

“Because I live ye shall live also.” Can you guess where this saying or quote may come from?______________ See if you can find out what this saying may mean.




Now go back to the road and cross over. There is a grass path that leads down the very steep bank. This memorial is on your

right.

The symbols on this memorial also have a strong religious meaning. There are 4 symbols on this memorial. Can you find and name them all?

1. ___________________________ 3. _______________________

2. ___________________________ 4. ________________________

Like the cross in number 13 on your trail the white marble also has a meaning on this memorial. The whiteness stands for purity. Lambs often featured on the gravestones of young children.

The epitaph is also interesting. Write down the three words. _______________________________________________

This epitaph is very common on gravestones. What do you think this epitaph might mean? _______________________________

It s a steep climb back up the hill. When you get back to the road turn right and walk up the road a few meters

keeping a look out for this memorial almost hidden by the yew trees planted on each side of it. Name the shape of this memorial? ______________________

Henry Samuel Chapman was an important man who had a sad time in his life. We can find out a lot about Henry Chapman from what is written on this tombstone. What did he do? _______________________________

Search the tombstone carefully and see if you can find out about the very sad event that happened in his life. Write down the details.

_______________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________ Two of his grandsons are also remembered on this headstone. What happened to them.

1. _____________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________ The Yew trees are an important part of this memorial. The yew is a dark evergreen that grows tall and straight. It is a symbol of mourning and death and was often planted on each side of the headstone.


In the plot next to this one there are several memorials belonging to one family. Notice

the shape of this memorial. This is not broken due to age or vandalism. What is the style of memorial called? ________________

How old was the deceased person? ______________________________

Continue along the road until you see this memorial. It is also on your left.

This is another memorial that provides a lot of information about the deceased and especially his

country of origin.

Name the shape of the memorial. ____________________

What is the symbol in the centre of the memorial? __________________________

Everything about the memorial tells us that his country of birth was _____________________________________

What information is provided about the life of the deceased? ____________________________________

_____________________________________________

Walk up the road and keep going beyond the fork in the road. Keep to the left and stop when you see this memorial.

This memorial is an obelisk like the Chapman memorial (No19) but there is something a little different about it. Normally obelisks have ____ sides. How many sides does this obelisk/spire have? ____________________

Also like the Chapman memorial and the memorial that follows, it is made of granite. Granite unlike sandstone, Oamaru stone, or marble, is very hard to carve. Look closely at the round shaped design or etching on this obelisk just above the inscription. What is the design meant to be? ________________________



at the cemetery: symbolism trail. northern cemetery trail 2: … 2... · 2014-06-08 · at the...

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