|
|
| Member of BannerPower Rotation System |
|
|
| Member of BannerPower Rotation System |
| Click here for a guide to Latin numbers and dates |
ad patres - "To the fathers", dead or gone away. anno aetatis suae (A.A.S.) - In the year of her/his age anno Domini (A.D.) - In the year of our Lord annos vixit (a.v.) - He/she lived [so many years] beatae memoriae (B.M.) - Of blessed memory Dei gratia - By the grace of God Dei gratias - Thanks be to God Deo, Optimo, Maximo (D.O.M.) - To God, the Best, the Greatest (motto of the Benedictine order) Domino, Optimo, Maximo (D.O.M.) - The Lord, the Best, the Greatest.(alternate motto) Gloria in Excelsis Deo - Glory be to God, the Most High hic iacet or hic jacet (H.I.) - Here lies (Ancient Latin has no letter "J": the letter was added later) hic iacet sepultus (H.I.S.) - Here lies buried hic sepultus (H.S.) - Here is buried Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum (I.N.R.I.) - Jesus Christ, King of the Jews (usually appears posted at the top of a cross, in commemoration of the Roman mocking of Christ) in hoc salus (I.H.S.) - There is safety in this. This is one of three interpretations of the letters IHS which often appear on Roman Catholic tombstones and monuments. Some say that this was used to mark the way to secret Christian masses in the Roman catacombs. The letters are sometimes superimposed on each other, forming an inscription that looks like this: |$| in hoc signo spes mea (I.H.S.) - In this sign (the cross of Christ) is my hope in hoc signos vinces (I.H.S.) - By this sign you will conquer. The Emperor Constantine is said to have seen a firey cross in the sky before the Battle of Milvan Bridge. (312 A.D.) He made his men paint crosses on their shields. They won. Constantine ceased persecution of Christians and became one on his deathbed. laus Deo - Praise be to God memento mori - "Remember you must die". The phrase is also used for the small souvenirs that are sometimes handed out at funerals. obiit (ob.) - He/she died requiescat in pace (R.I.P.) - May he/she rest in peace requiescant in pace (R.I.P.) - May they rest in peace requiescit in pace (R.I.P.) - He/she rest in peace Verbi Dei Minister (V.D.M.) - Minister of the Word of God |
| Learn Latin (Amazon.com) |
| For further reading: Latin for the Illiterati: Exorcizing the Ghosts of a Dead Language by Jon R. Stone More Latin for the Illiterati: A Guide to Everyday Medical, Legal and Religious Latin by Jon R. Stone (Thank you for your Amazon.com purchases through this site!) |
| Click here for a guide to Latin numbers and dates |
| Questions or Comments? Return to Cemetery Symbolism |