What Do These Symbols On Old Headstones Mean?

I was going through some old photos at my mom's house and I noticed something strange. There was an hourglass with wings on top of an old headstone that was in one of the photos. 

So after a little digging, I found a website weburbanist with some pretty cool information on these symbols. I found out that the symbol on top of that headstone meant that the person had passed away too soon. There are a few others that you might find fascinating if you happen to be going through an old graveyard any time soon.

Lamb

The lamb signifies purity and innocence. It usually is marking a child's grave. Though this is viewed as a Christian symbol, it is said to have been used by the Egyptians.

Open Book

The open book may be the bible of another religious text. Some of these may even have blank pages or dog-eared pages That can mean a life that was unfinished or gone too soon.

Tree Stump

This is a symbol of a fraternal organization that the deceased was a member. It can be one of two groups, Woodman of the World or Modern Woodman of America. These organizations were for financial services like insurance.

Draped Urn

The classic urn that is used for cremated remains also symbolizes the veil between the living and the dead.

Open Gates

The open gates is a symbol for the passage from this life to the afterlife or for the second coming of Jesus.

Three Chain LInks

Sometimes shown with an ax or the letters FLT, friendship, love, and truth. The links symbolize charity and philanthropy and are associated with the Masons.

Clasping Hands

This is the symbol of lost spouses. It is the relationship with the wife or husband and means the unity even after death.

The Square And Compass

This is the most recognized symbol of the Free Masons the square and compass are the architect's tools which the masons use to teach symbolic lessons. The G stands for God or Geometry the noblest of sciences.