Grave Matters: Cherubs

Along with lambs, and doves, cherubs are also used as visual markers on a child's headstone. Cherubs, or Cherubim, are the second part of the first sphere in the order of angels, the first being the Seraphim. In early symbolism, they were known as the bearers of the Throne of God, and they were said to have four wings and four faces. Their name comes to us from the Ancient Assyrian word "Karibu", or "One who intercedes", and they were sent by God to guard the way to the tree of life and were ruled by the archangels Gabriel, Raphael, and Satan, the prince of darkness and evil who was an archangel before his downfall and casting into Hell to watch over the spirits of the damnned.

Pictured here is a stunning representation of a Cherubim that I stumbled upon in a cemetery in San Luis Obispo. Exquistely carved, his downward gaze shows him to be deep in thoughtfulness as he leans upon an inverted torch which symbolizes that while the flame of life is no longer visible here, it still burns in the other world.