Dragon Tombstones

I’ve been taking part in a #31DaysofGraves photo challenge.

While I didn’t see any dragon tombstones in my area, here’s a pic of a very unique, handmade addition to a stone.

I did see an ouroboros tombstone online, which I’ve included further down this post.

#31DaysofGraves

Before we get into a small selection of dragon tombstones, I just want to say that this photo challenge was indeed challenging but very engaging at the same time.

Participants would follow along with each prompt for the day and share photos that matched the prompt. The one I joined was organized by Anna Fairley Nielsson (@annaandthedead on Bluesky).

I got into some adventures along the way, and I had to backtrack at times (like when I wandered a little too far back in one cemetery that was wild woods behind—black bears and other wildlife roam around in my Northeast Maine area…) 🐻

While the challenge started off as something aesthetic, it quickly became something more terrain-oriented with history and regional culture having a heavy influence on the experience.

I’ll post a couple of updates about it on my YouTube next month (@JessWriting).

I was thus curious about what dragon tombstones might look like.

Wales

Here’s an astounding one from the UK!

Autumn Memorials: “A fitting tribute to a proud Welshman, a beautiful all polished black granite memorial with glorious hand painted dragon design drawn for us by a family member.”

Boston / New England

This one’s from my New England area in the U.S.

New England Folklore: Susanna Jayne’s gravestone. The headstone was carved by Henry Christian Geyer (1727 – 1785), a Boston artisan who made many other Massachusetts gravestones.

According to New England Folklore:

“The Grim Reaper is encircled by snake biting its own tail. This image, known as the ouroboros, is a symbol that dates back to the ancient Egyptians and was found on the wall of King Tut’s tomb. It’s had many meanings over the centuries, but most commonly represents eternity and the cycles of time.”

Dragon Cremation Shrine

CemeteryBC.com: Dragon Cremation Shrine at Valley View Cemetery, Surrey (BC, Canada)

This white sculpture lives in the prestigious Dragon section of this cemetery.

Carnaro Regency ouroboros emblem

Alberto Vassallo on Pinterest: “From the house of the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio, in Gardone Riviera (northern Italy)”

Gabriele D’Annunzio was an Italian poet, journalist, novelist and dramatist. At the height of his success, D’Annunzio was celebrated for the originality, power and decadence of his writing.

You can read about the choice of this design on the flag of Carnaro here, and view more ouroboros in heraldry designs here.

#31DaysofGraves