Iris on a Headstone: Meaning

The iris takes its name from the Greek goddess of the rainbow, who carried messages between heaven and earth. On a headstone, it's a graceful symbol of hope and faith.

What it means

History

In Greek myth, Iris was a messenger of the gods, travelling on the rainbow — see rainbow meaning. In Christian art the iris sometimes appears with Mary. Many historians believe the fleur-de-lis is a stylised iris.

Design ideas

• Purple colour fill on etched irises.
• A tall iris rising beside the name.
• Irises with a rainbow for a hopeful theme.
• A garden scene for gardeners.

Epitaphs

• Hope blooms eternal.
• A message of love.
• Forever in bloom.
• Faith, hope and love.

Irises for gardeners

Many gardeners grew bearded irises, which bloom in late spring and come in an extraordinary range of colours. An iris etched on the stone, with real irises planted nearby where allowed, creates a living link. Some families plant rhizomes from the person's own garden at home so the same flowers bloom each year. The iris is also the birth flower associated with February in some traditions, making it a thoughtful choice for a February birthday. See ideas for a gardener.

Key Takeaways

• The iris symbolises hope and faith.
• It's named after the Greek messenger goddess.
• Purple and blue are popular colours.
• The fleur-de-lis may be a stylised iris.

Next Step

See flower meanings on headstones.