More than just a pretty shape

You may have noticed that we do not carry ginger jar, tube, or envelope urns.

The reason we don’t carry urns that look like traditional urns is that while the shape of ginger jar is beautiful it is not particularly meaningful. More to the point Traditional urns really only say one thing. “I am a receptacle for ashes.” Everista memorials believes that is only one function of an urn. Urn are also the keepers of memories, symbols of hope and comfort, and a means of expressing unspoken thoughts and feelings.

When we include the urn in the memorial and place it in a meaningful spot they also become a catalyst for healing and closure that allows us to carry the love of our lost loved ones with us.

The reason why we have chosen the shapes we have is because shapes have meaning and can add to meaning of other elements on the urn. In our view the shapes are beauty with a purpose. Many of our shapes allow for personalization. Personalization adds meaning to the basic shape. This allows the urn to speak to us in a way that words can’t.

These are the meanings we have discovered for the five main urn shapes we offer.

The Mandorla Shape.

This ancient shape has been used in religious worship for thousands of years. A mandorla is an almond-shaped oval made when two circle overlap. Mandorla is Italian for “almond”. This space represents the unifying of opposites where one circle represents heaven and the other earth.

For Christians, The Mandorla represents the space where humankind is united with God. As such it represents Heaven, Divine Glory, or Light. Throughout history, the Mandorla is used to depict sacred moments that transcend time and space. It is common to see images of sacred beings like Christ or the Virgin Mary depicted in this shape. This shape is the basis for the fish that early Christians identified with.

the Mandorla is used to represent the eye of the soul or the aura. It also represents the unification of opposites, like male and female, life and death. The shape is also a reference to the sacred feminine. If you would like to learn more about the mandorla in various cultures you can click here.

The Keystone Shape.

The Keystone is the most important stone of an arch. Without it, the arch would not work. Arches are used to create openings that allow access and let light in. It represents stability and reliability. In Christianity, this shape is significant because it represents Christ the keystone of faith and the one who brings light into our life.

The Shield shape.

The Shield represents protection from danger and risk, as well as protection and faith. The shield is a symbolic representation of a person who was a defender of the faith or Protector. It is the perfect symbol for someone who was a police officer or in the military. Here is a great article that goes into more detail about the meaning of the shield shape.

The Coffin shape.

The classic coffin shape is one many associate with the passing of a loved one and a traditional memorial service. Coffins play an important role in many funerary rituals. The coffin represents a place of final rest. In a traditional service, The coffin represents the deceased and is used as a way to remember and honor them. A personalizable coffin-shaped urn allows you to add more meaning to this classic icon.

The Trinity Knot

The Trinity knot is a Celtic symbol that has roots extending into the neolithic triple spirals and the Triskele of Greek origin. This symbol has been found in sights in India that are 5000 years old. Formed from an unbroken and never-ending line it is said to represent unity, protection, and everlasting life. As a knot, it is a Celtic symbol of strength.

The number three is a significant number for people from many different religious beliefs. It represents the three stages of life – life, death, and rebirth. In neo-pagan tradition, it represents the triple goddess; the past, present, and future; and the body, mind, and soul. In Christianity, the three points represent the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, while the almond-shaped intersection in the center represents the space where the eternal world and the mortal world meet. The Trinity knot also refers to Family, the binding together of the father mother, and child. You can read more about the Trinity knot here.