MOTIF Index

From Code sheets for Burial ground memorial form © Harold Mytum Published by Council for British Archaeology


Mortality:
110 Separate bones
111 Crossbones
112 Skull and bones
121 Skull facing forward
122 Skull facing sideways
125 Winged skull
130 Skeleton
135 Bell
140 Hour glass
145 Winged hour glass
147 Sundial
148 Candles
150 Coffin
152 Spade
154 Pick
160 Scythe
162 Father Time
170 Torches pointing down
171 Torches pointing up
172 Time’s dart
173 Death (figure)
174 Memento Mori text eg. Tempus Fugit Be ye ready
176 Serpent
177 Serpent eating its tail
180 Scale
187 Broken column
191 Star
192 Moon
193 Sun
194 Sun rising/setting
Cherubs and Angels:
210 Cherub head and wings only
212 Two cherubs
213 Three cherubs
220 Cherub with body
230 Cherub with trumpet
250 Angel
260 Angel kneeling
270 Angel flying
Vegetation:
300 Flower
310 Rosette/marigold
311 Rose
312 Tulip
313 Lily
315 Yorkshire rose
316 Thistle
317 Daffodil
320 Flower with broken stem
325 Flower with sickle
330 Leaves
332 Stylised leaves
333 Shamrocks
335 Vine
337 Ivy
340 Fruit
345 Grapes
350 Tree
355 Willow
357 Palm
360 Sheaf of wheat
370 Wreath
Crosses:
400 Cross
405 Cross with expanded terminals
410 Celtic/Ring-headed cross
420 Maltese cross
430 Gothic cross
440 Two-barred cross
450 Chi Rho
Figures:
500 Figure
505 Jesus
506 Madonna
507 Virgin Mary full figure
508 Justice with scales
509 Head of Jesus
510 Portrait of deceased
511 Head of Mary
515 Saint
520 Full figure of deceased alive
530 Full figure of deceased dead
540 Classical figure, unknown
543 Classical figure, Hope with anchor
545 Classical figure, mourning
547 Classical figure, mourning, with altar/urn
550 Anchor
580 Other mourning
Christian:
610 Book (uncertain) closed
611 Trinity
612 ‘Gloria in excelsis deo’ text
613 Line of Bosses
615 Book open
620 Bible closed
625 Bible open
626 Scroll (not pattern or text panel)
627 Banner
630 Crown
631 Crown with radiance
633 Triangle with radiance
635 Eye with radiance
637 Cross with radiance
640 Crucifixion
641 Crucifixion – complete scene
642 Crucifixion – church interior
645 Symbols of the Passion
650 Crown of thorns
655 Lamb
656 Lamb of God with cross, banner
657 Lamb of God – no banner
660 Heart
661 Heart pierced by Time’s dart
662 Sacred Heart
663 Sacred heart with radiance
664 ‘Squirting’ heart
670 IHS
672 IHS interwoven
673 IHS with cross on bar of H
674 as 673 in radiate circle (often dog tooth pattern)
680 Adam and Eve
685 Day of Judgement/Resurrection
686 Day of Judgement/Resurrection with radiance
688 Alpha and/or Omega
690 Other Biblical
695 Chalice
710 Altar
713 Altar, Christian
715 Altar, Classical
720 Tomb
730 Urn
735 Draped urn
740 Romanesque tracery
750 Gothic tracery in relief
755 Gothic window
760 Ecclesiastical building
761 Gate of St. Peters
770 Interlace (Celtic)
780 Vine scrolls with animals, birds
Other:
800 Hand
810 Hand pointing up
812 Hand pointing down
820 Hands clasped/shaking
825 Hand in prayer
833 Trefoil
834 Quatrefoil
850 Birds
851 Bird and bush/flower
852 Feathers
855 Dove
860 Animals
861 Dog
870 Scrollwork (pattern)
880 Shell
883 Palmette
885 Cornucopia
890 Fan
895 Swags of cloth – central
896 Canopy
897 Curtains
900 Masonic symbols
901 Square and compass
902 Compass
903 Square
Other:
909 Horse
910 Fleur-de-lys
920 Shield
921 Diamond
922 Circle
924 Full formal Heraldic
Arms
925 Shield with design on it
926 Lion
927 Crossed swords
928 Helmet
929 Military Regimental insignia
930 Transport scene
931 Horseback/cart
932 Ship
933 Train
934 Bicycle
935 Car
936 Motor cycle
937 Lorry/Bus
938 Aeroplane
939 Gun/Cannon
940 Occupation (other)
941 Ploughing
945 Blacksmiths tools
946 Horseshoe
947 Weaver’s tools
948 Carpenter’s tools
950 Hobby
955 Toys
956 Cartoon character
960 Rural scene
961 Hunting
970 Urban scene
980 Pews
990 Portrait photograph
991 Portrait etched