Project Critique - Visual Symbolism in Burial Monuments

Project Critique - Visual Symbolism in Burial Monuments


This project critique will consider whether my initial aims have been met and whether the project can be considered to be valid and reliable.

The aim of this project was to concentrate on symbolism found on memorials in two similar burial grounds, the Campbell of Dunstaffnage burial ground at Dunstaffnage Chapel and the MacDougall of Dunollie burial ground at Kilbride Church. The primary aim of this project was to discover whether the symbols employed by the two families can give us an insight into the kind of messages they were attempting to portray to society. The secondary aim was to prove that there is similar, repetitive symbolism in these monuments, and whether there were any differences in the symbolism between the monuments.

I believe the primary aim has been met and that the symbols found in both burial grounds can tell us something about what the families wished to portray to society. The most obvious example is the repeated use of the family mottos found in both burial grounds. These portray a clear message about who the people were, their history and status. Various religious symbols were also found on the gravestones such as the Skull and Crossbones and the Celtic crosses which emphasise the religious beliefs of the people who created these monuments and wished that their deceased relatives would experience mortality and an eternity of peace in the after life.

It is fair to say that the secondary aim has also been met. Particular symbols appeared again and again in both monuments, for example the family mottos and crosses. There were also differences between the two monuments with their use of different symbols, this can be explained by the time in which the monuments were erected and the slight difference with Kilbride in that it was a parish burial ground as well as a family burial ground. The Skull and Crossbone symbol features prominently at Dunstaffnage while there are no examples of it at Kilbride. Kilbride also has examples of symbols such as the wreath and leaves of which there are no examples at Dunstaffnage.

So much more could be said about the symbolism at these monuments but I have tried to limit the examples to the most widely used symbols used at both places. Visual symbolism in burial monuments is such a huge subject that I would not be able to go any further into it in fear of getting completely carried away with the subject and forgetting my main aims of this small project.

I believe that this project is valid and that it has measured what I intended it to. I made specific choices about which symbols to document and I have tried to be consistent with the samples by photographing similar symbols. I think that the data proves to be reliable because I was photographing inanimate objects so I didn't have to worry about the reaction of the subject. The project can be considered as reliable as it provided consistent results which could be achieved again under similar circumstances. I believe that all the photographs I have included are relevant to the project aims and I don't think there is anything here that could be considered as being out of context in relation to the project aims.

However, there will always be issues with validity and reliability when a researcher is involved. Perhaps the validity and reliability could be questionable because of my own bias towards the project and the involvement of my own perspectives. After all, I made a choice about what to include and what to exclude in relation to the aims of the project. But there will always be issues with these concepts and I think overall that my project can be considered to be valid and reliable.

I found it was necessary to provide a small comment on the symbols that appear in the photographs so that anyone looking at them could understand the context and meanings of some of these symbols which they might not have initially understood without this commentary. For the society that created these monuments the symbolism would be clear to anyone at the time who was looking at these symbols. Most were the product of a period in time when literacy levels were lower than they are today, so symbols were an important means of communicating certain messages to society.

I have enjoyed the undertaking of this project, going out and taking photos and setting up my blog. The only issues I was faced with was the usual terrible west coast weather which scuppered my attempts at getting decent photos several times. I enjoyed setting up the blog as well having never used a blog before. The only issues that annoyed me about the blog was the length of time it took to upload photos and the fact that I couldn't arrange them into separate albums without uploading everything again. I thought about creating a slideshow but couldn't face uploading all the photos again. Unfortunately because of this my Kilbride photos are not in the order I would have wished because I had to add new versions after uploading the original ones. But the Dunstaffnage ones turned out okay once I had worked out the order in which I wanted to upload them. Overall I have really enjoyed this class, taking photos is always enjoyable and I didn't feel like I was actually doing any work!

Visual symbolism in Burial Monuments

This visual sociology project concentrates on some of the visual symbolism that can be found on burial monuments. I have concentrated on two similar burial grounds: The Campbells of Dunstaffnage Burial ground at Dunstaffnage Chapel and the MacDougalls of Dunollie burial ground at Kilbride church. Both burial grounds are from around the same time period, the mid to late 18th century. The burial grounds are linked to two of the most powerful families in the area and along with burials dedicated to members of the family there are also examples of graves which belong to members of the local community. I have concentrated on the symbols employed by the families and what they can tell us about the message they wished to portray to society. I have attempted to photograph symbols which are repeated, but I also wanted to see if there were any different symbols which appeared in the burial grounds. I thought it would be interesting to find out if there are similarities or differences in the symbolism used in these monuments.

Dunstaffnage Chapel

Dunstaffnage Chapel was built in the mid 13th century and is a perfect example of the wealth and sophistication of its builder, Duncan MacDougall. No other chapel of this date in mainland Scotland can match it for quality. Little is known about the chapel other than it was a family chapel which served the inhabitants of the castle, it was never a parish church. In 1740 when the chapel had become ruinous the Campbells of Dunstaffnage incorporated a burial aisle into the east gable. It contains memorials to members of the Campbell family.

Burial aisle from the front

Burial aisle entrance

This door acts as a barrier to keep the Chapel private. It is unclear whether there was originally a door there, but because the Chapel is part of a tourist attraction the door has been added to keep people out.

Latin Inscription on Burial Aisle entrance

fiacre, margarita et ludovice
Orate Pro Nobis
mcmxxx

St Fiacre,St Margaret and St Louis
Pray For Us
1930

The previous Captain of Dunstaffnage believed the Chapel was dedicated to St Fiacre, patron of Brie in N. France. St Margaret of Scotland and St Louis of France were added because the Captain claimed descent from both.

This inscription was a way for the Campbells of Dunstaffnage to show off their status and royal descent.

Skull and Crossbone on entrance wall

The skull and crossbone symbol is a common symbol which appears on gravestones and burial monuments. It means death and mortality.

It also reminds me of a gargoyle or a grotesque which are quite common on older buildings. These are believed to be used to symbolise and ward off the evil outside of the building and protect the beauty of the inside.

Chapel interior

View from the far end of the chapel, looking towards the burial aisle. A column memorial can be seen behind the wall. The wall is the boundary of the burial aisle, it excludes people from gaining access.

Pediment on 18th century funerary monument

Scroll Reads 'Arise ye dead and come to judgement!'

Lots of symbolism going on here:
Angel with trumpets= Call to the resurrection.
Skull and Crossbones= Death and mortality.
Hour glass= Passage of time
5 point star= Star of Bethlehem, divine guidance and protection.

Celtic cross memorial

Symbolising Christiantiy and eternity.

This is the grave of Edith Islay Campbell, died in 1864 aged 13 months.

Granite cross gravestone

Repeated symbolism: Eternity, Christianity.

Grave of 21st Captain of Dunstaffnage

The gravestone of the 21st Captain of Dunstaffnage, Michael Eadon Campbell. Campbell of Dunstaffnage motto at the top of the stone.

Campbell of Dunstaffnage Motto

This symbol is the Motto of the Campbells of Dunstaffnage.

Vigilando = To watch over or guard.

Anchor = Several symbolic possibilities: seafaring background, hope, used as a symbol for the cross. The use of an anchor can also mean that the ship (i.e. the body/soul) has come home to port. Also Masonic symbolism for well-grounded hope.

Grave of 20th Captain of Dunstaffnage

The grave of the 20th Captain of Dunstaffnage, Angus John Campbell.

Religious and family symbolism

There is quite a lot going on with the symbolism here.

There is a celtic cross at the top, symbolising Christianity and eternity.
The inscription 'O crux ave spes unica' means 'O Cross, our only hope'. It is part of a verse of a very early hymn but is used frequently as a Catholic motto.

The Campbells of Dunstaffnage motto is also here, symbolising that he is part of the family. Only they can use this motto.

Grave of the wife of the 21st Captain

This is the grave of Kathleen Campbell, wife of the 21st Captain of Dunstaffnage.

The Campbell of Dunstaffnage motto is again shown at the top of the stone, she is a member of the family.

Campbell of Dunstaffnage motto on Kathleen Campbell's grave

Repeated symbolism, the family motto appears again. This highlights her status and the fact that she is a member of the family.

The grave of Tatton Bardwell

This is the grave of Tatton Bardwell, husband of Mary Campbell of Dunstaffnage.

There is no Campbell of Dunstaffnage motto on this grave, he has been given the symbol of his own family name.

Bardwell family motto

The Bardwell family motto, 'Bear thee well'

Although he is not a Campbell of Dunstaffnage, his status means that he was significant enough to be buried in the family burial ground. His links to the family come through his wife.

Grave at the opposite end of the Chapel

This grave is at the opposite end of the chapel from the Campbells burial aisle. This person was obviously a significant member of the community for them to be buried in the family chapel. Obviously not a member of the Campbell family, but someone of importance anyway.

Skull and Crossbones symbolism: death and mortality.

It has been likened to other graves of members of the Masonic order. Perhaps this is their status if they have been permitted burial in this private chapel.