This is one of the many decorative headstones in Belfast City Cemetery. It belongs to Lucy Layton Hamilton who died on July 18th 1878 She was from Bangor and was only 16 when she died. The headstone is an anchor entangled in rope. The anchor became a key Christian symbol during the period of Roman persecution.

The anchor was an early Christian symbol commonly found in the Roman catacombs as a symbol of the hope we have in Christ beyond this life,  The symbol comes from this biblical verse:

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:19-20)

Whatever about it’s origins this is a very good example.