Hey all, we received an email from a lady named Maryanna who has a question about what windchimes mean when they are placed on a gravesite. I don't recall myself, but have heard of it. Does anyone know what it means? Here's what Maryanna wrote:

quote:

I couldn't find any specific meaning of windchimes at a gravesite during a quick Google search, but it seems like they are a common token of respect left at gravesites, like flowers, crosses, etc. are commonly left at gravesites.

This article[/URL] mentions windchimes, crosses, and angels hanging on a tree at JonBenet Ramsey's gravesite.

Windchimes are part of feng shui belief.They promote the flow of positive energy.Why anyone would place them over a grave unless just for the medolic value is beyond me.Did you mother like windchimes?If so maybe it was just a gift for her.I hope that I was of some help. Bonnie

I don't know the meaning of windchimes over a grave either and like Kevin I couldn't find much. My suggestion would be to ask whomever is in charge of the cemetery. They would probably be very knowledgable about local customs, superstitions, and religious costums.

Now dont take this to the bank but I asked a friend and she said her mother collected wind chimes. The song they make fend off bad energy and enhance the good mabe it is someones way of giving a blessing of good to her.

It definitely seems to be a gesture of good will, or endearment. When I think about it, windchimes sort of add a 'voice' where there is none. (That makes sense, doesn't it!? =P )

Here are some tidbits I've found about it--

Shelley's Resting Place[/URL]
Cemetery Photos-Mementos[/URL]

I also see that there are some cemeteries out there that do not appreciate the windchimes being hung for various reasons - the chiming disturbs other funerals in progress, they fall into a state of disrepair if not cared for, etc.

This story gave me goose skin because we had this happen with the windchimes hanging in our living room a couple years ago...
Ghost Stories - Rose[/URL]

Here are some snippets that also show it as a good gesture--

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According to european folklore, windchimes were used by people to:
A: fend off evil spirits
and
B: detect ghosts.
This goes all the way back to the greek (koina) language used in the early new testament times..
The word for Spirit or Ghost (pneuma )is the same word for breath.
It was assumed that anytime a spirit was present the chimes would sound. They would drive away an evil presence, but not a good one.

dont know if this relates .. but it is interesting.
-Jeff

It is interesting! Thanks Jeff!

Kell

That is very interesting,I have never heard of windchimes on a grave. I may do that for my sisters grave,if the cemetery allows it.

Ok I had to come back to this to let you know what I found out this weekend. I went to visit my stepfathers grave and there they were ! Windchimes...... so I had to ask the grounds keeper what he thought about why they were there. and heres what he said It scares the deer off so they dont eat the flowers. Not very romantic but I geuss it could work except the deer up here arnt afraid of much they come right up on our porch and eat any plant they can reach and you almost have to smak them on the butt to make them go away !!!! So afraid of a little wind chime I'm not so sure. dfdl530 =)

It might have something to do with the sound itself. Bells are supposed to ward off evil spirits...and in a way, wind through the chimes would cause a sound wave that might clash with an incoming spirit that also works through waves. massachusetts paranormal crossroads[/URL]

Boy, is this a freaky topic only because (not to sound morbid) I was just talking to my husband yesterday about when it comes time for our passing. If I go before him, I wanted placed at my grave site a St francis statue (because I love animals so much) and windchimes. I love the sound they make I have 3 around my house. Well just wanted to share my freakiness with you sorry I sounded so morbid. Kitchenwitch

I don't think your being morbid at all Kitchenwitch! Having a conversation about that is inevitable, it might not be the most pleasant of conversations....but it is one that needs to be had. One never knows what life holds for them....and I think it would be easier to know what the other person had wanted if something were to happen. Ex: A friend of mine passed suddenly (this was many years ago) and Thank Goodness he had had this conversation with his girlfriend, because she was the only one that knew what he wanted ...it really put his families mind at ease being able to just arrange things as he had wanted.

It does sound Morbid doesn't it heh....

Ok so we'll say......morbid but necessary

Hi Kitchenwitch! How ya doing?
I just bought some wind chimes this morning to put up in each room of the house. These would be very good ghost detectors. The activity seems to be vey busy here lately. I hope they work.
Suzy

I really hadn't heard of windchimes on a grave before, but I think it is a lovely touch. I absolutely adore windchimes (there are 4 in my back yard), and if someone places windchimes on my grave someday, my spirit would be very happy. The cemetery mentioned above that forbids them, because it supposedly interrupts funerals, sounds like it must have some pretty crotchety people attending funerals there. If I attended a funeral, and heard windchimes at the gravesite, I think I would feel more comforted than incensed by them.

We also had a large windchime made by a metalsmith hanging in our living room. It is of a Hopi kachina, with large, bell like tubes below it, all made of rather heavy iron. It would take a good breeze to ring it, but we had it in the living room because if went along with our Southwestern decor. Anyway, we heard it one evening as we sat there... and no one was near it, nor was there any air movement in the house strong enough to move it. We concluded at the time that it must be one of our ghosties who rang it. After reading above that windchimes attract spirits, perhaps we were right on the money with our assumption. =) We have our computers near that area, and have had other kinds of spirit activity ongoing there for quite sometime (one even tugged on the back of my blouse, and Kell saw my blouse move in an uncharacteristic manner at the time).
We have numerous orb pictures taken in this room, and we see spirits here, from time to time. So, I think I will put the windchimes back up as soon as we finish painting. =)

Hey suzy, I'm good except for all the tropical weather and rain =P . How are you and all your ghosts doing? I am sure the windchimes will let you know when your ghosts are around they are also a part of feng shui and they help to get rid of neg energy. Hope to talk to you soon take care KW aka Barb