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The Cenotaph, London.
The Cenotaph, London.
For other uses, see Cenotaph (disambiguation).

A cenotaph is a tomb or a monument erected in honour of a person or group of persons whose remains are elsewhere. A monument is a structure either explicitly created to commemorate a person or important event or which has become important to a social group as a part of their remembrance of past It can also be the initial tomb for a person who has since been interred elsewhere. The word derives from the Greek κενοτάϕιον (kenos, one meaning being "empty", and taphos, "tomb"). Greek (el ελληνική γλώσσα or simply el ελληνικά — "Hellenic" is an Indo-European language, spoken today by 15-22 million people mainly Although the vast majority of cenotaphs are erected in honour of individuals, many of the best-known cenotaphs are instead dedicated to the memories of groups of individuals, such as the war dead of one country or empire.

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The Cenotaph, London

Probably the best-known cenotaph in the modern world is the one that stands in Whitehall, London. Whitehall is a road in Westminster in London, England. It is the main artery running north from Parliament Square, towards traditional London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, who conceived the idea from the name of a structure in Gertrude Jekyll's garden[1], and constructed from Portland stone between 1919 and 1920 by Holland, Hannen & Cubitts. Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens, OM, KCIE, PRA, FRIBA, LLD ( 29 March 1869 – 1 January 1944 Gertrude Jekyll ( November 29, 1843 – December 8, 1932) (surname pronounced /ˈdʒiˌkəl/) was an influential British garden Portland stone is a Limestone from the Jurassic period quarried on the Isle of Portland, Dorset. Holland Hannen & Cubitts was a major building firm responsible for many of the great buildings of London. It replaced Lutyen's identical wood-and-plaster cenotaph erected in 1919 for the Allied Victory Parade commissioned by David Lloyd George, and is a Grade I listed building. David Lloyd George 1st Earl Lloyd George of Dwyfor OM, PC (17 January 1863 &ndash 26 March 1945 was a British Statesman and the only A listed building in the United Kingdom is a building or other structure officially designated as being of special architectural historical or cultural significance [2] It is undecorated save for a carved wreath on each end and the words "The Glorious Dead", chosen by Rudyard Kipling. Joseph Rudyard Kipling (30 December 1865 – 18 January 1936 was an English Author and poet

A ceremony at the Cenotaph, London, on Sunday 12 June 2005, remembering Irish war dead.
A ceremony at the Cenotaph, London, on Sunday 12 June 2005, remembering Irish war dead.

The sides of the Cenotaph are not parallel, but if extended would meet at a point some 900 feet above the ground. Similarly, the "horizontal" surfaces are in fact sections of a sphere whose centre is 900 feet below ground. [3] The joints of the masonry are all within one-fourteenth of an inch (1. Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by mortar, and the term "masonry" can also refer to the units themselves 8 millimetres). The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International [4]

It is flanked on each side by various flags of the United Kingdom which Lutyens had wanted to be carved in stone. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located Although Lutyens was overruled and cloth flags were used, his later Rochdale cenotaph had stone flags. Rochdale is a large Market town in Greater Manchester, England In the years following 1919, the Cenotaph displayed a Union Flag, a White Ensign, and a Red Ensign on one side and a Union Flag, a White Ensign, and a Blue Ensign on the other side. The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the national flag of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. The White Ensign is an Ensign flown on British Royal Navy ships and Shore establishments It consists of a red St George's Cross on The Red Ensign or " Red Duster " is a Flag that originated in the early 17th century as an Ensign flown by the Royal Navy. The Blue Ensign is a Flag, one of several British ensigns, used by certain organisations or territories associated with the United Kingdom. On 1 April 1943, an RAF Ensign was substituted for the White Ensign on the west side of the monument. Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1943 ( MCMXLIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (the link will display full 1943 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Royal Air Force Ensign is the official Flag which is used to represent the Royal Air Force. The flags displayed as of 2007 represent the Royal Navy, the British Army, the Royal Air Force, and the Merchant Navy. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. The British Merchant Navy, known simply as the Merchant Navy is the maritime register of the United Kingdom, and describes the seagoing commercial interests

The Cenotaph is the site of the annual national service of remembrance held at 11:00 a. m. on Remembrance Sunday, the closest Sunday to 11 November (Armistice Day). In the United Kingdom, Remembrance Sunday is the second Sunday of November the Sunday nearest to 11 November ( Remembrance Day) which is the anniversary Armistice Day is the anniversary of the symbolic end of World War I on 11 November, 1918.

Uniformed service personnel (excluding fire and ambulance personnel) always salute the Cenotaph as they pass. A salute (also called obeisance) is a Gesture (often Hand gesture) or other action used to display respect It was, for example, very noticeably the only salute made by the Royal Horse Artillery driver of Princess Diana's funeral carriage during that procession; on that occasion he did not salute even the queen. The Royal Horse Artillery (RHA is a regiment in the British Army. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II

Cenotaphs around the world

Memorial Cenotaph, Hiroshima, Japan.
Memorial Cenotaph, Hiroshima, Japan.

Cenotaphs have been erected in many countries around the world since ancient times. It was a common tradition in the ancient world, with many examples built in Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece and across in Northern Europe (in the shape of Neolithic barrows). Ancient Egypt was an Ancient Civilization in eastern North Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now The term ancient Greece refers to the period of Greek history lasting from the Greek Dark Ages ca The Neolithic (from Greek νεολιθικός — neolithikos from νέος neos, "new" + λίθος lithos A tumulus (plural tumuli) is a Mound of earth and stones raised over a grave or graves The practice is still continued around the world. Lutyens' cenotaph influenced the design of many other war memorials in Britain and the British sectors of the Western Front. See Western Front (disambiguation for other meanings Western Front was a term used during the First and Second World The John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial in Dallas is often described as a cenotaph. The John Fitzgerald Kennedy Memorial is a Monument to the late U The Cenotaph in Central, Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong and the Cenotaph in Singapore were erected in memorial of the war dead in World War I. The Cenotaph ( Traditional Chinese: 和平紀念碑 constructed in 1923 in the Statue Square, Central, Hong Kong Island, commemorates Central (also Central District; Cantonese Choong Wan or Chung Wan) the Central business district of Hong Kong was commonly known as part of Hong Kong Island ( is an island in the southern part of Hong Kong, China. Hong Kong ( officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is a territory located on China 's south coast on the Pearl River Delta, and borders The Cenotaph ( Chinese: 战亡纪念碑 is a War memorial located within the Esplanade Park at Connaught Drive, within the Central Area A cenotaph in Yale University's Hewitt Quad (or Beinecke Plaza) honours the Men of Yale who died in battle. Hewitt University Quadrangle (until 1917 University Court; informally Hewitt Quadrangle or Beinecke Plaza) is a plaza at the center of the Yale University

The cenotaph concept is by no means confined to Europe. One of the most famous non-European examples is the concrete Memorial Cenotaph at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, designed by Kenzo Tange to commemorate the 200,000 victims of the August 1945 atomic bomb attack. is a large park in the center of Hiroshima, Japan. It is dedicated to the legacy of Hiroshima as the first city in the world to suffer a nuclear attack ( was a Japanese Architect, and winner of the 1987 Pritzker Prize for Architecture. Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar The atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were nuclear attacks near the end of World War II against the Empire of Japan by the United States at

The Victory Square Cenotaph, located in Victory Square in Vancouver, BC, Canada was built as a memorial to the Canadian soldiers who died in World War I. Victory Square is a park in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Vancouver (vænˈkuːvɚ is a coastal British Columbia (ˌbrɪtɨʃ kəˈlʌmbiə ( BC) ( (la Colombie-Britannique C Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All The India Gate is a war memorial in New Delhi commemorating the Indian dead of the First World War. The India Gate is one of the largest War memorials in India. Situated in the heart of New Delhi, India Gate is prominent landmark in Delhi New Delhi (नई दिल्ली ਨਵੀਂ ਦਿੱਲੀ نئی دلی is the Capital city of India. World War I (abbreviated WWI; also known as the First World War, the Great War, and the War to End All

Voortrekker Monument from the front
Voortrekker Monument from the front
The Cenotaph, on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
The Cenotaph, on Hong Kong Island, Hong Kong
The Cenotaph in 1945, when the United Kingdom resumed control over Hong Kong after Japan surrendered
The Cenotaph in 1945, when the United Kingdom resumed control over Hong Kong after Japan surrendered
Bermuda
Bermuda
The Cenotaph nearby the Tugu Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The Cenotaph nearby the Tugu Negara in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Tugu Negara, literally the " National Monument " in Malay, is a sculpture that commemorates those who died in Malaysia 's struggle Kuala Lumpur (ˈkwɑːləlʊmˈpʊər Malay /kwɑlɑlʊmpʊ/ and locally /kwɑləlʊmpɔ/ or even /kɔlɔmpɔ/ or often abbreviated as K For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and

The Voortrekker Monument stands in Pretoria, South Africa. The Voortrekker Monument is a Monument situated in the city of Pretoria, South Africa. Pretoria is a city located in the northern part of Gauteng Province, South Africa. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa The two main points of interest in the building are the Historical Frieze and the Cenotaph Hall. The unique marble Historical Frieze is an intrinsic part of the design of the monument and is situated in the Hall of Heroes. Marble is a nonfoliated Metamorphic rock resulting from the Metamorphism of Limestone, composed mostly of Calcite (a crystalline form of The focus point of the monument is the cenotaph. On top of the Hall of Heroes is a dome from where one can view the interior of the monument. It is through an opening in this dome that the sun shines at twelve o'clock on December 16 each year onto the middle of the cenotaph and the words 'Ons vir Jou, Suid-Afrika' or Afrikaans for 'We for Thee, South Africa'. Events 755 - An Lushan revolts against Chancellor Yang Guozhong at Fanyang, initiating the An Shi Rebellion Afrikaans is an Indo-European language, derived from 17th century Dutch and classified as Low Franconian Germanic, mainly spoken in The ray of sunshine symbolises God's blessing on the lives and endeavours of the Voortrekkers. 16 December was chosen as it is the date in 1838 that the Battle of Blood River was fought. In the Battle of Blood River ( Afrikaans: Slag van Bloedrivier; Zulu: iMpi yaseNcome) on 16 December 1838 470 Voortrekkers

The Church of Santa Engrácia, in Lisbon, Portugal, turned into a National Pantheon since 1966, holds six cenotaphs, namely to Luís de Camões, Pedro Álvares Cabral, Afonso de Albuquerque, Nuno Álvares Pereira, Vasco da Gama and Henry the Navigator. The Church of Santa Engrácia ( Portuguese: Igreja de Santa Engrácia, pron. Lisbon (Lisboa liʒˈboɐ is the Capital and largest city of Portugal. Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. Luís Vaz de Camões (luˈiʃ vaʃ dɨ kaˈmõĩʃ sometimes rendered in English from old Portuguese as Camoens) (c Pedro Álvares Cabral (about 1467/1468/1469 &ndash about 1520 ˈpeðɾʊ ˈaɫvɐɾɨʃ kɐˈβɾaɫ in Portuguese, ˈawvaɾiʃ caˈbɾaw in Brazilian) was Dom Afonso de Albuquerque (or Afonso d'Albuquerque - disused (ɐˈfõsu dɨ aɫbuˈkɛɾk(ɨ (1453 Alhandra - Goa, December 16 1515 was a Portuguese Dom Nuno Álvares Pereira, O Carm ( pron 'nunu 'aɫvɐɾɨʃ pɨ'ɾɐjɾɐ ( July 24 Dom Vasco da Gama, 1st Count of Vidigueira ('vaʃku dɐ 'gɐmɐ ( Sines or Vidigueira, Alentejo, Portugal, ca The Infante Henrique Duke of Viseu ( Porto, March 4, 1394 – Sagres, November 13, 1460) pron

Chhatris (cenotaphs) in India

Main article: Chhatris (cenotaphs) in India

In India, cenotaphs are a basic element of Hindu architecture borrowed from Islam. Chhatris are elevated dome-shaped pavilions used as an element in Indian architecture, or funerary sites in India which have such structures built over them India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country A Hindu ( Devanagari: हिन्दू is an adherent of the philosophies and scriptures of Hinduism, a set of religious, Philosophical The term architecture (from Greek αρχιτεκτονικήarchitektoniki) can be used to mean a process a profession or documentation For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. They are termed chhatris, meaning canopy, and are found throughout the northwestern region of Rajasthan. Chhatris are elevated dome-shaped pavilions used as an element in Indian architecture, or funerary sites in India which have such structures built over them Rājasthān ( Devanāgarī: राजस्थान raːdʒəst̪ʰaːn is the largest state of the Republic of India in terms of area In the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan, chhatris are built on the cremation sites of wealthy or distinguished individuals. Etymology of Shekhawati Shekhawati has been first time mentioned in the book 'Bankidas ki khyat' Chhatris in Shekhawati may consist of a simple structure of one dome raised by four pillars to a building containing many domes and a basement with several rooms. In some places, the interior of the chhatris is painted in the same manner as the Havelis. Haveli ( Urdu: حویلی, Hindi: हवेली) is the term used for a private residence in Pakistan and North India.

View of Chhatri (Cenotaph) of Scindia Rulers at Shivpuri, India
View of Chhatri (Cenotaph) of Scindia Rulers at Shivpuri, India

Some of the best-known chhatris in the Shekhawati region of Rajasthan are located at the following cities and towns:

Many other chhatris exist in other parts of Rajasthan. Chhatris are elevated dome-shaped pavilions used as an element in Indian architecture, or funerary sites in India which have such structures built over them WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Udaipurwati is a city in Shekhawati and a Municipality in Jhunjhunun district in the Indian WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Ramgarh is a city and a Municipality in Sikar district in the Indian Dundlod is a town in Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan in India. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Mukandgarh is a city and a Municipality in Jhunjhunun district in the Indian WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Churu (चूरु is a town in the desert region of Rajasthan state of India Mahansar ( Hindi:महनसर is town of Shekhawati region in Rajasthan, India. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Udaipurwati is a city in Shekhawati and a Municipality in Jhunjhunun district in the Indian Fatehpur (फतेहपुर शेखावाटी is a town of Sikar district in Rajasthan, India. Their locations include:

The region of Madhya Pradesh is the site of several other notable chhatris:

Cenotaphs for the missing

Although most notable cenotaphs commemorate notable individuals buried elsewhere, many cenotaphs pay tribute to people whose remains have never been located. One of the most striking cenotaphs to be found in Arlington National Cemetery is that of RMS Titanic victim Major Archibald Butt, aide to President William Taft, whose body was not recovered after the sinking. Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States, established during the American Civil War Construction The Titanic was a White Star Line ocean liner built at the Harland and Wolff shipyard in Belfast, Ireland Major Archibald Willingham Butt ( September 26, 1865 – April 15, 1912) was an influential military aide to U William Howard Taft (September 15 1857 – March 8 1930 was an American politician, the twenty-seventh President of the United States, the tenth Chief Justice

Cenotaphs in art

Étienne-Louis Boullée, Cénotaphe a Newton (1784)
Étienne-Louis Boullée, Cénotaphe a Newton (1784)

Cenotaphs have also been the subject of a number of famous illustrations, notably:

See also

References

  1. ^ http://www.purtonmagazine.co.uk/2006-04_apr.pdf
  2. ^ "buildings of outstanding or national architectural or historic interest"
  3. ^ The Cenotaph - Churches of St Peter and All Saints, Nottingham, England on-line magazine
  4. ^ Cenotaph Garden Marker

Further reading

Chhatris are elevated dome-shaped pavilions used as an element in Indian architecture, or funerary sites in India which have such structures built over them A war memorial is a building monument statue or other edifice to celebrate a War or victory or (predominating in modern times to commemorate those who died or were injured Throughout history many Soldiers have died in wars without their remains being identified The Shrine of Remembrance, located in St Kilda Road, Melbourne, is one of the largest War memorials in Australia, and resides in Kings Domain Melbourne ( is the second most populous city in Australia, with a Metropolitan area population of approximately 3 For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. The New London School explosion occurred on March 18, 1937, when a Natural gas leak caused an Explosion, destroying the New London School of

Dictionary

cenotaph

-noun

  1. A monument erected to honour the dead whose bodies lie elsewhere; especially members of the armed forces who died in battle.
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