A lantern of the dead (French: “lanterne des morts”) is a small, slender tower or column from the Middle Ages, fitted with an open upper section in which a light burned at night, both to commemorate the deceased and to serve as a beacon. They stood in cemeteries and served religious and practical purposes.
Form and structure
A typical lantern of the dead has three parts:
- Base — a masonry or stone plinth, often with a niche or small altar
- Shaft — a slender pier or column, sometimes hollow
- Lantern house — the crown with openings through which light shone
Total height varies from a few metres to more than ten. The light opening was often topped with a small spire, a cross or a crocket.
Use and symbolism
Lanterns of the dead were built mainly in the 11th to 13th centuries, especially in western and central France:
- Eternal light — symbol of eternal life and the presence of God
- Beacon — for travellers and pilgrims passing the cemetery at night
- Protection — the light was thought to ward off evil spirits and grave robbers
- Memorial — a lasting monument to the deceased
Surviving examples
They are rare in the Low Countries but several dozen survive in France. Well-known examples include those at Cellefrouin and Sarlat-la-Canéda. Today they are typically protected as historic monuments.
Related terms
- Crocket
- Pinnacle
- Cemetery
- Mortuary chapel
- Romanesque architecture
Want to learn more about construction terms? Visit our knowledge base at fredsdiyplans.com.