The history of Memento Mori is vast and varied, evidenced in everything from philosophy and religion to culture and literature. As far back as the Stoics of classical antiquity (the period of cultural history between the 8th century BC and the 6th century AD and a time in which both Greek and Roman societies flourished), tales abound of Memento Mori’s establishment in the lexicon of the day. In Ancient Rome, for example, after a major military victory, the triumphant generals were paraded through the streets. The ceremonial procession would last all day, the victor riding in a chariot accompanied by a slave standing behind him. The sole responsibility of this slave was to whisper in the General’s ear…”Look behind. Remember thou art mortal. Remember you must die.” The slave served to remind the victor, at glory’s peak, that the truth of his own mortality always remains.
“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think”....
These words spoken by Marcus Aurelius are perhaps the most well known of all the Memento Mori phrases. Because the phrase itself is wrought with depth and meaning, the symbolism used to represent the concept is extensive. While the most common symbol used in conjunction with Memento Mori is the SKULL, there are others worth a mention. The HOURGLASS, CLOCK, EXTINGUISHED CANDLE, FRUIT, and FLOWERS have all been utilized to connect mortality and life’s meaning. The passage of time and its relevance to how we live our lives arises again and again throughout the symbolism used for Memento Mori.
The roots of Memento Mori are planted deep within the history of the world as we know it. Perhaps those who have followed and written about the concept since its inception may sound familiar. The philosopher PLATO’s best known dialogue directly addresses the soul’s immortality and SOCRATES would regularly address the idea of the afterlife and its relation to a life well-lived. MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS, often carried with her small reminders of her own mortality. The Puritan THOMAS SMITH, as well as the Mexican Day of the Dead tributes throughout history have referred Memento Mori as well. Writers CAMUS and SARTRE, too, have shared their own ideas about Memento Mori through their works. VAN GOGH, PICASSO, and DAMIEN HIRST have all expressed Memento Mori in their art.
YOU, too, can be in the company of those to whom Memento Mori means so much.
The history of Memento Mori is vast and varied, evidenced in everything from philosophy and religion to culture and literature. As far back as the Stoics of classical antiquity (the period of cultural history between the 8th century BC and the 6th century AD and a time in which both Greek and Roman societies flourished), tales abound of Memento Mori’s establishment in the lexicon of the day. In Ancient Rome, for example, after a major military victory, the triumphant generals were paraded through the streets. The ceremonial procession would last all day, the victor riding in a chariot accompanied by a slave standing behind him. The sole responsibility of this slave was to whisper in the General’s ear…”Look behind. Remember thou art mortal. Remember you must die.” The slave served to remind the victor, at glory’s peak, that the truth of his own mortality always remains.
“You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think”....
These words spoken by Marcus Aurelius are perhaps the most well known of all the Memento Mori phrases. Because the phrase itself is wrought with depth and meaning, the symbolism used to represent the concept is extensive. While the most common symbol used in conjunction with Memento Mori is the SKULL, there are others worth a mention. The HOURGLASS, CLOCK, EXTINGUISHED CANDLE, FRUIT, and FLOWERS have all been utilized to connect mortality and life’s meaning. The passage of time and its relevance to how we live our lives arises again and again throughout the symbolism used for Memento Mori.
The roots of Memento Mori are planted deep within the history of the world as we know it. Perhaps those who have followed and written about the concept since its inception may sound familiar. The philosopher PLATO’s best known dialogue directly addresses the soul’s immortality and SOCRATES would regularly address the idea of the afterlife and its relation to a life well-lived. MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS, often carried with her small reminders of her own mortality. The Puritan THOMAS SMITH, as well as the Mexican Day of the Dead tributes throughout history have referred Memento Mori as well. Writers CAMUS and SARTRE, too, have shared their own ideas about Memento Mori through their works. VAN GOGH, PICASSO, and DAMIEN HIRST have all expressed Memento Mori in their art.
YOU, too, can be in the company of those to whom Memento Mori means so much.
