Memento Mori

Memento Mori - Remember you must die

Memento Mori is a pretty big influence on my artwork, and it’s a theme I’m interested in anyway. It has always fascinated me how death today is seen as almost a taboo subject, not many people want to talk about it, which I find strange. Looking back through history death has always been talked about and accepted as a part of life, in fact, in some cases, it was even celebrated in a way.

There are many examples in artwork and cemeteries of Memento Mori. The imagery used was symbolic but also a way to remind the viewer of how fragile and short life can be.

Symbolism

Hour Glass/Clock - Time can and will run out

Candle - the flame can be extinguished by the slightest gust of wind

Flowers - wilting flowers represent grief and sadness

Decaying Fruits - reminder of our morality

Butterfly - Nature of life

Book - Knowledge

Wings - represents the ascension into heaven, these are normally paired with a skull or hour glass.

Coffin - means death

Sexton - looks after the church (grave digger)

Skulls & Skeletons - represents death