![]() “I started learning about Stoicism in early 2017 and most everything almost immediately rang true in my life, especially Memento Mori. Below is a collection of some Memento Mori tattoos and the stories behind them. Harry Styles, Adam Levine, Rihanna, Miley Cyrus, Ellie Goulding, Kesha, and Johnny Depp are just a few pop culture icons wearing reminders of death on their skin.ĭailyStoic reached out to readers to find out how they are remembering mortality through permanent body ink. They’ve been sources of healing, rebellion, punishment, allegiance, expression, and remembrance. The purpose of body art varies culturally and historically. One they can’t leave home without: tattoos.Įtching pigments on the body dates back tens of thousands of years, as evidenced by tattoos found on mummified preserved skin. While some put a painting on their wall or a skull on their desk, others opt for a more permanent piece of art. Skulls, hourglasses, skeletons, candles, and flowers, whether on a tombstone or a necklace, have long captured life’s fragility, time’s haste, and death’s certainty. ![]() The mediums by which Memento Mori reminders are expressed has progressed over time, but the comprising symbols have not altered. Hamlet held Yorick’s skull, Thomas Jefferson carried a Memento Mori watch key, Mozart wrote his most famous composition Requiem, and Picasso kept a skull in his studio for purposes synonymous with the slave reminding the Roman general, “ Remember, you too must die.” From the slave’s humbling whisper, Memento Mori evolved aesthetically and tangibly. But reflecting on and accepting the transient ephemeralness of our existence is the key unlocking lives of meaning and fulfillment. Modern society regards death as an unpleasant reality best kept far from mind else awakening agonizing terror. Socrates said, “The one aim of those who practice philosophy is to practice for dying and death.” Shakespeare said, “Every third thought should be my grave.” Michelangelo said, “No thought exists in me which death has not carved with his chisel.” Tolstoy said, “If we kept in mind that we will soon inevitably die, our lives would be completely different.” Moses said, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” And Mozart said, “As death, when we come to consider it closely, is the true goal of our existence.” Philosophers, writers, artists, composers, and leaders since life’s inception have meditated on death habitually to motivate and inspire. “ Remember thou art mortal.” “ Remember, you too must die.” The perfect reminder during a man’s momentary immortalization. His four-horse chariot parted the streets lined with thanks-givers chanting “ io Triumphe!” The roars of “ Hurray, O Triumph” was muffled by the whisper of slave, positioned deliberately in the chariot behind his master’s throne, “ Memento Mori, Memento Mori, Memento Mori,” the slave echoed. On the day of his parade, the victor wore a crown and a purple, gold-adorned toga, otherwise reserved for kings. There was a tradition in ancient Rome to celebrate the return of a victorious military general with a drawn out spectacle to sanctify the triumphant leader.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |