Memento Mori is a Latin phrase meaning “Remember that you will die”. It is believed to have originated from the Ancient Rome. They have a ritual procession called “Triumphus” literally meaning Triumph, were they paraded their victorious generals around Rome. It was the highest honor given to those who earn it. The generals would then be worship and admired by the masses.
During their time in the spotlight, a servant is tasked to stand by their side with one sole purpose, to whisper the words: “Respice post te. Hominem te esse memento. Memento Mori!” to the ear of the celebrating general. The word means: “Look behind you. Remember that you are but a Man. Remember that you will die.” What a bummer.
This will remind the general not to go over their heads and remember that they are but mortal and would also die. Talk about a grim reminder while celebrating.
It does not matter if your rich or poor, bad or good, we all are heading for that final train to the land of the dead. We will all die. The reminder of death is engraved in all cultures and every culture have a different way in reminding it.
Japan – Cherry Blossom Festival
The Japanese have their Cherry Blossom festival which last for about a week. The blossoms usually start to open between the end of March and the beginning of April. The sight is magnificent to behold but only last for a short while. Once fully bloomed, it slowly starts to fall off. The Sakura season usually last for about 10 days. The significance of the Sakura Festival in Japan is its meaning, reminding us of the ephemeral or the transient ways of things. That everything has its time, and it is slowly fleeting and that we should appreciate life
Mexico – Dia de Los Muertos
The Mexicans have their Dia de Los Muertos or most known as the Day of the Dead. It is a multi-day holiday where family gather and pray for their dead relatives. It is a way of remembering those who have pass on the next life. The festivity is complete with colorful altars, foods and of course the Calaveras and Skull candies.
Philippines – All Saints Day and All Souls Day
Much like the Mexicans, Filipinos also celebrate All Saints Day and All Souls Day on Nov 1 and 2 respectively. This tradition is very much Catholic. Family members gather around and spend time in the cemetery with their dead relatives. There are a lot of foods and drinks. It is like a family picnic in the cemetery. Graves are cleaned and candles are lighted the whole day. You will also find children and adults roaming around the cemetery carrying gold paint and a paint brush or two. You can hire them to clean and paint your relative’s tomb stone for a few coins. It is also worth mentioning that some of the tombstone have writings saying “Ako ngayon ikaw naman bukas” meaning “Today I am dead and you will be next”.
Europe – Danse Macabre
Europeans have their Danse Macabre, meaning the Dance or Death, which is a well-known memento mori theme art. We see paintings where the Grim Reaper is dancing with skeletons of rich and poor, young and old depicting that death comes to all of us. They also have their mourning brooch and mourning rings all reminding of death that is to come.
It is good to be reminded of death occasionally so that we can appreciate life and reminds us to prepare for the afterlife (depending on your own belief and religion). But since the COVID-19 Pandemic and death is all around us, it is hard to forget how fragile and fleeting life is. Every time you hear the news you will always see the statistics, the newly deads in numbers. In this era, I think, what resonate with me the most is the term Memento Vivere which translate to “Remember you have to live”.
Memento Vivere, live life to the fullest. We only get to live this life for a short while so spend it with what is profoundly important. Live life, love and show love. Work less and spend more time with family. Play catch with your little boy or have that imaginary tea party with your little princess and go ahead take a bite on that non low-fat cupcake you are drooling about.
REFERENCES:
Daily Stoic. 2021. History of Memento Mori. Retrieve from the URL: https://dailystoic.com/history-of-memento-mori/
Wikipedia. 17 February 2021. Day of the Dead. Retrieve from the URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead
Brett & Katre McKay. 26 October 2020. Memento Mori: Art to Help You Meditate on Death and Make you a Better Man. Retrieve from the URL: https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/memento-mori-art/#:~:text=Memento%20mori%20is%20Latin%20for,as%20he%20paraded%20though%20town.&text=Remember%20that%20you%20will%20die,Remember%20that%20you%20will%20die.
Shinjuku Japanese Language Institute. 25 February 2020. Hanami. Cherry Blossoms in Japan: More than Just a Season. Retrieve from the URL: https://www.sng.ac.jp/en/sng-news/hanami-cherry-blossoms-japan-just-season/
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