We are not eternal, even though we often live as if we are. In recent decades, in fact, our society has developed a real phobia of old age and death, which, far from making us happier, plunges us into frustration, pushing us to pursue unattainable goals. Centuries ago, the social approach was quite different. People were very aware of the Latin phrase "memento mori", which literally means "remember that you have to die". A reminder that could radically change our lives, in a good way.
What is the origin of the phrase “memento mori”?
According to the Galileo Galilei Institute of Turin, the origins of this phrase date back to Roman society, which had developed a particular sensitivity towards death and life. It is said that it derives from an ancient Roman custom: when a general returned to the city after a great victory over his enemies on the battlefield, he paraded through the streets on a golden chariot receiving the applause and cheers of the crowd.
However, achievements and praise could appeal to her "hubris" leading to a state of pride, arrogance and excess that made him develop an authentic delusion of omnipotence. To avoid this, a slave – precisely one of the humblest servants – had the task of reminding him of his human and mortal nature (limited and perishable) by whispering to him: “Respice post you. Hominem te memento”, which meant “Look back, remember you're a man”.
In the same sense, the phrase “memento mori” it was used to remind those great men that no matter their exploits and glories, the end would be the same for all. In this way, when a victorious general was celebrated in procession through the streets of the city, he was also reminded of his mortality to prevent him from indulging in excessive pride.
Remembering death to celebrate life
Said memo was not unique to the Romans. Many other civilizations did just that over time. In the 600s, for example, in the cloistered order of the Cistercian friars, they often repeated to each other the phrase “memento mori” and they even dug their graves a little every day to always keep in mind their death and not lose the meaning of life.
Although it may seem gloomy at first glance, the truth is that the phrase “memento mori” it is an invitation to reflect on the brevity of life and the vanity of human ambitions. Today's society does not like to think too much about death and prefers to live outside it because it considers it something too depressing or morbid for current sensibilities.
However, up until the XNUMXth century, remembering one's death was not something negative, but rather an encouragement to lead a virtuous, good, and meaningful life. Many works of art that can be found in churches, for example, also recall the theme of death to induce observers to meditate on the meaning of life.
In Danse Macabre, a genre that originated in the late Middle Ages but became popular during the Renaissance, skeletons impersonating death danced with people, regardless of class. In this way everyone, from peasants to bishops to emperors, was reminded that worldly enjoyments come to an end and everyone must die.
The hidden meaning of the sentence “memento mori”
The phrase "memento mori", often mistranslated with "remember that you will die", in reality it also has another meaning if analyzed in a more correct translation: "remember that you must die". The difference is subtle but important as it is not only a reminder of our own mortality but also an exhortation to prepare for that moment in life.
In fact it reminds us that we die a little every day, so we must begin to detach ourselves from all trivial things and worldly ambitions. That reminder helps us see pleasure and pain differently. It encourages us to leave our fears, worries and doubts behind. And it pushes us to get rid of the habits that prevent us from lightening the weight we carry.
It is no coincidence that the ancient Egyptians - a culture from which the Romans drew - had the tradition of weighing the heart in a psychostasis or balance. On the other plate was placed an ostrich feather, symbol of the goddess Maat. If the heart weighed more than the feather, it meant that person had died of guilt and she had done wrong, thus being eaten by Ammit, a mythological beast. Otherwise, it was understood that the deceased had led a righteous life and was ready to be reborn in the next world.
Remembering death encouraged separating the soul from the heaviness of the world and all the trappings it contains, such as endlessly putting off our goals, filling our days with urgent but unimportant things, or needlessly worrying about trivial matters.
Live the moment!
The growing trend in our culture is to deny death in order to live in the illusion that we can stay forever young and that our life goes on forever. Chasing that illusion often means engaging in a losing race against time, keeping the mind occupied with trivial matters, and chasing after objects that bring no real satisfaction.
In this context, remember the Latin phrase from time to time “memento mori” it can become a hymn to life. It encourages us to stop wasting our lives pursuing other people's goals, hoarding material possessions, or worrying about trivial matters. Ultimately, it can motivate us to take the first step to start living the way we truly want, so that at the end of the road we have no regrets. What memento mori really tells us is: live the moment!
Sources:
Zaffarano, GL (2011) Memento mori. Beyond Magazine; 1.
Ricasoli, C. (2016) Memento Mori' in Baroque Rome. Studies; 104(416): 456-467.
Admission “Memento mori” doesn't mean what you think, what does this ancient Latin phrase bring to your life? was published first in Corner of Psychology.
