Memento Mori

Death Brought To Life

In his Meditations, Marcus Aurelius wrote, “You could leave life right now. Let that determine what you do and say and think.” This Stoic reflection on the impermanence of life is known as Memento Mori, which is Latin for “remember you will die.”

It’s a constant reminder not to take your time on earth for granted and not to worry about things beyond your control. It’s not, however, just a thought to keep in mind for the introspective person sitting pondering alone.

Day of the Dead

From 16th and 17th century European paintings to Tibetan masks to multi-day Mexican festivals, the practice manifests itself in many different ways across the world.

One of the most popular is the Day of the Dead festival, which is skilfully referenced by Don Winslow in his gripping novel The Power of the Dog:

“It’s the Day of the Dead. Big day in Mexico. The tradition goes back to Aztec times and honors the goddess Mictecacihuatl, “Lady of the Dead,” but the Spanish priests cleaned it up and moved it from midsummer to autumn to make it coincide with All Hallow’s Eve and All Souls’ Day.”

Winslow goes on to explain the Mexican relationship with mortality:

“The Mexicans, they don’t mind talking about death… They don’t try…