Below is a glossary article post in the category M which discusses the explanation of the meaning, definition and meaning of the acronym, term, jargon, or termonology of Memento Mori based on summaries from various types of sources (references) that are relevant, related, and trustworthy.
Understanding Memento Mori
So, what is actually meant by Memento Mori?
Mori’s memory is a work of art designed to remind viewers about their deaths and short and fragility of human life.
Explanation of Memento Mori
Memento Mori is a Latin phrase which means ‘Remember you must die’. Basic paintings of Mori’s memories will be a portrait of the skull but another symbol commonly found is glasses or clocks, candles that are extinguished or gutters, fruit, and flowers.
Related to the picture of Mori’s memento is vanity still alive. In addition to the symbols of death, this may include other symbols such as musical instruments, wine and books to remind us explicitly about arrogance (in the sense of worthless) about pleasure and worldly goods. This term originally originated from the opening line of the book of preachers in the Bible: ‘Pride, Science, Science The Preacher, Vanity of Vanities, All Is Vanity.’
The picture of vanity and memento Mori became popular in the seventeenth century, in the religious era when almost all believe that life on earth is only a preparation for the hereafter. However, modern artists continue to explore this genre.
Moreover, as we have seen above, this term is one of a collection of dictionaries, acronyms, terms, jargon, or terminology in the field of arts that begins with an alphabet or prefix M, as well as terms associated with M.
Meaning of Memento Mori in the English, Indonesian (Including Javanese and Sundanese), and Malaysian Translation Dictionary
Apart from discussing the meaning and discussion of the definition, to deepen it further, here we also need to know what the word means in the English, Indonesian (including Javanese and Sundanese) translation dictionaries, as well as Malaysia (Malay).
For easy understanding, in this glossary post, we will explain it in the form of a list of translations of terms from various types of languages as follows:
- English; Terminology = Memento Mori.
- Indonesian (including Javanese and Sundanese translations); Terminology = Memento Mori (Indonesian), Memento Mori (Java), and Miyo Mori in Sundanese.
- Malaysian; Terminology = Memento Mori.
Closing
OK, above there is the discussion and explanation of what is the meaning of Memento Mori.
Hopefully this article post that we have shared can be useful and can broaden our insight and literacy, especially in Art.
See also ours other articles related to the field of Art on the main blog page of our website.
Footnotes
This glossary post was created by referring to the conclusions of the meaning of definitions from various authoritative relevant references such as Wikipedia, Britannica and several other sources such as MoMA, Tate, ModernArts, and so on. This word is one of a collection of terminology in the field of Art which begins with the alphabet or prefix M. This article wasupdated in Dec of 2025.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Art
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creativity
- https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?search=memento-mori
- https://www.britannica.com/search?query=memento-mori
- View example images of memento-mori through Google here
- View example images of memento-mori on Bing here
- View example images of memento-mori on Yandex here
