Memento Mori tattoo: history and meaning. Phrases for tattoos in Latin (with translation) Momento sea tattoo beautiful

Currently, tattoos in the form of various inscriptions are becoming quite popular. Considering the capabilities of modern masters, absolutely any saying can be applied to your body so that few people will understand its meaning. The thing is that there are special fonts that allow you to turn letters into real works of art. However, in most cases, people want the inscription on their body to be easy to read in order to convey their message to others. Thus, the Memento Mori tattoo occupies one of the leading positions in the ranking of the most popular tattoos with inscriptions.

Story

This phrase has a very rich history. It was first uttered back in the days of Ancient Rome. One day the military leader was returning home after an important victory. At this time, one of his slaves followed him and repeated this phrase so that the military leader would not elevate himself above everyone else. Even despite his unprecedented successes, he still remained a mere mortal, powerless in the face of death.

This phrase was also popular among a certain number of monks in the 17th century. Members of an order called the Brothers of Death used the phrase memento mori as a greeting to each other.

Modern meaning

Gradually, the original meaning of this catchphrase began to be forgotten. Today, there are a lot of Memento Mori tattoo wearers who know nothing about this historical background. The modern meaning of this tattoo has two interpretations:

1. Nothing lasts forever in this world.
2. Everything has long been predetermined by higher powers.

That is why such an inscription can be found among people who want to emphasize the frailty of existence and the inability of man to change his destiny.

Thus, if you want to get this inscription, you can calmly look at a photo of the Memento Mori tattoo from any artist and choose the option that will suit you.

Fans of tattoo art often prefer to encrypt their mottos and life principles in tattoo inscriptions in Latin. It is an elegant, melodic language, one of the most ancient written Indo-European languages.

Beautiful phrases in Latin in tattoos

On the hands of this guy are two catchphrases in Latin: “ Fac fideli sis fidelis", which translates to "Be faithful to the one who is faithful (to you)" and " Fortunam suam quisque parat- “Everyone finds his own happiness” or “Everyone finds his own destiny.”

The tattoo reads in a beautiful font: “ Primus inter pares", which translates as "First among equals."

« Carpe diem" - the famous winged Latin expression meaning “Live in the present”, “Seize the moment.”

« Vivere militate est" - a statement by Seneca, which is translated as “To live is to fight.”

Below are quotes and phrases in Latin that are suitable for use in tattoos.

Latin. Tattoo inscriptions with translation

Audaces fortuna juvat (Fortune favors the brave)
Cave! (Beware!)
Contra spem spero (I hope without hope)
Cum deo (With God)
Debellare superbos (Suppress pride)
Dictum factum (What is said is done)
Errare humanum est (To err is human)
Est quaedam flere voluptas (There is pleasure in tears)
Ex voto (By vow)
Faciam ut mei memineris (I will make you remember)
Fatum (Fate)
Fecit (Made)
Finis coronat opus (The end crowns the deed)
Fortes fortuna adjuvat (Fate helps the brave)
Gaudeamus igitur, juvenus dum sumus (Let's have fun while we're young)
Gutta cavat lapidem (A drop chisels a stone)
Haec fac ut felix vivas (Act in such a way as to live happily)
Hoc est in votis (That's what I want)
Homo homini lupus est (Man is a wolf to man)

Homo liber (Free man)
Homo res sacra (Man is a sacred thing)
Ignoti nulla cupido (What they don’t know, they don’t want)
In hac spe vivo (I live by this hope)
In vino veritas (Truth is in wine)
Juravi lingua, mentem injuratam gero (I swore with my tongue, but not with my thought)
Jus vitae ac necis (Right to control life and death)
Magna res est amor (The great thing is love)
Malo mori quam foedari (Better death than dishonor)
Malum necessarium - necessarium (Necessary evil - inevitable)

This phrase is one of the most popular among tattoo lovers:

Memento mori (Remember death)

Memento quod est homo (Remember that you are human)
Me quoque fata regunt (I too submit to fate)
Mortem effugere nemo potest (No one can escape death)
Ne cede malis (I don’t lose heart in misfortune)
Nil inultum remanebit (Nothing will remain unavenged)
Noli me tangere (Don't touch me)
Oderint, dum metuant (Let them hate, as long as they are afraid)
Omnia mea mecum porto (I carry everything I own with me)
Omnia vanitas (Everything is vanity)
Per aspera ad astra (Through thorns to the stars)
Pisces natare oportet (The fish needs to swim)
Potius sero quam nunquam (Better late than never)
Procul negotis (Get out of trouble)
Qui sine peccato est (He who is without sin)
Quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi (What is allowed to Jupiter is not allowed to the bull)
Quod principi placuit, legis habet vigorem (Whatever the ruler pleases is the law)
Recuiescit in pace (Rest in peace)
Sic itur ad astra (So they go to the stars)
Sic volo (That's how I want it)
Silentium (Silence)
Supremum vale (Last forgiveness)
Suum quique (To each his own)
Trahit sua quemque voluptas (Everyone is attracted by his passion)
Tu ne cede malis, sed contra audentior ito (Do not submit to trouble, but boldly go towards it)
Ubi bene, ibi patria (Where it is good, there is the homeland).
Unam in armis salutem (The only salvation is in the struggle)
Vale et me ama (Farewell and love me)
Veni, vidi, vici (I came, I saw, I conquered)
Via sacra (Holy Way)
Vita sene libertate nihil (Life without freedom is nothing)
Vivere militare est (To live is to fight)

0 Today, in the bustle of everyday life, we have completely forgotten that every person has a soul, feelings, emotions, hopes and aspirations. Although modern man with his " consumerism"most resembles a piece of meat, devouring everything in its path. In earlier times, this was not so noticeable, but even then, for some, it was obvious. Therefore, the ancient philosophers tried to discuss this topic in their works, trying to convey their message to ordinary people point of view. Today we will talk about an old catchphrase that everyone living under this Sun should know, or rather correctly interpret. As you guessed, we will now talk about a wise saying, this. Memento Mori, you can find out the translation a little below.
However, before I continue, I would like to point you to a couple of other educational publications of ours on the subject of floorboards and phraseological units. For example, what does it mean “Let’s dot the I’s”; how to understand If the stars light up, it means someone needs it; the meaning of the expression What we have we do not keep, but when we lose it we cry; translation of SeLyaVi, etc.
So let's continue What does Memento Mori mean? in Russian? This phrase was borrowed from the Latin language " mementō morī", which can be translated as " Remember that you have to die"; "remember that you are mortal"; "remember death".

Memento Mori- this Latin expression does not allow people to forget that they are mortal, and that each of us will have to leave this mortal world.

Bulgakov M. A. "The Master and Margarita".

Usually this phraseological unit is used in an allegorical sense, when they want to warn and remind people that in life there are not only parties, registrations, drinking and other entertainment. In addition, you shouldn’t worry about trifles, because in the end, we will all come to a common denominator, and we will find ourselves two meters below ground level.

In Ancient Rome, this phrase began to be uttered for generals and military leaders who were returning home with victory. These high-ranking people were placed behind their backs by a slave, who periodically reminded them that despite the fact that the people idolize him and all the women are crazy about him, he still remains a mere mortal. It is believed that the full phrase sounded like "Respice post te! Hominem te memento!", which can be translated as "Look behind you! Don't forget that you are only human!"

Memento Mori- this phrase was used when greeting members of the Trappist Order, practically unknown in our time (not to be confused with the Templars)

In addition, this greeting was used in their everyday communication by the so-called Brothers of Death, French hermit monks from the Order of St. Paul (1620 - 1633).

It is worth remembering that in the Middle Ages there was a real fashion for paraphernalia associated with death. Perhaps this is due to the fact that at that time in Europe " fell down"a huge number of misfortunes and troubles. For example, the plague from Asia; the Little Ice Age, when even the Black Sea froze, and the associated poor harvests; sexually transmitted diseases from America, etc. Therefore, when a person had a huge choice of what to die from, life was perceived more vividly and vividly. In this regard, a variety of keychains and other accessories, in the form of coffins, skulls, skeletons, were in good demand among traders. They were not so much a tribute to fashion as they served as a reminder of the frailty of existence and the inevitable end of all things. Later, from this strange fashion, the practice of mourning jewelry was formed, which was worn, thus expressing grief for a close relative or friend.

After reading this informative article, you learned meaning of Memento Mori translation, and now you can tell in more detail what this sad statement means.

Surprisingly, nowadays death tattoos are on the list of the most popular subjects ordered in tattoo parlors around the world. At the same time, the image itself is not always perceived negatively or causes fear.

There are male and female tattoos, subcultural and religious. Some have a hidden meaning, others are made simply for beauty, and do not carry any message or special energy.

Death angel tattoos are popular in certain circles. They depict Azrael (Malyaku l-maut among the Arabs). In the classical tradition of the Abrahamic religions there is no such separate character with a scythe. Therefore, the guide to the afterlife is an angel. Some movements are of the opinion that he is a messenger of God, others identify him with dark forces.

For each branch of religion, people, culture, the meaning of the angel of death tattoo can be separate. Modern traditions often depict him as an old man, and the Grim Reaper tattoo is also often identified with him. It is interesting that the angel responsible for “afterlife matters” is even in the traditional beliefs of the Chuvash people. There they call him Esrel. The references to Judaism are obvious, and don't be surprised by them. The ancestors of modern Chuvash lived next to the Khazars, who converted to Judaism.

In Christian countries, people often get tattoos of the seven deadly sins. All vices can be depicted, or one specific one that a person identifies with himself. Usually this is a person whose image demonstrates some quality recognized as a sin in Christianity:

1. pride;
2. greed;
3. envy;
4. anger;
5. lust;
6. gluttony;
7. laziness or despondency.

Tattoos “remember death” in Latin are also very popular. The inscription Memento mori has a long history. It was first mentioned in Ancient Rome. When the military leader returned to his homeland with victory, a slave walked behind him, periodically reminding him that, despite his successes, he was just a mere mortal. In the 17th century, this catchphrase became the greeting of the monks of the Order of St. Pavel. They were called the Brothers of Death.

Gradually, the original meaning of the phrase was forgotten, and in the form of a tattoo it meant that our existence on earth is a temporary phenomenon. You should remember this under any circumstances.

Death God Tattoos

If you are a fan of ancient Egyptian mysticism and admire their pantheon, you will definitely like the Anubis god of death tattoo. A deity depicted with the head of a jackal/dog and a human body. He holds an ankh in one hand and a staff in the other. He is both a guide to the afterlife and one of the judges for human souls.

Greek mythology gave us the god Thanatos. He is the patron of everything connected with the “other world”, and the brother of Hypnos, the god of sleep. Some people get a tattoo of both brothers to show how fine the line is between sleep and the process of dying of the physical body.

The name Hades (Hades) is also associated with the world of the dead. He is the brother of Zeus and Poseidon. Although this god does not kill anyone, he guards the kingdom of the dead, named after him. His image is also popular in the art of tattooing, although it is inferior to its Egyptian and Greek “colleagues”.

The Japanese in modern culture have a separate concept of Shinigami deities. Some authors say that there is only one god of death, others write that there are many of them. With the popularization of Japanese culture, similar tattoos began to be done far beyond the borders of this country and Asia in general. The most popular Shinigami is Ryuk, a character from the manga, anime and Death Note films.

The tattoos chosen by fans of Nordic culture are interesting. Here the name of the goddess Hel is associated with the world of souls. Her parents are the cunning god Loki and a certain giantess Angrboda. It is believed that when Ragnarok comes, Hel will march against the Aesir, leading hordes of the dead. This plot is often used in the plots of not only books, but also designs for tattoos with death.

There are many goddesses who are responsible for the dead, or who rule the afterlife. One of the key ones is Mara Morana, aka the Celtic Morrigan. In Ireland, old beliefs are still strong to this day, and people often get tattoos of this goddess.

Grim Reaper. History of the image and tattoo

Nowadays, a death grim tattoo can have different meanings. In many ways, it depends on the region of residence, a person’s religion, and his belonging to certain subcultures. We all understand that a fan of heavy music hardly wants to actually go to hell while listening to Highway to Hell. Accordingly, the death with a scythe tattoo is not associated with his suicidal tendencies. In general, men's tattoos are often made deliberately harsh and brutal, demonstrating the inner strength and courage of a person, his fearlessness in the face of death, which is inevitable for everyone.

The Grim Reaper tattoo has a completely logical meaning in the zone. More precisely, there can be three of them:

• Remember death/memento more;
• The prisoner's contempt for death. These beliefs are extremely popular in the prison/camp environment;
• The murder he committed. Man considers himself an instrument of heaven, a reaper, or his scythe.

In the culture of European peoples, there is an image of a bony creature in a cape with a hood. He is commonly called the grim reaper. The Slavs also have similar images, although they had deities responsible for sending the soul to the world of the dead/heaven/hell/purgatory and their analogues. At the same time, one should distinguish between those who take souls, guides to the afterlife, and guardians of the underworld who do not rise above.

There are images in modern culture that are not negative. For example, writer Terry Pratchett dedicated an entire series to the reaper, showing that he does not kill anyone, but only does his job, delivering people who have died for various reasons to the afterlife.

If you see a Mexican with a death with a scythe tattoo on his arm, it is likely that he is somehow connected with the cult of Santa Muerte. The unique interweaving of ancient beliefs and Christianity led to the emergence of such a hybrid religion and the days of the dead. Interestingly, research has proven that the cult has nothing to do with black magic and does not oppose the Catholic Church.

Drawing death with a scythe on his back has become the norm for many poor Mexicans. They are convinced that the reaper hears their prayers and can even grant their wishes. This drawing looks simple - a skeleton in a woman’s dress, with its head covered. Sometimes they hold scales in their hands, symbolizing the judgment of the human soul.

Today, the cult and the tattoos associated with it have long ceased to be part of exclusively Mexican culture. Nowadays, residents of Europe and the USA adhere to such beliefs, incl. not having Latin American roots.

In modern tattoo art, many interesting designs are associated with the cult of Santa Muerte. Some make tattoos directly on the face - black circles around the eyes, a black tip of the nose, outlines of teeth under the skin and other details that hint that the person is actually dead. Also, similar images are often tattooed on the body.

Santa Muerte interesting sketches

Harry Potter Universe

For fans of the Harry Potter series, completely different characters and events are associated with death. The first option is the Deathly Hallows tattoo - a special symbol representing the elder wand, the resurrection stone and the invisibility cloak. All three items, considered legends, ended up in the hands of the characters in the story. Fans of Rowling's work often get tattoos with this simple but original sign.

Deathly Hallows tattoo, stylization

The same Potter lovers who have always been on the side of the dark lord, whose name cannot be spoken out loud, prefer to order a symbol of the opponents of Potter and his friends. Today in the world there are many people on whose skin you can find tattoos of death eaters - the henchmen of the main villain. It represents a skull with a huge snake crawling out of its mouth.

Original sketches and stories. Styles and techniques of death tattoos

People have different attitudes towards the death and the characters associated with this process, from worship to rejection. For example, the Swedish monarch Charles XV had a tattoo of Death to Kings on his arm. Very original for a ruler. Are you wondering how it happened that the king had such a tattoo? It's very simple - this monarch was a Frenchman who served in the army during the time of Napoleon Bonaparte.

During the wars, he rose to the rank of marshal, and was remembered for his excellent attitude towards captured Swedes. They were so amazed by the Frenchman’s generosity that they invited him to change his confession and become their crown prince. And so it happened. As a result, the secret opponent of the monarchy himself ascended the throne. In memory of him, many people make a similar inscription on their wrist or forearm. Sometimes it is written on a ribbon wrapped around the arm, or next to the crown. The sketch also looks great - a skull with a crown and the mentioned words.

Another famous inscription is the tattoo of victory, or death. It was used in different variations by revolutionaries in Spain, Cuba and other countries. Supporters of General Franco used the slogan “Freedom or Death.” "Victory or Death" is the title of one of the episodes of Game of Thrones.

There is also a faithful to death tattoo. Usually this means loyalty to the lord, king, homeland, and not to a partner. But the inscription can be interpreted in different ways.

Now the death tattoo has acquired too subcultural meaning. It is exploited without understanding its real meaning, or by inventing something new. This is due to books, films, TV series, and many new cults. For example, the horsemen of the Apocalypse, led by Death on a pale horse, were turned into some kind of fantasy characters, and in the series “Supernatural” the main reaper was killed with his own weapon. However, it is worth giving credit to the authors - in their version this character is not scary, but rather neutral.

Often people order a death tattoo with a watch - pocket or hourglass. Essentially, this is the same “memento mori”, only without the inscription. Each person is allotted exactly as much as the higher powers decide. However, materialists hold a different point of view.

However, there are those who prefer old school and traditional. These areas of tattoo art do not lose popularity even in the 21st century.

The image of death on the back is often drawn from the waist up, showing bony arms with fingers adorned with massive rings. A braid is not always a necessary part of a death tattoo. But if it is the Grim Reaper (Grim Reaper) that is depicted, then she, or the sickle, is present.

Interestingly, the immortality tattoo looks like a skull with a snake crawling out of its eye socket. The reptile in this context means wisdom and knowledge that persist even after the death of its individual carriers. The phoenix bird is also considered a symbol of eternal life. The Chinese believed that the butterfly symbolizes immortality. A very unexpected choice, given the transience of her life in our world.

There are many very interesting and atmospheric photos of death tattoos on the Internet. Take a look and explore the options. Perhaps one of them will appeal to you and inspire you. However, we recommend ordering death tattoo designs individually. For example, if you need to make death on the shoulder or forearm, voluminous black and white images with good detail will look best.

Sketches

Choose a design for yourself and get a tattoo, unless of course you are afraid.