Memento mori

The scene can read as a non-graphic symbolic theme reflecting on life's finitude.

Visual traits

• life's finitude
• mortality
• non-graphic symbolism

Expected changes

• The scene is more likely to read as a symbolic theme reflecting on life's finitude.

Definition

Memento mori is a non-graphic symbolic theme that evokes mortality and the finitude of life. It does not determine a body, blood, self-harm, a particular religion or culture, or a specific motif such as a skeleton, clock, or flower.

In more detail

It concerns a symbolic theme for reflecting on life's finitude and the inevitability of death. It does not require direct depiction of death or injury, and this theme alone does not represent a particular religion, culture, living faith, or conventional image tradition.

Includes

• A non-graphic symbolic theme that evokes mortality and the finitude of life

Excludes

• A body, blood, self-harm, a particular religion or culture, or a specific motif such as a skeleton, clock, or flower

What this does not imply

• A body, blood, self-harm, a particular religion or culture, or a specific motif such as a skeleton, clock, or flower

Variability

How symbolism is expressed, subjects, setting, color, lighting, and concrete motifs can be adjusted separately.

Usage

• Specify only a symbolic theme of life's finitude without adding graphic content or a particular faith

Distinguish similar expressions

• Specify concrete motifs, religion, culture, people, or setting separately only when needed

Typical uses

• Compose scenes containing people, animals, unoccupied spaces, or landscapes as symbolic reflections on life's finitude

Possible failure modes

• The result becomes graphic through a body, blood, or self-harm
• A particular religion or culture is represented without support
• A skeleton, clock, or other motif is added as a required symbol