The Art of Dying: How 'The Triumph of Death' and Ancient Myths Illuminate Our End
The Art of Dying: How 'The Triumph of Death' and Ancient Myths Illuminate Our End
'The Triumph of Death' and the Age-Old Myths That Illuminate Our Ending
Opening an email or this webpage about death might seem, at first glance, like the last thing you'd want to do. I understand the hesitation—why plunge into a topic so somber it's practically taboo?
But, if you accompany me for just a few paragraphs, I promise to offer a different perspective.
The Importance of Addressing Mortality
My reasoning is straightforward: in a world where truth is as subjective as it is varied, shaped by our consciousness, beliefs, and social contexts, death stands out as the great equalizer. The undeniable certainty of our end (and our life, for that matter), and the grief accompanying the loss of others, are perhaps the only universal truths we share.
Growing up in a Catholic country and household, death was always enveloped in an aura of sorrow, sadness, and depression. Personally, I couldn’t find consolation in the idea of an afterlife, as the stories never quite resonated with me as truth.
Death has been a constant, shadowy companion in my life, profoundly shaping my worldview.
To provide some context. I endured the loss of my great-grandfather at the tender age of 5.
At 15, I faced my father's death—admittedly, with few regrets.
The following year, my grandmother, who had been a maternal figure throughout my childhood, passed away. Her absence is a void that still echoes daily in my thoughts, pushing me to live in a manner that honors her memory.
In my early 20s, shortly after relocating to Ireland, a tragic car accident took my best friend, a funeral I was regrettably unable to attend.
Then, in my early 30s, my grandpa passed away, his dementia having long since erased his recognition of me.
These early encounters with the loss of family and friends gradually reshaped my perspective and approach towards death. Rather than becoming desensitized, I've learned to view our final days as opportunities to celebrate life, not merely mourn its passing.
I dream of my own farewell in the spirit of Shane McGowan's: an event filled with laughter, surrounded by great music, where friends and family gather in a pub to honour my journey, although on a more modest scale than Shane's, the essence of this celebration would mirror that sentiment.
Given this personal backdrop, coupled with a rekindled passion for myths and extensive explorations with my wife into the anthropological nuances of how different cultures embrace death rituals, I've come to perceive death not just as an inevitable end, but as a vibrant mosaic, intricately pieced together with Art, Myth, Legend, and History.
In short, death is a lens through which we can learn as much about how we live as about the finality we all face.
'The Triumph of Death' by Pieter Bruegel the Elder.
From the plethora of art I've encountered in my life where the subject is Death in a broader sense, "The Triumph of Death" stands out significantly in my memory.
"The Triumph of Death" is a 16th-century masterpiece by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, bursting with intricate details and dark symbolism that reflect the artist's insights into human mortality and the pervasive nature of death.
This painting is part of the permanent collection at El Prado, which I had the privilege of visiting multiple times.
My preference for paintings leans towards works from the 15th and 16th centuries, known for their incredible detail and rich symbolism, like those by Hieronymus Bosch. These paintings captivate me, drawing me into a deep analysis and revealing new details with each viewing.
Each visit to these artworks offers a fresh experience, allowing me to delve deeper into a convoluted period in Western history and uncover mythologies and symbols previously unknown to me.
Thanks to the advent of the Web, I can immerse myself in these artworks and explore the captivating tales they tell, all from centuries ago.
A heartfelt thank you to Tim Berners-Lee. The world truly does not give you enough credit.
A Feast of Symbolism
The richness of 'The Triumph of Death' is vast; viewing it in person can be overwhelming due to the sheer amount of action and detail within the frame.
To fully appreciate and dissect this masterpiece, let's delve into its composition, highlighting the myths and allegorical elements embedded on it:
The Dance of Death: A common theme in medieval literature, symbolizing death's universality and the inevitability of mortality. This theme is depicted through the portrayal of skeletons wreaking havoc on the living, emphasizing the fragility of life.
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: The painting includes four horses ridden by skeletons, likely alluding to the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, representing conquest, war, famine, and death.
Greek Mythology: Three women depicted in the painting are suggested to represent Lachesis, Clotho, and Atropos (Morai) the Greek goddesses of fate who determine the length and end of mortal lives. More on this later in the post.
The Black Death: The painting captures the devastation caused by the Black Death (1346–1353), one of the deadliest pandemics in human history. It symbolizes mass suffering and mortality during this period.
Christian Symbolism: The painting incorporates Christian symbols such as crosses, bells, and references to biblical themes like judgment day and salvation.
Social Hierarchy: The artwork portrays people from different social backgrounds being taken by death indiscriminately, emphasizing that death spares no one regardless of their status or wealth.
Futility of Escape: The futile attempts to escape death depicted in the painting symbolize the universality and inevitability of death, highlighting the transient nature of human life.
Transformation and Progress: The painting reflects on humanity's progress in combating diseases like plague over time, showcasing how advancements in science and technology have transformed our ability to fight against communicable diseases.
Skeleton Armies: The depiction of skeletons as an organized force of destruction can be seen as an allegorical representation. It symbolizes death’s indiscriminate power and inevitability.
Allegory of the Wheel of Fortune: Some interpretations suggest elements of the painting allude to the Wheel of Fortune, a concept from ancient Roman mythology that signifies the unpredictable nature of fate. This allegory reflects on the highs and lows of human life and how quickly one's fortune can change, leading to downfall and death.
Moirai, an Ancient Narrative
Within “The Triumph of Death” lies a narrative that stretches back more than 5000 years(!), encompassing traditions, myths, folklore, and art.
Let’s zoom in on the depiction of The Moirai, also known as the Fates in Greek mythology, a trio of deities governing the life and death of every being and how this myth, has deeper roots in our shared history:
Evidence suggests Minoan culture (2700-1450 BC) - venerated goddesses associated with birth, life, and death, possibly laying the groundwork for the later development of the Fates.
Norns (Norse Mythology): Similar to the Moirai, the Norns are three female beings who determine the fate of gods and men. Urd (past), Verdandi (present), and Skuld (future) dwell by the Well of Urd beneath the World Tree, Yggdrasil, weaving the fate of all beings.
Parcae (Roman Mythology): The Roman equivalent of the Greek Moirai, consisting of Nona, Decima, and Morta. They also spin, measure, and cut the threads of life, overseeing the destinies of individuals from birth to death.
Fates (Slavic Mythology): In Slavic mythology, the Sudice (known by various names across Slavic countries) are often depicted as three old women who govern a person's destiny and lifespan, similar to the Moirai and Norns.
Moirai's equivalents in Egyptian Mythology: Though not a direct parallel in terms of a trio of fate goddesses, Egyptian mythology features deities concerned with life and death, such as the god Anubis, who oversees the weighing of the heart in the afterlife, determining the soul's fate.
Three Fates of Baltic Mythology (Lithuania and Latvia): Often depicted as three sisters or a threefold goddess who determine the course of a human's life, very similar in function to the Moirai.
Destiny Goddesses in Hindu Mythology: While not a direct trio, Hindu mythology features various deities associated with fate and destiny, such as Yama, the god of death, who determines the fate of souls in the afterlife, and the concept of Karma, which dictates destiny based on one's actions.
The Weird Sisters (Anglo-Saxon Mythology): Often associated with fate and destiny, these beings (related to the concept of Wyrd) weave the destinies of men. While not directly analogous to the Moirai, they represent a similar concept of controlling human fate.
Atropos equivalents in Mayan Mythology: The Mayans believed in the existence of gods associated with birth and death, such as Ixchel, the goddess of childbirth, and Ah Puch, the god of death, who had roles in determining the lifespans and destinies of individuals.
Personally, I find it both thrilling and fascinating how, despite vast differences in time and geography, we encounter similar themes in myths, legends, and deities across cultures.
It's as if these stories are part of a universal playlist, echoing through ages and borders. Comparative mythology acts as the DJ, mixing and matching these tales to highlight recurring motifs.
Why do these parallels exist? Here are some factors:
Human Universality: Some myths tackle big questions and experiences that all of us, regardless of where we're from, can't help but wonder about. Think creation stories, epic battles between gods, or the tale of the first humans. These are themes that resonate on a global level.
Cultural Diffusion: Ideas and stories love to travel. Through cultural exchange, stories from one corner of the world find their way to another, picking up local flavors but keeping the core plot. This is how similar myths pop up in places miles apart.
Archetypes and Collective Unconscious: Carl Jung talked about archetypes - basic types of stories and characters that live in our collective subconscious. These archetypes shape myths worldwide, explaining why different cultures have such similar tales.
Historical Interactions: When cultures meet, through trade or conquest, they swap stories. This mingling of myths leads to shared themes and narratives.
Common Human Experiences: At their heart, myths reflect our common fears, hopes, and values. So, it's no surprise that different cultures come up with similar stories to express these universal emotions.
My takeaways
This exploration into death, through the lenses of art, mythology, and personal experience, reveals much about the human condition.
My journey, marked by personal losses, has led me to an understanding and appreciation of life's fleeting beauty using death as a vehicle.
By examining how cultures across time have commemorated, feared, and conceptualized death, we can uncover more about our own lives and the shared human experience.
It's a reminder of the things that connect us, across cultures and through time. A testament to the power of stories to convey the most profound truths about who we are.
As I went through this exploration, I found that art, mythology, and personal stories serve not only as mirrors reflecting our fears and hopes but also as windows into the ways others have navigated the complexities of existence.
This understanding fosters empathy (and we need more of this than ever), connecting us to the countless generations who have also sought meaning in the face of mortality.
Each culture's myths and rituals around death, from the Moirai to the artistic renditions of Pieter Bruegel the Elder, offer unique insights into the collective human psyche, revealing how our ancestors made sense of the world around them.
In engaging with these stories, we're reminded that, though the characters and settings may differ, the underlying narratives echo our own struggles and triumphs.
They provide a sense of continuity, linking us to the past and offering guidance for the future. This connection across time and space highlights the enduring nature of our search for understanding, belonging, and meaning.
This post, above all, it’s a call to acknowledge the rich history of human experience, woven through with threads of loss and celebration, sorrow and joy, endings and beginnings.