Ancient Wisdom Atlas

Motif

Banquet memento mori object

banquet_memento_mori_object

A motif of the Death, Rebirth, and Transformation family. Every row below is a tagged passage; each rests on a quote in its source text.

2 occurrences

1 traditions


egyptian

  • Legends of the Gods: The Egyptian Texts, edited with Translations I.--INCANTATIONS AGAINST REPTILES AND NOXIOUS CREATURES IN GENERAL. / ANOTHER CHAPTER. / II.--THE NARRATIVE OF ISIS. / THE HISTORY OF ISIS AND OSIRIS,; lines 5717-5799 confidence: high

    The passage reports competing explanations of Maneros, Palaestinus, and Pelusius, and explains the skeleton in a box at feasts as a reminder of mortality.

    The skeleton displayed in a box at feasts is explained as a reminder to guests of their mortality and an encouragement to enjoy the feast.

    read in the book
  • The Gods of the Egyptians; or, Studies in Egyptian Mythology, Volume II CHAPTER XI / ISIS AND OSIRIS 187 / ISIS AND OSIRIS 189 / ISIS AND OSIRIS 191; lines 11076-11161 confidence: high

    A human skeleton in a box is carried among banquet guests; an explanation says it reminds them of mortality and urges enjoyment of present goods rather than representing Osiris' misfortunes.

    A human skeleton in a box is shown to banquet guests to remind them of mortality and encourage enjoyment of present goods.

    read in the book