The Funny Thing About Death

“Because I could not stop for Death-

He kindly stopped for me-

The Carriage held but just Ourselves-

And Immortality”

 

  • Emily Dickinson

Cóiste Bodhar - Death Coach in Irish Folklore

(image from https://www.yourirish.com/folklore/coiste-bodhar). 

 

The concept of death is . . . unsettling, to say the least. Death is foreign to us. They are strange, and exist beyond the boundaries of our understanding. Of course, we all know what death is, and sense the unease that creeps into the cracks of our bones when its cold hand gets too close. Death is like walking into the dark without a lantern. Like boarding an ancient ship but you never learned how to sail. But why, I ask? Why does death exist at all? Or, I suppose the better question is, why does life exist at all? What cruel twist of fate is it for us to struggle to exist day after day, expending great amounts of energy to survive for another only for it to all end at an unspecified time? I suppose that this very question has been floating around in the minds of living things for eons. However, to conceptualize life, one must conceptualize death as well. Which brings me back to the true point of this blog post: the conceptualizations of death. 

In Dickinson's poem, Death is portrayed as a kindness. And in death, an immortality of sorts. Often, death is portrayed as a terrifying figure, a strange man from a strange place that will drag you away with them. However, in Dickinson’s mind, Death is a gentleman. The eternal ride in his carriage, past blurred shards of her life, is one or relaxation and content. Personally, I enjoy how Dickinson portrays the idea of death, as a leisurely ride for the rest of eternity. As good company for the improtal state of the post-mortem mind. Perhaps Death is a gentleman after all. 

The concepts of death, and how it is treated, vary from culture to culture, and from generation to generation. At the Fowler museum, though we were initially there to learn more about the quipu, a neighboring room contained effigies of death from around the world. In this room, a few of the many forms of death came together to exist as one, yet each existed within its own realm of tradition. Once more, death is portrayed differently by all civilizations, sometimes as a gentleman and sometimes as a monster. In America especially, the unknownness of death is feared. However, perhaps we can learn from the views others have on death to better ease our societies poorly played game of tag, where running from death gives us just a little more time. Perhaps we too can learn to await the carriage ride with ease. 

 

roman floor mosaic skeleton know thyself

(image from https://www.thecollector.com/death-in-ancient-rome/. It translates to know thyself) 

 

In Ancient Rome and Ancient Greece, death was connected to the god Hades (also known as Pluto). Hades, the king of the underworld and the riches of the earth, was “worshiped widely” along with other underworld related gods such as Persephone and Mercury (Hayward). Festivals and offerings for the gods were held in their honor and to earn their respects. Traditions in burials demonstrated social status and the right to cross the great River Styx. Death was celebrated along with the rest of the aspects of life. However, upon burial Romans continued to maintain the barrier between life and death, the thin line that must not be crossed. In order to maintain this burial, a boundary known as the pomerium (“behind the wall”) was created to distance the living from where the dead were buried (Encyclopedia Britannica). While death was considered a more accepted aspect of life, boundaries between realms were still created for the protection of both the living and the dead. 

Anubis, The Egyptian death god with dog head " facts, art & meaning "

(image from https://www.cleopatraegypttours.com/travel-guide/anubis-the-egyptian-god/

 

In another ancient civilization, Egypt, the jackal headed Anubis  was the god of death designed to guide spirits to the other world, Duat. His role was to weigh “the hearts of the deceased as judgment” for their actions in life (Cleopatra Egypt Tours). Hearts were weighed against the feather of Maat. Now, if there is one thing we all know about ancient Egypt, it is that the dead were treated with great reverence (especially if they were wealthy). The deceased were embalmed, and their brains and other organs were removed and placed into protective jars. Perhaps this effort was a sign of respect for the dead, as for a body to survive in the harsh desert conditions it required very little moisture,  Alternatively, perhaps this method and ideology surrounding death was a sign of respecting the gods and their control over the souls of the Egyptians. Once more, we see connections to death in civilizations that result in celebration and honor. 

Malagan Mask, New Ireland | Masks art, Tribal art, Inuit art

(insert image as https://www.pinterest.com/pin/216665432051508861/)

 

One of the more interesting exhibits the Fowler had to offer was its display of Papua New Guinea death masks, also known as malagan. Malagan were created to celebrate the immediate death of tribe members through ceremony. However, after the ceremony was complete the masks were left to decay (Caglayan). It was believed that at this point the soul had already departed from the world of the living, and therefore masks of the dead had no purpose tying the post-mortem person to the world of the living. However, as I was able to read about in the museum, many of these decaying masks were taken and sold by travelers and collectors alike. It is saddening to not see the history of so many amazing cultures, and to truly face the greed of mankind. I found this particular approach to death, which was often performed in New Ireland, to be the most interesting. The masks were incredibly elaborate and appear to be well crafted, but why craft something as detailed as this mask when after a single use the mask is retired forever? Were these for the exceptionally rich of the poor? Due to too much uncertainty about this time period and this location, I am unsure of the true logic behind these masks and their stories. 

Mario Moreno skull

(Image from https://www.mexican-folk-art-guide.com/papier-mache.html#.Ym_SfPPMK3I

Lastly, the other piece of art I found interesting was the paper matchéd skeletons for día de la muertos. These sculptures are life sized, but upon closer inspection one can see that the artist took their natural liberties as a painter in stride. The colors, facial expressions, and types of each of the statues captures the life the spirit of the figures may have once lived. Such sculptures are used to bring life and celebration on the day of the dead, a day of celebration and remembrance for many hispanic families. These depictions of the dead were similar to the Alebrijes, created by Pedro Linares as his “rebirth” (Folk Art Guide). Both are done in a traditional paper mache style, where layers upon layers of damp paper were added to produce the shapes and vibrance they are now. Hispanic culture appears to especially celebrate death and honor their family members who have passed away, giving us yet another interpretation on death and its being. 

The ways cultures connect to death continues to fascinate and amaze me. Each interpretation is so radically different and valuable that it is impossible to pick a favorite. Mankind has always sought the answers and guidance for what exactly “death”consisted of. I hope that in the near future America is also better able to address its views on death to create a more inclusive, community based environment.




 

Academy of American Poets. “Because I Could Not Stop for Death (479) by Emily Dickinson - Poems | Poets.org.” Poets.org, 2019, poets.org/poem/because-i-could-not-stop-death-479.

“Anubis, the Egyptian Death God with Dog Head " Facts, Art & Meaning ".” Egypt Tour Packages | Egypt Tours | Egypt Day Tours | Cruises in Egypt, 18 Apr. 2020, www.cleopatraegypttours.com/travel-guide/anubis-the-egyptian-god/.

“Egyptian Mummies.” Smithsonian Institution, www.si.edu/spotlight/ancient-egypt/mummies#:~:text=The%20methods%20of%20embalming%2C%20or.

“Mexican Papier Mache Art.” Copal, Mexican Folk Art at Its Best Online., www.mexican-folk-art-guide.com/papier-mache.html#.Ym_SyfPMITV. Accessed 2 May 2022.

“Pomerium | Sacred Ground, Ancient Rome.” Encyclopedia Britannica, www.britannica.com/topic/pomerium.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Anubis | Ancient Egyptian God.” Encyclopædia Britannica, 2019, www.britannica.com/topic/Anubis.