This is a 1635 German engraving, as part of the Danse
Macabre(The Dance of Death) series. It
features a standing, smiling skeleton aiming a crossbow, an hour glass, a
broken arrow on the ground and another arrow in a quiver. It was placed in such
a position that the arrow locked into the crossbow was directly pointed to the
viewer. The inscription in French was a lyric that would translate in part as:
My arrow (I promise you) spares no one
You will all dance the ballet of which I sing
Emperor, your sword won't
help you out
Sceptre and crowns are worthless here
I've taken you by the hand
For you must come to my dance
It meant that as you dance
and act on the theater of the world know that death is always smiling at you and
at any time the arrow will be launched to your direction.
The engraving was placed in various places to
serve as a reminder of people’s mortality and of the fragility of their lives and how vain were the glories
of earthly life. It was intended to cause some humility in people, to curb selfish
and toxic ambitions, to inspire people to choose wisely between doing the wrong
thing to get ahead and the quiet thing that is right in their hearts.
In most African culture, we
do not talk about death. It is considered to bring bad omen. But the reality
is; death has been the closest human companion. Since the humanity idea begun
living on earth, Kingdoms and empires have risen and fallen, generations after
generations have come and gone, species have existed and became extinct,
cultures have been founded and ended, wealth and riches have been amasses and squandered,
civilizations emerged and became obsolete; many things have come and gone
regardless of their hype and might; but death has remain the constant factor
all along. So, we cannot hide the truth under the shadow of our fears.
The arrow is always ready
and waits for your time to be declared by the hourglass and it will never miss,
you are a sure target. We can be so uncertain about many things in this world
but our death is so certain. It never cares if you are young or old, rich or
poor, educated or uneducated, wise or foolish, King or laborer, the pope or the
villain your time is your time. Death is the ultimate equalizer no matter a person’s
station in life. And sadly nothing will pause or stop for a second to witness
your fall. Time will move on as if nothing happened, so will everything and
everyone. And soon you will be forgotten regardless of how beautiful your tomb
will be made, actually think of the giant pyramids of the Egyptian pharaohs who
were maybe the most powerful people of their time , not everyone know who they
were, we rely on historical speculations.
Our mortality is always looming and it’s a terrifying
thought. No matter how strong we are, how famous we will become, how many
acclamation we will receive, how good we feel, it turns out we’re just a pile
of bones, flesh and fluids inevitable to physical decay. That’s why this engraving from centuries ago is
very relevant today because it carries with it the true message to all humanity.
So today as you walk
around, what are you going to do about this terrifying fact? Are you
going to be haunted by the engraving? Are you going to cower in fear and assume
you are immortal? Or Will you
smile back to this grinning skeleton and tell it that you are aware, you were
born … to die. But in between you will make the most of it; that you will continuously
and tirelessly perform your duty- your good works. The choice is yours. The
archer is always ready and the hourglass counts the countdown.
(Photo Courtesy of British Museum)
