Daily dose of Death: What are Memento Mori?

Skulls are a theme which run through many of my jewellery designs, and sorry to broach this, but you're going to die, I'm going to die, and that's what Memento Mori is about. Now let me explain why this isn't a bad thing...

The Roman poet Horace wrote "Remember that you are mortal, so seize the day." Death is coming, you need to start living your best life now and take joy in it. In effect YOLO, many generations prior to young people thinking they'd discovered a novel new idea.  (I really do find YOLO an inelegant acronym). An awareness of your own mortality was intended to bring a focus on the moment, and it wasn't about partying all the time, but rather how you should work in each moment to make a better life, and enjoy those steps.

Time rolled on, and the Memento Mori concept became associated with how fragile and fleeting earthly pleasures are, and that you should  instead focus on being virtuous, to ensure a good afterlife. Thanks Medieval Christian Europe for changing things from "savour the moment" to  "shouldn't you stop enjoying yourself and instead be virtuous right now?"

There's been a global rise in popularity over recent years of imagery associated with  Mexican festival Day of the Dead, and a growing appreciation "dark illustration"; art often inspired by historic and  tattoo related images, which celebrates the positive side of the darker side. Thanks in part to these, the skull as decoration has gone beyond being a "goth thing". It's now also something which can be colourful, and a part of celebration and remembrance, rather than something unpleasantly morbid. 

So what does this have to do with my jewellery? The most literal reminders of death are human skulls, skeletons and corpses - because  "As you are, we once were. As we are, you will become"- so they were used on tombs, rings, art, watches and jewellery.  I've always been fascinated by history and archaeology, happy even as a kid to be finding unusual things on gravestones and in churches, so skulls, skeletons and images of death have never been "icky" to me.

When I started making jewellery, it was to create the pieces I wanted to wear but couldn't find in shops, so of course the things I like personally  find their way into my designs. I use skulls in my work because being reminded to live your life well is no bad thing, surely?  It seemed that these pieces struck a chord with others (fortunately!) and my skull accessories find their way around the world, appealing to people for many different reasons.
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So would you wear a skull to remind you to live in Joy, or in Virtue? ​​​

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Giveaway - Get your own skulls to wear

From March 2nd pop to Instagram, follow www.instagram.com/perfidiousjewellery, like the giveaway and comment on the giveaway post with what colours you would pick for your own skull set. The  will be picked at random after midnight GMT March 9th and announced on March 10th 2019.

This is open worldwide, wherever you are, I’ll pop things in the post to you! 

So come and say hi on social media, and get ready for your daily reminder of death!

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​​Now, terms and conditions type stuff!

No purchase is necessary, and making a purchase from Perfidious Jewellery does not enhance chance of winning.

This Campaign is open only to those who follow the social media accounts and like and as requested on the Giveaway post at www.instagram.com/perfidiousjewellery, and is void where prohibited by law. The Campaign is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
 
By participating, the Contestant (“You”) agree to be fully unconditionally bound by these Rules. In addition, You agree to accept the decisions of Perfidious Jewellery as final and binding as it relates to the content of this Campaign.
 
Entries will be accepted on the social media channel, starting and ending on the times given in the post above
 
The Campaign must be entered by following the instagram account, liking and commenting on the giveaway image, as instructed. The entry must fulfill all Campaign requirements, as specified, to be eligible to win a prize. Entries that are incomplete or do not adhere to the rules or specifications may be disqualified.
 
The Winners of the Campaigns (the “Winner”) will receive a custom design of the items of jewellery pictured, selecting a colour for their set. No cash or other prize substitution shall be permitted. The prize is non transferable. Any and all prize-related expenses, including without limitation any and all taxes, shall be the sole responsibility of Winner.

The odds of winning depend on the number of eligible entries received.

Winner will be selected by a random drawing. Winner will be notified by social media messaging where available, or being tagged in a post, within one day following selection of Winner. Perfidious Jewellery shall have no liability for Winner’s failure to receive notices due to spam, junk e-mail or other security settings or for Winner’s provision of incorrect or otherwise non-functioning contact information. If Winner cannot be contacted, is ineligible, fails to claim the prize within 7 from the time award notification was sent, the prize may be forfeited and an alternate Winner selected.
 
Perfidious Jewellery reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Campaign should virus, bug, non-authorized human intervention, fraud, or other cause beyond Perfidious Jewellery ’s control corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, or proper conduct of the Campaign. In such case, Perfidious Jewellery may select the Winner from all eligible entries received prior to and/or after (if appropriate) the action taken by Perfidious Jewellery. Perfidious Jewellery reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers or attempts to tamper with the entry process or the operation of the Campaign or website or violates these Terms & Conditions. Perfidious Jewellery has the right, in its sole discretion, to maintain the integrity of the Campaign, to void votes for any reason, including, but not limited to: multiple entries from the same user from different IP addresses; multiple entries from the same computer in excess of that allowed by Campaign rules; or the use of bots, macros, scripts, or other technical means for entering. Any attempt by an entrant to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Campaign may be a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such attempt be made, Perfidious Jewellery  reserves the right to seek damages to the fullest extent permitted by law.
 
Information submitted with an entry will only be used to send the winner their prize, and then the information will be destroyed.
 
The Campaign hosted by Perfidious Jewellery is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.