ELI5: Why Do Old Paintings Have So Many Skulls?

Old paintings have so many skulls because painters used them as a gentle reminder to live a good, kind life every day, since nobody lives forever.

A long time ago, people called this reminder a memento mori, which is a fancy Latin phrase that means "remember that you will die." While that sounds a little spooky, it was actually meant to help people with their normal, everyday routines.

Think about your favorite toy. If you were told you could only play with that toy for ten minutes, you would enjoy every single second of that playtime. You would not waste time being grumpy, fighting with your friends, or being mean. That is what the skull was for: it was like a little timer on the wall, reminding people that their time on Earth is precious.

In everyday life back then, the skull reminded people of a few simple things:

• Do not be too greedy: You might have a giant pile of shiny gold coins, fancy clothes, or the best sweets, but you cannot take any of those toys with you when you are gone.
• Be kind today: Because tomorrow is never promised, it is better to say "I love you," share your lunch, and forgive people today instead of staying angry.
• Focus on what truly matters: Having a loving family and being a good person is worth much more than having a big, fancy house.