"Cogita mori" is the inscription on a 16th century vanitas ring recently found near the city of Dunfermline by a Dundee metal detector enthusiast. The skeleton ring is currently being assessed by the Treasure Trove Unit in Edinburgh, but it is hoped that it will be put on display in Dunfermline. The inscription means: remember death.
Cogita is the imperative active singular of the verb cogito, -are, -avi, -atum, which means: to think.
Mori is the first person singular perfect of the deponent vert morior, mori, mortuus, which means: to die. So mori means: I died or I have died.
Thus the inscription should really be understood, as the skeleton chiding the wearer of the ring: "Remember, I died."
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