The Iconography of Death: A Semiotic Analysis of Animation Film Posters

Abstract

This study analyzes the representation of the theme of death in animated film posters through a semiotic framework. Research on the cultural and artistic contexts of visual narratives indicates that the iconography of death has been portrayed in various forms throughout history. Concepts such as Vanitas and Memento Mori have traditionally depicted death as a reminder of life's transience, whereas in modern popular culture, this theme has increasingly been utilized as an aesthetic and narrative device. Within this framework, the posters of Coco (2017), Corpse Bride (2005), and The Book of Life (2014) were analyzed using purposive sampling to assess how the theme of death is conveyed through visual codes. The findings reveal that in the posters of Coco and The Book of Life, death is represented in a joyful and commemorative manner, inspired by Mexico's D & iacute;a de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) tradition. In contrast, the poster of Corpse Bride highlights Gothic aesthetics, presenting death within a melancholic framework. This study demonstrates that animated film posters serve not only as promotional materials but also as significant indicators carrying cultural and narrative meanings, offering insights into how the theme of death is structured at an iconographic level.