The origin of the word "macabre" is uncertain, but there are several theories:
Biblical Theory: Some believe it is derived from the biblical character "Maccabæus," a name given to the Jewish leader Judah Maccabee. In 1434, his body was stolen by a French monk and displayed in a chapel decorated with gruesome paintings. The chapel, known as the "Chapelle Macchabée," became a center of macabre fascination.
Carnival Theory: Another theory suggests that it comes from the French carnival character "Macabre," a skeletal figure who led a procession of the dead.
Dance of Death Theory: It may also be related to the medieval allegory of the "Dance of Death," where Death personified as a skeleton or hooded figure danced with people of all ranks, reminding them of their mortality.
Place Name Theory: Some believe it originated from the name of a village in France called "Macabre," where a battle took place in the 13th century. The survivors encountered the horrors of war and the sight of decaying bodies, leading to the association with grim and macabre themes.
However, linguistic evidence supports the Biblical theory as the most likely origin, as the earliest known use of the word "macabre" in 1434 is associated with the "Chapelle Macchabée."
