RIP is the acronym or abbreviation of Requiescat in pacand, a Latin expression that in Spanish translates as rest in peace.
The acronym RIP is usually placed on the tombstones of the deceased, as well as epitaphs. Likewise, mention of these acronyms is made at the end of the liturgy of the Catholic Church, at the special moment in which prayers dedicated to the deceased are said, with the aim that the soul of the deceased finds eternal peace.
This sentence is the following:
“Requiem aeternam dona ei (eis) Domine. Et lux perpetua luzat ei (eis). Requiescat (requiescant) in pace”.
Whose translation in Spanish is: ʽGive(s), Lord, eternal rest. And let perpetual light shine upon him (them). Rest in peace.
The acronym RIP, which derives from Latin, coincides with the translations that correspond to the English and Italian languages for this same phrase.
In English the phrase is Rest in peace, and its meaning is exactly the same ʽrest in peaceʼ. In turn in Italian it is Riposi in paceand its meaning does not change either, it is exactly the same.
In Spain the acronym RIP is still used. In other Latin American countries, such as Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Chile, or Ecuador, some variants are also used such as RIP (may he rest in peace), QDEP (may he rest in peace), and sometimes EPD (rest in peace).
Likewise, the abbreviation RIP is usually used in the obituary section of newspapers, as well as on tombstones in cemeteries. Generally, the name of the person, the date of birth and death, and sometimes an epitaph by the loved ones of the deceased individual are placed.
See also Epitaph.
Difference between INRI and RIP
The initials INRI were written by Pontius Pilate on the top of the cross of Jesus of Nazareth. They correspond to the Latin phrase Iesvs Nazarenvs Rex Ivdaeorvmwhich translated into Spanish means ʽJesus of Nazareth, King of the Jewsʼ.
Both RIP and INRI are characterized by being part of the Christian religion, but they have different meanings and origins.
See also: