Nothing earth-shattering today

You've probably noticed there are many renditions of states of being in drawing. Notably, a white robe and wings (with or without harps) for death, or an "X" over each eye when drunk. These make reasonable sense, I guess, but what's the background for being so destitute that instead of clothes, a person is shown wearing a barrel with two straps over the shoulder keeping it up? I haven't gone barrel shopping (or selling) in a while, but I figure at best, you could sell a barrel and get enough money to get a couple of outfits down at the Goodwill.