What's With The Skulls?

[WyomingSlick]

Skulls ?? Hmmm........... everybody I know has one:cheers:

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

It isn't just in leather. I see skulls everywhere from clothing to paintings. Kind of how the Iron Cross was elevated not too long ago. You can even buy skull adorned clothing for babies ,now. Skulls have gone mainstream along side with the Iron Cross, they aren't just for bikers anymore.

Skulls have fascinated man for centuries, and I see it as a connection with our ultimate destiny. Even elephants have been observed touching the bones of deceased ancestors in a respectful way. The catacombs in France are full of stacked skeletons, Dia de los muertos use skeletal imagery, operas - poor Yorick in Hamlet, the biker, and rock n roll crowd (Iron Maiden) have used it for making a tough image for themselves. I don't think that there is any one answer for the use of skulls. For some it is a connection with the past, while others use them for intimidation, far different thoughts indeed. A comparison can also be made with the evil clowns that are used for various groups from bikers, to bands.

We have a shop in Las Vegas called Nothing but Skulls,and that is all they sell.

I'm not to hip on the evil skull imagery, as I feel that there is just too much anger in society as it is-but that is a whole nother subject with me.

[BillB]

I think some of the biker persona thing goes back to the Pirates and the Skull and Cross bones. A Pirate was a renegade and bucked the establishment at the time. Same as the early biker clubs which were not 1%'s but the folks who returned from WWII with time on their hands and a lot of skills. This is also where drag racing, and hot rods got their start. The 1%s came later.

Just my opinion.

[cybertracy]

also, leather seems to be the perfect organic medium the skulls (or dragon scales) tooled on some vegtan look WAY cool even for a novice like me!

My first "skull" fascination was the Pirates ride at Disneyland -- just before the first waterfall--And mark well me words, mateys: Dead men tell no tales!

Edited October 15, 2011 by cybertracy

[Massive]

The bike persona goes back to the Werhmacht. Not in a emulation sense necessarily, more in a we beat 'em, and we can wear their stuff. Normal victory behavior. The bikers wore not only skulls, but German helmets, the Iron cross (which is a broad symbol, but the version worn was from the nazi period). German officer's caps, swastikas, etc...

Skulls have a wide range of symbolic meaning, from symbolism around human frailty and mortality, to the horror end of the spectrum. Leather itself is the wearing of the skins of animals for practical and other reasons. The same cultures that feel at home in the skins of others, often collected and displayed their bones, antlers, horns, skulls, etc... A recognition of one's mortality is healthy and mature. The gravedigger scene in Hamlet is part of that tone.

At the other necessary extreme there is the celebration of death dealing, horror, etc... Sometimes you need to get ramped up for battle. This can descend into the celebration of cruelty, and terror, or the inference that one is one of those people who would be comfortable with that, whatever the truth.

There is doubtless a whole lot more to it than that. And a whole lot less if one is just vibrating with whatever is currently popular.

[Luke Hatley]

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There is doubtless a whole lot more to it than that. And a whole lot less if one is just vibrating with whatever is currently popular.

Well Yes......it's a Guy thing If i have to explain it...you would not understand...

[BWL]

There are also "Skull and Crossbones" on some Crucifixes. This is located at the bottom signifying Christ's triumph over death. The one thing I try to stay away from, talking about religion and politics. I thought I would do some research on this because I thought of this very same thing.................. makes for some interesting reading.

[Prince]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned the allure of feeling like a bad ass, whether or not that concept aligns with reality or not. Sometimes people just want to feel cool though of course what that quantifies that concept of 'cool' is subjective to each person. And of course the words synonymous with cool depend on generation, ie: rad, hip, swell.

Whether it's wearing a skull helmet at a renaissance festival or convention, or jacket with skulls, or motorcycle seat, or having some skulls on their book case (as I do by happenstance) people sport such apparel and own such possessions because they feel that, or project that, style reflects an aspect of their personality. Or they temporarily play the role as such.

Though of course the skull themes are overplayed by my estimation, I think that's due in part to a lack of imagination. Other reasons are likely the culprit though. While of course nothing new, it became an accepted fad in our modern culture and people often won't deviate from the accepted norm, even if that norm is an offshoot of something abnormal. Also, the skull in particular is rather iconic and the grim connotations are instantly recognizable. It's easy to grasp the point as it were, when depicted in art or fashion. I think that helps it be so wide spread too. When you are surrounded by the culture you will notice things like grave stones, caskets, demons, and all sorts of other similar themed items but the skull is also able to be personalized with characteristically human attributes like angry looking eyes and such. So it is much easier to get a certain impact with skulls.

This is all conjecture of course; personal speculation since the topic was broached. I normally don't spend much time on forums, easy to get drawn in and hard to get work done but today is a sick day as it happens.

[dymensia3d]

Some really good conversations here regarding skulls.....

I like skull and crossbone motifs as well and have one on the back of my motorcycle and a couple pirate skull patches on my jacket.

I have a different take on it though. Although I like pirate lore and such I believe the skull and crossbones is a positive symbol.

We are all headed to the grave, so live life and enjoy life to your best. The skull reminds us of that.

jt

[HellcatLeathers]

It's nice to be part of a forum where everyone can share their personal opinions and not get bent out of shape....I wish my neighborhood forum was like this!

For me, skulls symbolize several things that I like: rock culture, pirates, and general bad-ass-ness. (yes, I think I just made up a word)

Skulls, in some religions and religious practices, are used to ward off evil spirits....like a gargoyle. At least this is what I tell my mom when she visits and says "Why all the skull paintings?" LOL