Skull (symbolism)/Revision

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Introduction - covering the basic idea and reasons.

Contents 1 Traditional uses 1.1 Religious meanings 1.2 A symbol of power 1.3 Other traditions 2 Artistic symbolism 2.1 Visual arts 2.2 Literature 3 Insignia and logos 3.1 Historic 3.2 Modern 4 Other contemporary uses 5 See also 6 External links

[edit] Traditional uses

[edit] Religious meanings

Ritual and traditional:

• Neandertal burial
• Jivaro
• Kali

Calvary, or Golgotha, is a hill outside Jerusalem known as the Place of the Skull in Christian literature.

The Sedlec Ossuary, the Catacombs of Paris and other locations prominently feature the skull in a religious setting.

The Mexican holiday, the Day of the Dead (somewhat similar to the American Halloween) celebrates the dead and makes extensive use of skull imagery. (image:Mexico.calavera.azucar.ncs.jpg)

[edit] A symbol of power

Totenkopf

Skull Tower

[edit] Other traditions

• Drinking from a skull

• Cutting one's nasal hairs and making a basket

• Killing three cats to save the empire

[edit] Artistic symbolism

Memento mori image:StillLifeWithASkull.jpg

Danse Macabre image:Holbein-death.png

[edit] Visual arts

• José Guadalupe Posada
• Simon Schama
• Albrecht Dürer
• Pieter Claesz
• All Is Vanity (Image:Allisvanity.jpg)
• Nicolas Poussin

[edit] Literature

Hamlet's soliloquy with Yorick

The skull-topped fence in Conrad's Heart of Darkness.

[edit] Insignia and logos

[edit] Historic

• Jolly Roger
• Skull and crossbones
• Totenkopf

[edit] Modern

• Poison
• Skull and Bones
• Bones Brigade and other skateboarding references (Hawk boards, skullskates) image:SkullSkatesLogo.gif

[edit] Other contemporary uses

Skulls and skeletons in general have enjoyed something of a renaissance in modern culture, becoming a symbol for death and evil in general. Exemplifying the modern prevalence of such images, comedian Ali G onced asked interviewee Everett Koop "why are skeletons evil?"

Skulls are used prominently in film and other media.

• Army of Darkness
• Apocalypse Now
• Raiders of the Lost Ark
• Doom
• He-Man
• King Kong

Skulls are also used ironically in some subcultures, especially those which run counter to the mainstream. Skateboarding, Goth, Rock music, and other subcultures often use the skull as a symbol of their "evil" ways.

[edit] See also

The Mütter Museum houses a large collection of skulls and realistic models.

[edit] External links

• A Great Article about Skull symbols around the globe