Is a crucifix with skulls and bones a bad omen?

[laceygirl]

I have found an old crucifix that has traveled with our family. It is metal and I have seen a couple that resemble this one. It has the skulls and bones at the feet of Jesus. I was wondering if you can comment if this is a bad omen that can or could have brought our family troubles?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

There are a couple of reasons given for a skull and bones at the bottom of a crucifix. The first is that the skull and bones symbolize death, and Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is his triumph over death. That is very likely the theological reason for the imagery.

Pious legend also holds that Adam was buried at the site of Calvary, and so the skull and bones represent the New Adam’s (Jesus’) undoing of the sin of the first Adam (the consequence for that sin being death).