Wearing skulls

[JoArtist]

I was wondering peoples thoughts on wearing things with skulls on them. What if they are something cultural like Dia de los muertos skulls? Is there a difference? I am just curious as to what people will say about this… I think I already know, but I am going to see what you all will say.

 

[Roman63]

I certainly don’t know all the ins/outs on skulls, but I believe the human skull (or images of it) is not necessarily bad or evil. Have you noticed that a great many paintings of saints contain images of human skulls? Sometimes the saint holds the skull in his/her hands, sometimes the skull is somewhere in the background. The skull, if I understand correctly, is a symbol of human mortality and the fact that we will face death someday and will suffer the consequences of our actions. Some saints (I think but do not know) yearned for what the former owner of the skull he/she is holding presently has: physical death and eternity with a God they had sacrificed everything to live for. I have a pretty good, though inexpensive, replica of a human skull in my home sitting near my books on theology and Catholic Christianity. It doesn’t frighten me and I don’t see anything inherently bad in it.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Peace of Christ,
Roman63

 

[JoArtist]

I certainly don’t know all the ins/outs on skulls, but I believe the human skull (or images of it) is not necessarily bad or evil. Have you noticed that a great many paintings of saints contain images of human skulls? Sometimes the saint holds the skull in his/her hands, sometimes the skull is somewhere in the background. The skull, if I understand correctly, is a symbol of human mortality and the fact that we will face death someday and will suffer the consequences of our actions. Some saints (I think but do not know) yearned for what the former owner of the skull he/she is holding presently has: physical death and eternity with a God they had sacrificed everything to live for. I have a pretty good, though inexpensive, replica of a human skull in my home sitting near my books on theology and Catholic Christianity. It doesn’t frighten me and I don’t see anything inherently bad in it.

Of course, I could be wrong.

Peace of Christ,
Roman63

I do have to say I agree mostly… but different cultures have different meanings attached to the skull so it would depend on culture/your interpretation.

 

[Newbie2]

I’ve been looking for a surgical cap with flaming skulls on it. No reason other than that I’ve seen them and they look cool.

 

[Gem]

Art is one thing. But I believe you are referring to their ubiquitous presence on t-shirts and shoes for kids these days. These are a symbol of the modern crassness of society, a darkness that permeates many prodcuts that are peddled to any child older than 6. I see them as a popular expression of our very real culture of death, and therefore, we avoid them for our kids.

Gem

 

[GEddie]

Most consumers of skull-related art (apart from Mexican 1 - November observance) are youths. Youths have a characteristic fascination with death; partly because (a) they have just internalized that they will become victims of death, and (b) the connection between death and sexuality.

This fascination with death is symbolized by the skull. A skull without skin, eyes, or body represents a dead human being. Unlike ribs, limb bones, etc, which look much the same between animal species, a skull is a clear symbol of human death. That would be why it was used in religious art as well, to keep folks reminded that one day their head would also be in that hideous condition.

So, when used by youth, skull impedimenta are just a phase in development, aiui. There’s nothing to be concerned about.

ICXC NIKA.

 

[stringbeanduck]

I wear t-shirts with interesting skulls on them. I just think they look cool.

 

[ETEXAS]

I have some Rosaries w/skulls…It is the "Tempus Fugit Memento Mortis thing…