The skull is a bony structure found in the head of many animals. The skull supports the structures of the face and protects the head against injury. Protection of the brain is only one part of the function of a bony skull. For example, a fixed distance between the eyes is essential for stereoscopic vision, and a fixed position for the ears helps the brain to use auditory cues to judge direction and distance of sounds. In humans, the adult skull is normally made up of 22 bones.
Historically, the skull was a popular symbol of triumph over the enemy, and a warning to the people defeated in battle. Collections of skulls might be stacked by the victors in public places, as an obvious declaration of victory and grim reminder of the losses of the vanquished. It was also worn as a trophy and even drunk out of by conquering kings.
In Christian art and culture, the skull has been seen as a symbol of eternity, repentance, and human vanity and, therefore, a reminder to keep to the straight and narrow. An ancient symbol of the skull with a serpent crawling through the sockets was the symbol of knowledge and immortality. Many great Renaissance masterpieces prominently feature skulls, and most portraits of Saints, Cardinals, Popes and Royalty contained a skull as a reminder of the importance of living a virtuous life.
In Buddhism and Hinduism, skulls can be seen in their religious art. The Buddhist Lord of the Dead, Yama, has five skulls around his head, signifying the conquest of anger, greed, pride, envy and ignorance. Kali, the Hindu Goddess of Death wears a necklace of skulls.
Skulls are represented in a number of tattoo design genres, and a classic tattoo design that has been popular for generations of tattoo enthusiasts. Skull tattoos represent death and the shortness of the life that precedes it.
Although it has been the victim of many stereotypes over the past few decades, skull tattoo designs are hardly the evil portent of doom that you might picture it to be. While it is the nearly universal symbol for the victory of death over life, it is also a symbol of great saints, such as St. Francis of Assisi, St. Jerome and St. Mary Magdalene. It has been a symbol of sacrifice and forgiveness on one hand, while it has also been the emblem of hate on another. In the end the skull often represents the temporary nature of life.
The skull tattoo design brings with it unique stories, legends and dreams. Its legend is peppered with a diverse crew, from pirates, to Hitler's SS men, and young, addicted teenagers. Free roaming bikers and secret societies have chosen this symbol to become their own personal logos. The influence of the skull ranges from the most liberal to the most conservative; from Christian monks to Aztec kings with their bloody sacrifices to their gods.
The Skull Tattoo Design: A Gallery of Choices
From the simple skull and crossbones to the wild flaming skull, there are so many ways to incorporate the skull into a tattoo. Human skulls or the skulls of creatures such as bulls, cows, dear and the mythical dragons are popular. Pair the skull with a rose, a cross. Take the skull and sharpen the canines, and viola, a vampire skull or demon skull. Give your skull a top hat, or let it stare out at your amid searing flames. Tangle it in barbed wire or create a Deaths Head moth. Clown skulls, jester skulls and joker skulls make for scary tattoos with frightful twist of humor or insanity.
Whatever you want, wherever you want it, the skull can be that or go there.
A Historical Look At the Skull Design
It seems that the skull design has become the ultimate of paradoxes. Across the globe, and across eras, this seemingly simple design has been a constant reminder of our own mortality. While today it is general associated with secret societies, toxic substances and the pirates, Jolly Rogers, the skull actually has a long and enchanting meaning across the ages.
Religious Significance of the Skull
Many cultures have placed a great amount of spiritual importance on the symbol of the skull. In India, skull necklaces are popular. These icons are designed to be a constant reminder of death and its ever immanent approach. The Tibetans and Nepalese were familiar with these necklaces, as they were worn by the darker deities of their religion. Skulls were also revered by the ancient Aztecs of pre-Columbian America. In their religious system, the skull held an honored place as an icon and symbol. The Aztecs celebrated the passing of life to death, and held an annual “Day of the Dead” As part of the celebrations, white skulls made of sugar were eaten, and offering were left at the graves of dead friends and loved ones.
Today, and through recent history, crystal skulls have been found in excavations in Mesoamerica. These are breathtaking sculptures honed from the clearest of crystals, and their visages are eerily realistic. So realistic, in fact, that several New Ages believe that they've found actual skulls, the skulls of our extraterrestrial space neighbors. They swear to their authenticity because the jaw is hinged, but the skeptics aren't buying it!
Perhaps more surprisingly, the skull has received a fair amount of good PR from Christianity. Most widely, the skull and skeletons represent the belief of an eternal soul, that even though we suffer a physical death, our spirit goes on into immortality.
The skull also coincided with the crucifixion of Christ. Golgotha, which translates into the place of the Skull, is where Jesus was hung unto death. It is rumored that below the very cross on which he hung Adam's bones were buried. While Jesus blood flowed, it pooled on the ground and seeped down where it anointed Adam's ancient skull. As this happen, it was to have washed away the stain of his original sin.
The Skull and Architecture
The world has been speckled over with groups of people who have been inspired to use skulls and bones as major components of their architecture. Tracing back to the times of legend and myth, there are also still these morbid buildings standing today!
In ancient Greek myth, Antaios, a giant from Libya, was famous for slaying traveling passers-by who happened to stumble into his realm. His collection grew to the point that he was able to build a magnificent temple to his father, Poseidon, from their skulls alone. However, this devoted son later lost his life at the hands of Hercules.
Once again, in a seemingly strange appearance in Christian culture, the skulls (and the other bones) of over 40,000 believers were utilized to erect Sedlec Church of All Saints ossuary (a repository for bones) in the Czech Republic region of southern Bohemia. This rather macabre work of art regularly attracts large numbers of curious tourists!
Skulls and Secret Societies
With all of the mysteries that surround death and the end of our earthly existence, it is no wonder that Secret Societies have chosen the skull to represent rebirth, and the eternal rewards that awaited them for their earthly service and devotion.
It was prevalent in initiation rituals, and was used by at least two very popular clandestine organizations: the Masons and Skull and Bones, the Yale secret society who boasts members like George W. Bush, and his father, George Bush. By association it is then connected to the Illuminati, the Knight's Templar (their initiates all drink out of a human skull), the Priory of Sion, and Eastern Star.
In perhaps one of the most frightening of all secret societies, Hitler's SS-totenkopf verb and often wore the death head or skull as they worked in and around the concentration camps. It has become a representative of the Neo-Nazi movement, and has shown up in quite a few gang-type tattoos.
Bikers and low-riders (as well as some military buddies) boast of skull design tattoos, where the skull signifies reckless machismo, only just barely protected from disaster. Others claim that the skull design symbolizes a sort of doomed bravery who accepts its fate with a shrug.
The Skull Tattoo Design & Modern America
The skull has made its appearance in many realms. It became a key emblem for the Heavy Metal movement, it shows up every Halloween. The skull has taken on a wide range of meanings and symbolizes something different for everyone who chooses to wear it. It warns of fear, and now, thanks to the crystal skulls in Mesoamerica, New Age followers have given the skull yet another meaning. Skulls designs range from traditional to new-school. Whether you are a boy or a girl looking for a skull, the incredible variety of skull tattoo designs ensures that you will find the perfect tattoo drawing for you.
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