It is not uncommon to see skull rings on men’s fingers. For some, skulls are frightening; others look at these eccentric accessories with curiosity. There is one more category of people, those who admire skulls and understand what they really mean.
So are there any hidden meanings behind skull adorned rings or are they just an audacious accessory?
What does a Skull Ring Symbolize?
For starters, skull rings are much more than just daring body ornaments. For many people around the world, especially those who have a soft spot for motorcycles, they are a symbol of fearlessness in the face of death and danger.
We must thank the biker subculture that popularized this symbol in the 20th century and made it accessible to all of us. For bikers, the skull is both a protector and a patron saint.
High speed is a way to assert yourself in a group of fellow bikers. At the same time, it has its risks and dangers. So when a motorcycle rider has a death mark on his finger (that is, the skull), it helps to keep death away. Thus, the skull becomes a protection against death.
The other recognized meaning of skulls is immortality. In this sense, skulls have been known long before the birth of the biker movement. Ancient civilizations believed that skulls and bones were the links that connected the world of the living with the world of the immortals. Skulls, unlike flesh, do not decompose; therefore, they are eternal.
It is for this reason that human and animal skulls became essential attributes of many tribal ceremonies and rites in the past. Even today, skulls and bones are used in occult and esoteric rituals.
Other Meanings of Skulls
Do you know why the skull symbol is often placed on high-voltage equipment and poisonous substances? Yeah, that’s right, because it speaks of danger. The same meaning pirates wanted to convey when they put a skull on their flag, the infamous Jolly Roger. This image was supposed to freeze the blood in the veins of everyone who saw it because Jolly Roger means death, looting, as well as existence outside the law and morals.
On the other hand, a skull is often a personification of good qualities inherent in ‘real’ men – bravery, virility, fearlessness, honor, valor, etc. No wonder it is widespread in armies and military units. The most (in)famous military skull is the Totenkopf. Originally, it occurred in the Prussian army but over time, it was adopted by the Third Reich army as its distinctive insignia. Most likely, this became the reason why skulls started being associated with something bad, sinister, and revolting. Because skulls and bones have such a bad reputation, wearing skull jewelry might startle lots of people who are not familiar with other meanings of this symbol.
Obviously, nobody wants to get on the wrong side of a person who oozes danger through wearing skull jewelry. On the other hand, skulls have the power to captivate. They can become as it were, a magnet – they will repel bad people and attracts good ones. Thanks to jewelry adorned with skulls, you can easily recognize motorcycle enthusiasts, rock fans, and mysterious Gothics in a crowd, even if they are wearing regular clothes.
Who wears skull jewelry
Military
The first skull fashion dates back to the 19th century when this symbol appeared on the insignia of the Prussian army. Until mid-1940s, skulls remained exclusively military appanage.
Bikers
The founders of the biker movement were American soldiers who fought in the WWII battlefields. When they returned home, they saw many changes in the socio-political trends and they didn’t enjoy them whatsoever. As a sign of protest, they started wearing trophies they picked from fallen enemy soldiers. Some of those trophies featured skulls.
The love for skulls reinforced even more when bikers came across Mexican rings. They had many interesting symbols and the skull was one of them. Unlike meanings of death and danger inherent in military insignia, Mexicans have a more positive, and even, life-affirming significance for skulls.
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Gothic
Gothic is known as the “cult of death”, and skulls are the perfect representation of this subculture. Goths take advantage of the dismal image and show the interest in esotericism. For some members of this community, jewelry is a reminder of the dark side of life bristling with suffering and darkness. Along with that, many Goths deem skulls as an attribute of a daring style, as well as a way to demonstrate their belonging to the Gothic community. For both of these groups, skull-adorned bracelets, rings, necklaces, etc. are a way to carry a powerful esoteric symbol.
Rock musicians
Jewelry with dark symbolism is a must for rock musicians and creative individuals. Persons who dare to flaunt a silver cranium boldly declare that they value their life and are ready to stand their ground despite the condemnation of others.
Many world-renowned musicians openly express their love for skull accessories. For example, Keith Richards has been wearing a silver skull ring for more than 40 years. It obtained the status of iconic rock jewelry and spawned numerous copies and knock-offs. Now every self-respecting rocker from Mick Jagger to Steven Tyler has his own custom skull ring. Even Elvis rocked such an accessory.