Skulls
and the Motorcycle
What is it with skulls and motorcycles?
It's as common as not to see gruesome skull patches, pins and tattoos on riders as well as skull hardware, paint jobs and sculpture on motorcycles. Especially big V-Twin riders and motorcycles. We know that any custom motorcycle is an extension of the owner's character, but what is the intended message behind the skull? Unlike a patriotic theme with flags and icons or a beautiful, scantily clad woman, a skull doesn't speak as direct about a rider's mindset. Or does it? Let's just take a look at old "Bone Head" and what he has represented to civilizations, past and present.
Skulls or "Death's Heads" have fascinated man since the dawn of time. Skull drawings date back tens of thousands of years and have been found on every continent. Skulls have generally been regarded as symbols of mystery, mortality and power and they provoke fear in some cultures. Skull art is present throughout the world and is used universally to express ideas about life and death, and sometimes evil. Skulls have been used in rituals and ceremonies as far back as history can reach and some still use them to this day.
I found a variety of uses and beliefs surrounding skulls but in spite of how widely they are used, there's surprisingly little information available about them.
Excluding medicine and archeological research, I expect the practice of Voodoo, Witchcraft and a belief in dark Click to Enlargemagic are the primary uses of human skulls today. Many others believe in the pure power of the icon. This photo is from the Crystal Skull Society. They research ancient and modern crystal skulls and also teach the art of Scrying. (To Scry is the ancient technique of gazing into an object such as a crystal ball or skull for the purposes of divination.)
In Goddess worship and witchcraft the skull is symbolic of wisdom and retained knowledge. In these ceremonies, the skull signifies that the inner nature or core of the person has been stripped down through initiation. Here the skull's death symbol can mean physical death, the dying of the flesh, or psychological death, the dying of the self. The skull with crossbones stood for the God in old Pagan religions. The crossed bones beneath the skull symbolized the Slain God, and his resurrection from death. In Witchcraft when the skull is displayed on the front of the cauldron it symbolizes renewal through the transformation powers connected with the cauldron.
When associated with magic and mysticism the skull serves as a link to spirits of the Underworld by its association with death. The skull is believed to be a receptacle of psychic energy, which is the reason for its being placed next to divination tools such as the crystal ball and magic mirror.
The skull is symbolic of wisdom and retained knowledge. When coupled with the teachings of the Mysteries of Occultism, the skull signifies that the inner nature or core of the person has been stripped down through initiation. Here the skull's death symbol can mean physical death, the dying of the flesh, or psychological death, the dying of the self. For this reason, among others, the skull was present during the initiation ceremonies of the Old Religion to signify the death of the old personality and the birth of a new consciousness. The skull with crossbones stood for the God in old Pagan religions. The crossed bones beneath the skull symbolized the Slain God, and his resurrection from death. In Witchcraft when the skull is displayed on the front of the cauldron it symbolizes renewal through the transformation powers connected with the cauldron. When associated with magic and mysticism the skull serves as a link to spirits of the Underworld by its association with death. The skull is believed to be a receptacle of psychic energy, which is the reason for its being placed next to (a.divination tools such as the crystal ball and magic mirror.
The skull, an obvious symbol of (human) death, has been given strong religious connotations in several cultures. Among the people of India and neighboring regions, the skull necklace is an iconographic memento mori worn by certain gods and goddesses. Skull necklaces are also worn by the wrathful aspects of allied Tibetan and Nepalese deities such as Kurukulla -- and necklaces and prayer beads carved from animal or human bones in the form of skulls are popular with their devotees.
In pre-Columbian America, the skull was given an honored place in the religious iconography of the Aztecs and related tribes of Mexico. Their descendants, both Indians and people of mixed European and Native American heritage, continue to venerate the skull and the skeleton during the national Day of the Dead ceremonies, when skulls made of sugar are eaten and offerings are placed on the graves of deceased relatives and friends.
At one point in the history of the Solomon Islands, people laid the dead out on a reef for sharks to eat, but they kept and stored the skulls in fish-shaped containers.
Grave Markers in the 1600s typically were inscribed with stark skull-and-crossbone markings, the ancient symbol of death.
Skulls can be found in architecture to protect the structure or give it power.
Probably the first use of a skull on a business card or as a company logo dates back to 1680's England. The first undertaker, William Russell, a painter of scrutcheons and hatchments for full heraldic funerals who in the 1680s took up the additional trade of coffin-making "and all other conveniences belonging to funerals"- his trade card illustrated with a skull and cross bones.
Probably
the oldest application of skull art we're all familiar
with is by Pirates. Seafaring villains like Blackbeard,
John Rackhum and Henry Avery used the skull on their
flags. Avery's flag displayed a skeletal Devil stabbing
a human heart. They were after bounty so why not a pot
of gold or some Spanish doubloons on the flag? The
answer is simple, gold don't generally scare the crap
outta' anybody. Pirates used skulls and skeletons for
their psychological value. A scared individual clearly
faced with the possibility of his own death is more
easily manipulated than one that's thinking about
getting ripped off.
Just as effective as the Pirates was the Nazi Geishstopo's use of skull insignia in W.W.II. to instill fear in the hearts of conquered civilians. The real brutality behind the uniform was emphasized by the death's head symbols. The sight of armed fascist bursting into your home at 3:00 AM with sneering Death's Heads on their black caps and uniforms must have been overwhelming. Click to Enlarge
The use of skulls by Soldiers dates back to ancient warriors that collected the skulls of their enemies and displayed them as trophies. At times, WWII for example, even the good guys made use of skulls, however, they usually came with the promise of death. The famous winged "Deathshead" (Photo above) of the Hells Angels was developed from the military aircraft insignia of the great war.
History tells us most of the first hell raisin' bikers American soldiers returning home from WWII. Some GI's made it back with a stash of Nazi souvenirs and cheap reproductions were soon in abundance in Army surplus stores. The SS skulls made a quick comeback amongst bikers. Worn in part, as a token of the Allied victory, but also for the shock value it had on the Citizens. Pin on a swastika and a FTW patch and you were stepping out of mainstream America whether you wore club colors or not. Click to Enlarge
Today, there are a lot of motorcycle clubs that fly skulls in their colors. Some are notorious one percenters like the Hells Angels M.C. and the Outlaws M.C. And some are just riding clubs. The Silent Skulls M.C. is an "all motorcycles, all people, anywhere" kind of club that projects a very different set of values, but they all selected to use the skull or a variation of it in their logos.
In the 60's and early 70's a skull pinned on your jacket was noticed. To most people it said, "I'm not your typical straight motorcyclists" and it set you apart from other riders. Still it was OK in most cultural circles. It was regarded as a symbol of independence and a disregard for the "system" more than anything, I think. The Grateful Dead and other rock bands adopted skulls and used them on album art and many a T-shirt sported a skull plastered over a marijuana leaf. Even the peaceful, flower wearin' hippies were into the macabre symbol. They were generally perceived as being cool.
In the late '70's and early 80's wearing skulls or painting them on a bike didn't seem to be seem to be as "chic" as it once was. Skulls didn't fit the disco scene (did anyone?) or the urban cowboys that followed with their line dances. Perhaps this crowd had also been influenced by bad publicity (real and imagined) and the array of "B" grade biker movies that fermented out from Hollywood. All those biker-drug addicts, tearing through sleepy little desert towns and plundering the locals for all they're worth. I think everybody got sick of those movies and in the process, many got sick of the biker image and skulls as well. You weren't sure if you were seen as being independent and different or just ignorant by the average Joe. Wearing skulls or "biker attire" immediately put you in an undesirable light in most circles.
Surprisingly enough, skulls are more predominate in the world of motorcycles today than ever before. Now there's all sorts of skulls and demons and Grim Reapers adorning everything from company logos and advertisements to T-shirts, jackets, pins, hats, and high dollar custom motorcycles. Skull tattoos are a favorite in the parlors. No one seems to be put off by them. No one seems to think you're an imbecile or a devil worshiper because you have a skull on your tank or your person.
Maggie Topliss of Australia, runs her own T-shirt label, Bibliotek. Her T-shirts feature screen prints of daggers, skull and crossbones, cats and bats - all reminiscent of 1950s horror films.
She commented, "I think the skull and crossbone, though maybe not as outlawish as they once were, definitely say a lot about the person wearing the design." Topliss continued, "You can forget that a design like that is so loaded, and then one day find yourself sitting on the tram wondering why are people looking at you like that."
She's got a good point. I'm sure everyone sees skulls in their own way, but displaying them certainly doesn't project a feeling of peace and friendliness, we have little yellow smilies for that. Many people see skulls as evil, but bikers are not evil. Terrorists are Evil! Bikers, including club bikers, are generally reasonable people so why the skulls?"
The best explanation I came across as to the reason bikers and soldiers display skulls is from Catherine Yronwode of LuckyMojo.com. Catherine states: "Bikers and low-riders, as well as some members of the military, utilize the skull as a signification of reckless machismo barely protected from disaster or of doomed bravery that accepts its fate."
It's hard to determine why skulls and even demonic art work have become so acceptable in the 21st Century. Maybe we have matured as a society and don't take everything so seriously anymore. After all, we've gone from "Ozzie and Harriet" to "The Osbornes" for family entertainment and more often than not, those evil bikers with the skulls on their backs are professional people and the "pillars of our community."
Whatever the reason, skulls are en vogue again and the reason we wear them is probably best summed up by a Brother that recently had a skull airbrushed on his Harley. When I asked "Why the skull?" he simply replied, "I like 'em!"
I've come to the conclusion that we wear skulls and paint them on our motorcycles for our own individual reasons but mostly just because they look cool! They're interesting and be it good or bad, a skull speaks loudly wherever it is displayed and it never represents cowardice or frailty. In the end, how a skull is ultimately perceived has a great deal to do with what's behind it. •
Just as effective as the Pirates was the Nazi Geishstopo's use of skull insignia in W.W.II. to instill fear in the hearts of conquered civilians. The real brutality behind the uniform was emphasized by the death's head symbols. The sight of armed fascist bursting into your home at 3:00 AM with sneering Death's Heads on their black caps and uniforms must have been overwhelming. Click to Enlarge
The use of skulls by Soldiers dates back to ancient warriors that collected the skulls of their enemies and displayed them as trophies. At times, WWII for example, even the good guys made use of skulls, however, they usually came with the promise of death. The famous winged "Deathshead" (Photo above) of the Hells Angels was developed from the military aircraft insignia of the great war.
History tells us most of the first hell raisin' bikers American soldiers returning home from WWII. Some GI's made it back with a stash of Nazi souvenirs and cheap reproductions were soon in abundance in Army surplus stores. The SS skulls made a quick comeback amongst bikers. Worn in part, as a token of the Allied victory, but also for the shock value it had on the Citizens. Pin on a swastika and a FTW patch and you were stepping out of mainstream America whether you wore club colors or not. Click to Enlarge
Today, there are a lot of motorcycle clubs that fly skulls in their colors. Some are notorious one percenters like the Hells Angels M.C. and the Outlaws M.C. And some are just riding clubs. The Silent Skulls M.C. is an "all motorcycles, all people, anywhere" kind of club that projects a very different set of values, but they all selected to use the skull or a variation of it in their logos.
In the 60's and early 70's a skull pinned on your jacket was noticed. To most people it said, "I'm not your typical straight motorcyclists" and it set you apart from other riders. Still it was OK in most cultural circles. It was regarded as a symbol of independence and a disregard for the "system" more than anything, I think. The Grateful Dead and other rock bands adopted skulls and used them on album art and many a T-shirt sported a skull plastered over a marijuana leaf. Even the peaceful, flower wearin' hippies were into the macabre symbol. They were generally perceived as being cool.
In the late '70's and early 80's wearing skulls or painting them on a bike didn't seem to be seem to be as "chic" as it once was. Skulls didn't fit the disco scene (did anyone?) or the urban cowboys that followed with their line dances. Perhaps this crowd had also been influenced by bad publicity (real and imagined) and the array of "B" grade biker movies that fermented out from Hollywood. All those biker-drug addicts, tearing through sleepy little desert towns and plundering the locals for all they're worth. I think everybody got sick of those movies and in the process, many got sick of the biker image and skulls as well. You weren't sure if you were seen as being independent and different or just ignorant by the average Joe. Wearing skulls or "biker attire" immediately put you in an undesirable light in most circles.
Surprisingly enough, skulls are more predominate in the world of motorcycles today than ever before. Now there's all sorts of skulls and demons and Grim Reapers adorning everything from company logos and advertisements to T-shirts, jackets, pins, hats, and high dollar custom motorcycles. Skull tattoos are a favorite in the parlors. No one seems to be put off by them. No one seems to think you're an imbecile or a devil worshiper because you have a skull on your tank or your person.
Maggie Topliss of Australia, runs her own T-shirt label, Bibliotek. Her T-shirts feature screen prints of daggers, skull and crossbones, cats and bats - all reminiscent of 1950s horror films.
She commented, "I think the skull and crossbone, though maybe not as outlawish as they once were, definitely say a lot about the person wearing the design." Topliss continued, "You can forget that a design like that is so loaded, and then one day find yourself sitting on the tram wondering why are people looking at you like that."
She's got a good point. I'm sure everyone sees skulls in their own way, but displaying them certainly doesn't project a feeling of peace and friendliness, we have little yellow smilies for that. Many people see skulls as evil, but bikers are not evil. Terrorists are Evil! Bikers, including club bikers, are generally reasonable people so why the skulls?"
The best explanation I came across as to the reason bikers and soldiers display skulls is from Catherine Yronwode of LuckyMojo.com. Catherine states: "Bikers and low-riders, as well as some members of the military, utilize the skull as a signification of reckless machismo barely protected from disaster or of doomed bravery that accepts its fate."
It's hard to determine why skulls and even demonic art work have become so acceptable in the 21st Century. Maybe we have matured as a society and don't take everything so seriously anymore. After all, we've gone from "Ozzie and Harriet" to "The Osbornes" for family entertainment and more often than not, those evil bikers with the skulls on their backs are professional people and the "pillars of our community."
Whatever the reason, skulls are en vogue again and the reason we wear them is probably best summed up by a Brother that recently had a skull airbrushed on his Harley. When I asked "Why the skull?" he simply replied, "I like 'em!"
I've come to the conclusion that we wear skulls and paint them on our motorcycles for our own individual reasons but mostly just because they look cool! They're interesting and be it good or bad, a skull speaks loudly wherever it is displayed and it never represents cowardice or frailty. In the end, how a skull is ultimately perceived has a great deal to do with what's behind it. •