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for Enlarged Photo of Medallion
Death's
Head
Death's
Head, the skull, 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’ (meaning ‘remember that you must
die’)
worn by certain gods and goddesses, most notably Siva
in his ascetic form and Kali in her wrathful form.
Skull necklaces are also worn by the wrathful aspects
of Tibetan and Nepalese deities such as Kurukulla. Necklaces
and prayer beads carved from animal or human bones in the
form of skulls are popular with
their devotees.
The skull and crossbones symbol is also used in initiation
rituals as a symbol of rebirth. It symbolizes
the ‘sephirah daath’ on the Kabbalistic
tree of life, the gateway
to the higher realms of understanding only achievable
through spiritual death and rebirth. A skull symbolized
the promise of a new life.
In
Pre-Columbian America, the skull was given an honoured
place in the religious iconography of the Aztecs
and related tribes of Mexico. It is still venerated
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.
The
skull as an emblem occurs frequently in Christianity,
inspired by Golgotha, the place of the skull, where Christ
was crucified.
Adam's skull lay directly
under the
cross so the blood of Jesus could drip on it, thus washing
away
the original sin. Skulls are associated with such penitent
saints as St. Francis of
Assisi, St. Jerome and St Mary Magdalene.
The skull and
crossbones symbolizes the danger of poisonous substances.
It is displayed on a black cloth back ground make
up the
pirate's flag, those who attacked and looted ships.
The
skull and crossbones and a crossed hoe and sceptre (symbols
of sovereignty) with a skull above them,
are important emblems in masonry, where it symbolizes
the hierarchic structure and the transience of the material
world.
The
death’s head was the symbol of the ‘SS-totenkopf
verband’ (one of the original three branches of the
SS,
along with the allgemeine SS and the waffen SS),
whose purpose was to guard the concentration camps.
Most of the original members of this organization were
later transferred into and became the core of a waffen
SS division, the Death’s Head division.
Bikers
and low-riders, as well as some members of the military,
utilize the skull as a significator of reckless
machismo and
bravery that accepts its fate.
According
to subculture mythology the skull is a symbol of defiance,
teen violence,
drug abuse and sexual promiscuity.
The
skull at Halloween is a popular item in haunted
houses and a favorite design theme for
masks, costumes, lanterns, candies and Halloween
decorations.
http://www.designboom.com/history/death.html
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