People have been worshiping skulls for thousands and thousands of years, long before the invention of motorcycles. Skulls have appeared in paintings, described in old texts, and numerous archaeological digs prove that tribes frequently use crowns in rituals. A crown undoubtedly conveys death, mortality, and deficiency. The image can see a skull and crossbones as an indicator of dangerous substances. In addition to this, a skull indicates a threat. Therefore, pirates and looters frequently put it on their flags and banners.
Today, skulls can be commonly seen on motorcycles and their riders. Does this mean they want to raid cities or summon the god of war? Well, of course, there’s a lot of crap out there in biker gangs, but riders generally don’t want to hurt anyone at all. They are just looking forward to hanging out with friends and riding their steel horses. So why do they hold the sign of death so close if they don’t want to miss the saddle or cause harm to others? It turns out that a skull is not only death and risk. It has a significant positive meaning. Let’s learn why runners love skull gear and what they mean.
Biker culture and skulls: the origin
After World War II, some 500,000 recently laid-off young military veterinarians returned to the US. The changes they have seen in society, coupled with memories of the horrors of war, have transformed them, to a certain extent, into renegades and rebels. At the time, the US Army was getting rid of thousands upon thousands of Harley Davidson motorcycles involved in the war, but now it was a burden. As a result, unwanted people and machines have formed a strong symbiosis known as the biker movement. This linkage worked to everyone’s advantage: racers regained their purpose in life, and the US military was able to sell motorcycles profitably and save big on therapy for veterans. The racers even came up with a joke: «You will never see a motorcycle parked near a psychiatrist’s office.»
So, a new subculture was born, but it had yet to develop its logo. Finally, the military past of the members of the motorcycle clubs has come to the rescue. They began stamping their evil machines and gears with the logo of their military units. Skulls and their varieties (crossbones, Death\’s Head, Jolly Roger) can frequently be found in the warfare of multiple lands, naval and aviation military units. For what reason? It’s pretty simple; such an intimidating image was supposed to strike fear into opponents. Luckily, the symbolism of the skull blended in nicely with the corridors that weren’t so hot and fuzzy.
A significant role in popularizing the skull among racers was played in movies and on TV. In the 1950s and 1970s, countless movies about irresponsible men on motorcycles filled the screens, and, predominantly, the riders were portrayed as bad guys: hooligans, rebels, and criminals who did not respect laws and ethics. The racers’ gear included motorcycles, leather jackets, and skull jewelry (motorcycle skull stickers or clothing patches). Consequently, skulls became an integral feature of racers in the public psyche. So each and everyone who wished to look like the racers enhanced their appearance with skull items. Even well-known people got this trend. For example, Elvis had a biker ring (he was an avid biker himself), and Keith Richards still wears his legendary silver skull ring known as the Keith Richards Ring.
Skull meanings
A skull is a multifaceted symbol, and each individual can interpret it. Along with that, there are some common meanings that are widely recognized among runners. Here are some popular explanations for the symbolism of the biker skull:
Celebrate life
For quite a few people, skulls and bones signify mortality, and they are not confused to a certain extent. However, in truth, the skulls have the opposite meaning, that is, immortality. In reality, after death, when the flesh decomposes, all we have left is our skeleton, a stealthy witness to our life on this Earth. A skull spread among ancient ethnic groups such as the Aztecs and Egyptians as a symbol of the life cycle, rebirth, and beyond. Our ancestors frequently used the skull and bone fragments to create jewelry and ritual items.
Today, certain ethnic groups still celebrate skulls. To serve as an example, the well-known Mexican celebration Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) gave us such a special symbol as a sugar skull. In memory of deceased loved ones, Mexicans baked candy in the shape of skulls, smeared it with rich icing, and decorated it with curls and flowers – these are the original sugar skulls. Over time, these beloved images began to appear on jewelry. In conjunction with that, women decorated their faces with festive sugar skull makeup.
Therefore, using a skull became a testimony of love for deceased relatives and faith in life after death. In addition to this, a person who admits a crown into his life through jewelry or clothing wishes to say how much he loves life and that rebirth and a new beginning await him.
hardy and bravery
During the Elizabethan period (1558–1603), the Death’s Head rings or objects with a skull without mirrored jaws that belonged to the underworld. To develop their brand symbolism, this relevance was taken as a basis by a plurality of component groups, such as motorcycle gangs and gun clubs on the side of the law. For members of such clubs, skull gear is a sign of disobedience and a powerful symbol of courage and endurance of body and spirit. Rugged runners wear such jewelry to show how stern and brave they are in the face of any risk. Many men flaunt skull rings. It is a testament to their masculinity, sexism, and indomitable spirit.
No one can escape fate.
A skull is a visual acknowledgment of fate. Riding a motorcycle is a constant danger, no matter how masterful you are with it. A skull ring on your finger reminds you that you cannot hide from fate; you cannot cheat or bribe it. Death and life are linked and cannot exist without each other. Everything has its beginning and its end. Sooner than later, death will take us all, and we must remember it. To an extent, skull jewelry is memento mori, the reminder that we are mortal.
keep death away
We cannot escape death, but one can delay its arrival. Safe driving is essential, but you may need something more potent than suspension of traffic laws to keep the Grim Reaper at bay. According to opinions, skull jewelry is excellent protection against death. Upon reaching a dying person, it leaves a skull mark. Those who have this mark are protected from death because it will not come a few times. Therefore, the runners show they do not fear death, but it is still too early for them to go to the other side.
We are equal in the face of death.
It doesn’t matter who you are in this life, rich or poor, a giant fish or nobody at all, in death, we are all the same. Grim Reaper makes us all the same. This overlaps with the brokers’ ideology, who admit everyone into their ranks no matter what they do in civilian life. In a motorcycle club, despite the hierarchy, every one of the members is equal, and everyone has the right to vote.
Devotion to your brothers
Skull symbolism, especially a part of motorcycle club ringtones, shows your loyalty to your comrades. When looking at the patch or ring on your skull, you must never forget that you are a member of the pack and must act following its laws. Generally, it symbolizes brotherhood, team play, and dedication to all that embodies motorcycle culture.
Conclusions
It is not so essential where the skull came from and what it stands for; the bottom line is that it found its place in the hearts of motorcycle enthusiasts all over the planet. This highly respected symbol can be seen on multiple bike parts, gears, tattoos, and everything a racer’s hand can accomplish. Like a kind of stamp, it makes the biker’s image consistent and complete. Do not think that biker skulls are monotonous and boring. On the contrary, the riders try to give their skulls personality: some look fierce while others are designed entertainingly and ironically. There are still skulls for biker chickens balanced with roses and hearts.
This is not to say that every racer loves skulls. You are free to use what you want, not what people around you operate. In the motorcycle community, everyone is entitled to express their personality in their way, as long as it does not contradict the code and rules of the rider established in a particular club. If you don’t like skulls, there are many other biker symbols like crosses, animal totems, dragons, gaming symbols, etc. They all have a brutal and rugged look. After all, you are a biker and not a fairy, so you should watch accordingly.