The popularity of the skull belt buckle surpasses all other belt buckles. One would think that in our American culture that Western belt buckles would be the hottest sellers. But nothing exceeds the popularity of the skull. Especially popular is the Rhinestone Skull Belt Buckle. The glitzy fashion industry has glorified the skull and drawn attention to it with millions upon millions of rhinestones. Seemingly a strange combination.
I’m reminded of the skull belt buckle boots I purchased when I was about twenty. I was a normal kid by all accounts but wore skull belt buckles, earrings. Shirts with skull and crossbones etc. I still have those skull belt buckle boots, their awesome, even now. I don’t wear them, I’d break my ankle but I still love them. They remind me of a fun time in my life. My folks wondered what the heck was going on, how their private schooled daughter was into skulls. Truth is I never gave it any thought until now, my own daughter at 19 is covered in skull everything. She walks in with a huge rhinestone skull belt buckle, skull and crossbones earrings and a skull tee-shirt. You’d think it was Halloween but it was just a regular ol’ Wednesday. So here’s what I came up with.
Fashion statements may have subliminal deep rooted meaning. Fashion has always used the phrase “Make a Statement”. However there may be much more to this statement than meets the eye. Do these designers think this through or is it something deeply rooted even in their own subconscious.
Especially common is the skull belt buckle. Being a belt buckle it is of course placed at the waist, directly above a place of significance. A sign post of sorts. I think maybe the placement itself may carry some symbolism. So what does it mean?
Skulls symbolize many things to many people. To most they are a warning of danger. A skull and crossbones on the flag of a pirate ship (called a Jolly Roger) told all that the ship encountered of their impending death. The same symbol on a bottle warns of poison. Along the same lines many cultures would place the rotting heads of their captured enemies on sticks outside of the encampments to warn off anyone who might be considering and attack.
However the skull is not always a symbol of danger. In many societies the skull has symbolism associated with the afterlife and spirituality. A skull with wings is often used to symbolize life after death. This is commonly seen on biker and Gothic tattoos. There are many cultures that use the skull to symbolize the bliss of the afterlife. The Christian concept of Christ dying on the cross can be linked to crossed bones. Skulls are associated with such penitent saints as st Francis of Assisi, St Jerome and St Mary Magdalene. So there is the connection even in Christianity of the skull and afterlife.
It can also be a symbol of good luck. The association of the skull with good luck is very old. In Pre-Columbian America, the skull was given an honored place in the religion of the Aztecs and related tribes of Mexico. Their descendent’s, both Indians and people of mixed European and native American heritage continue to venerate the skull and the skeleton during the national ‘Dios de Los Muertos’ceremonies. Mexicans looked upon death as one more misfortune to contend with, but they also regarded it as the ultimate liberation.
The skull can also symbolize reverse bad luck. Hard-core gamblers, the lucky 13 crowd, bikers, and Goths have also adopted the ‘reverse bad luck’ of the skull. In this context the skull, along with dice rolling sevens and black cats, symbolizes luck in adversity.
The skull can mean so many totally different things to so many different people. It has much more meaning than just a pretty ornament. You have to wonder the intent when strapped around the waist of a beautiful woman. What about the one worn by the rebellious teenager or the biker. Is one meaning intended or a combination of all. A thought as intriguing as it’s subject.
