Of Skulls and Such…
From ghoulies and ghosties, and long-leggedy beasties, and things that go bump in the night, Good Lord, deliver us.
—from an old Scottish litany
I find interesting all the fascination with skulls in design lately. I haven’t always been fond of skulls. Typically they conjure up visions of the macabre or of heavy metal bands… Cliché, I know! I recently read this in USA TODAY:
“Hoping to capitalize on the ‘skull chic’ trend…marketers are plastering skulls, with or without crossbones, on everything from T-shirts and belts to dinner plates and jewelry. Urban Outfitters offers more than a dozen skull-stamped products such as an $88 rolling suitcase online. Dior’s fine jewelry collection includes a diamond-encrusted skull pendant for $19,385—with rubies or other gems in the eye sockets extra.”
So I thought I’d give some consideration to the skull trend that’s generally done with a light-hearted wink.
Ages ago, in Celtic Britain, with the end of summer came the anticipation of short days and long nights. Livestock were butchered and food was stored up for the long winter. It was a time that was connected to death. Above all things, these pagan Celts feared death, darkness, and everything associated with the unknown.
Long before the age of light switches and street lamps, which bring us instant light, these people lived in fear of the dark. Witches, ghosts, and the souls of the dead wandering in the night were very real to these ancient people. Though they might have been a touched obsessed with death, aren’t we, in our culture, a touch in denial of it?
Four hundred years ago, Puritans, who are far from trendy, took the skull, as a symbol of death, and made use of it in their paintings. Maybe you have seen some of these 17th century Momentum Mori paintings in museums. Momentum Mori is a Latin phrase that means “remember your mortality.”
We believers shouldn’t become obsessed with death, skulls, and grief, but we should see our lives—and one day our deaths—from a Christ-centered perspective. After all, don’t we read, “To live is Christ, and to die is gain”? (Philippians 1:21).
So let’s remember our mortality, not living in either denial or fear. Instead let’s hold fast to this assurance, “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39).
Remember…it was at Golgotha, “the place of the skull,” that this victory was won.
And so we say:
“When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: ‘Death has been swallowed up in victory.’
‘Where, O death, is your victory?
Where, O death, is your sting?’
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:54-57).
So I hope you’ll never look at a skull on a trendy T-shirt or belt buckle in the same way again!
28 comments
Debbie | October 31, 2011
I loved reading that....a learning point as well as a reminder I have nothing to fear and now when I see a skull I will be thanking Jesus for removing the sting of death for me...God Bless you !!!
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Miriam | October 31, 2011
Wow, thank you for that!! My husband likes skulls but he sees them differently than I do because he is not a believer. I will have to let him read this .. Thank you and God bless you ..
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Valorie | October 31, 2011
I have never looked at it as trendy and as a matter of fact, wondered why so many people put them on their vehicles to represent their families. My family is alive and I want them to stay that way. Their spirit is not dead but are alive in Christ Jesus.
Skulls are not cute they are just the opposite. Ugly.
Penelope | November 1, 2011
You're right Valorie . . . but now when you see someone with a skull you can tell them . . . "I see you like skulls! Allow me to tell you about what happened at “the place of the skull,” Golgotha, that can change your life.
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Kathi | October 31, 2011
Cathe,
Thank you for that wonderful perspective on skulls!
My 7 1/2 year old grandson Jakob, died of a terminal disease after battling it for most of his young life December 15, 2010. Jakob was a pirate through and through. He loved Jesus dearly and we often spoke about the great adventures he would have with Jesus when he got to heaven! He was an angel on earth who never complained a day in his life. His smile was infectious and lit up every room he entered. Even up to the last he was loving and giving to all those around him.
To honor him, when he died, we draped his little coffin with the pirate flag of skull and crossbones.
Now, when I see the skulls, I am reminded that my little pirate Jakob lives on in Victory in heaven. He sails through the heavens on a ship with Jesus who I like to think, joins him on his adventures. I am confident he has his trusty hound Daisy (she was his mom's and his dog) with him.
I miss him more than words can describe. I know I will see him again someday and I hope to have another sword fight upon the rolling deck of his ship with my little man.
I pray for you and Greg and your beloved Stella and your family often. I know Christopher is off on his own adventures in heaven and maybe he and Jakob have met and have shared a sword fight or two! :-)
God bless you Kathe. Thank you again for your message.
Your sister in Jesus,
Kathi :-)
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Nancy | October 31, 2011
Where did you get your rose bracelets? Love Love Love them!
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Ernie | October 31, 2011
Wow Cathe....I will never look at another skull the same!!! Yeah!!!!! Jesus defeated death and the SKULL!!! Oh what a wonderful God we serve! That you for the wonderful work you and you husband are doing to further the work of our Savior! God bless you!
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Eric | October 31, 2011
Just a thought. I want to look at everything I can through a prism of is this giving glory to Jesus. Would I share this with him and would he appreciate it. Well very often I indulge in things and actions that do not at all glorify Him. I know that we are in a fallen world and it's obvious when we start to mix the great gifts with the worldly. I think that the skull is part of the body and it is a masterpiece and is sacred. I think the devil wants us to forget that everyone has a name and was awesomely made by God. I think so much is about defiling and making us impure before God. We are modern believers who through the gift of faith know what death is and that we will have no real part in it as a result of Jesus Christ's work on the cross. We still make of playing with rebelious dark symbols that speak of a those who did not know of His wonderful glory. I have a pillow with skull and bones that say Beatings will continue until moral improves. I doubt that will be enjoyed in heaven. No one is perfect but I probably should have instead a pillow that speaks of His great gift of salvation that is so real.
Jimelle | October 31, 2011
Eric,
I agree totally with what you said! If the world sees us with the
a skull or crossbones and skull (which by the way is the symbol for
A curse of death) then they see us as worldly or "having a mixture"
as Paul tells us in the New Testament! I think I would choose
something else to wear instead of the skull and crossbones!
We are in the world not of it and we tend to forget that "in
the name of fashion". Thanks again for your thoughts!
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Rhoda | October 31, 2011
Thank you for your post - I will try not to think of a skull in the same way again :) I definitely look forward to heaven, so now maybe it will remind me that to die is gain.
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Lora | October 31, 2011
Cathe,
Thank you for this fresh perspective on death and skulls. So many times I look at them negatively, but now for sure I will look to Golgatha! Thank you Sister for a new slant on this. May the Lord continue to bless you and Greg.
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Elizabeth | October 31, 2011
Very interesting! I never *got* the skulls and cross bones either ... what a reminder however ... Thank you!
BTW, as far as skull *stuff* goes, that pink bracelet is about as skull-ish as I could go .... Dare I say, it's kinda "cute"? ;)
God bless!
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Sam | October 31, 2011
Cathe,
Thank you for that, it was just what I needed to read today...beautiful and appropriate sentiments for the 31st of October. I never understood our societies obsession with the skulls. I see them everywhere!
My adult daughter Megan passed away in March of this year and I miss her every day. She loved Halloween. I am dreading the holidays and can't even bear to look at the sweet little trick-or-treaters this year. She would have loved reading this. The verse you quoted from Romans 8:38-39 was one of her favorites. She will always be in my heart, but I am so excited about being with her someday in eternity.
My journey on this path of loss, death and grieving has not been easy. In the beginning, I pleaded with God, "Why" Lord? Now I ask him "How"...how can I live my life without my child, but honoring her memory through Him? My relationship with my God has been the strongest it has ever been. I am grateful for his grace and loving arms to keep me courageous in walking this path.
I have come to see the different perspective of living my life and some day, my death in a Christ centered way. I have no fear of death at all, and look forward to meeting Jesus and being with my loved ones for eternity!
God bless you and your family
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Kathy | October 31, 2011
Hi Cathe,
Thank you for that information.
My family and I just watched the Lost Boy DVD, an amazing video. We ordered 6 more for Christmas presents. So thankful for you and Greg for being in my life for almost 40 years. I know that seems strange because you're only 32 and so am I . Ha ....
We live in Utah now, but still stay connected with all that goes on with you all. Grieved with you and Cheer with you too.
May God continue to bless you sweet sister,
Kathy V
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Pati | October 31, 2011
My Dear Cathe,
Thank you so much for that tidbit. I have often wonder myself on all this "skull stuff".
I am not amazed to have had this sent to me by you.. The Lord is constantly showing ME through His servants. His Love for us and His Purity.
You, Pastor GREG and family are ALWAYS at the top of my prayers
for it is though your obedience that "HE" Shines.. I love that about
My pastor and his beautiful family... I'm always being led.. by
"our shepherd" My the Lord continue to Bless you ALL,
in Christ Pati
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Tre | October 31, 2011
Thank you for explaining the skull representing death and the trendiness of it now.
I passed this article on to my daughter who has a few skulls tattooed on her. Being a Christian now, I only pray that she will now tattoo over them the words: "passed from death unto life". God bless you.
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Mike | October 31, 2011
Wow! I am suprised to see such acceptance in regards to the dead frames of God's intended eternal creatures. We should consider the gross attrocities that people have been through and some of the last things they saw before leaving this earth-Hitler's uniforms depicted a skull and cross bones on hats and medals that the Jewish people saw before their deaths. Satan has always found a way to kill what God has created, and somehow at the same time make it look touchy feely okay. Jesus-God- the Holy Spirit does not find any pleasure in seeing the bones of His creation put on display so as to market or sell products. What is America thinking.
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Dyanne | October 31, 2011
Thank you Cathe for putting my perspective in the right place concerning this issue. Yes the kids like the skulls it does something for their look I don't know what but it really attracts them. I think they think it bothers me so I try not to let it and figure they will grow out of it and they are getting older and still with the skulls!! But now I can see the victory in their skulls because the victory they have over those skulls because they belong to Jesus. He and only He holds their hearts and their futures. My kids: Christoper 21, Autumn Joy 23, and Billy Joe 27...all love the Lord! He shines way way past those skull tshirts
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Denise | October 31, 2011
Thank You Cathe for the research you have done and for your insight into the skull symbols. I had to put my foot down and just not buy anything that had skulls on it, which was really hard a year or two ago, as it was everywhere. I explained to my kids what the Holy Spirit made clear to me, that He wanted us to stand firm in our beliefs and not buy into the skull trend and that it was a sign of death. My two younger kids put up some resistance at first, but have also been convicted in that area and are fine with it. Our oldest daughter is not walking with the Lord. She has little ones and now has a few baby things with skulls on them. Like I said, it is everywhere. I don't like it, but a person who does not have a personal relationship with Jesus isn't going to see things in the same light as someone walking closely with the Lord. We just spent this evening at my daughter's home and came home and I read this article. The Lord knew what I needed to hear. Thank you.
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Rebecca | October 31, 2011
I have been a :DEAD HEAD: since 1968..They have always been depicted with a skull and roses...The meaning being re-juvenation of life...Almost like a resurrection....I appreciate your sharing the info. It gave me something to consider.....Peace to you and yours..Rebecca
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Barbara | October 31, 2011
I can recall being afraid to even think of death or dying when I was much younger. Now I don't exactly look forward to it but I am not afraid of it because it has been conquered by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. What I was once afraid of I welcome, although I know that God may not be through with me as yet. I am definitely looking forward to my real home "Heaven".
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Diana | November 1, 2011
Great post Cathe, but I think I will do without the skull stuff anyway.
Blessings!
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Aber | November 1, 2011
I hear ya Denise, Mike, Eric and Jimelle.....
Cathe, You are so right that victory was won at Golgatha! Yup we born again Christians can stand and be not afraid because of what Jesus did for us and it should never be taken lightly. But was it Christians who started this skull trend or the pagans? I can understand why non-believers would wear the skull on various clothes or on their flesh...as it may reflect their heart and mind... trendy as it is, Gothic as it is, tough and scary as it is, but I have NO understanding why a born again/Jesus follower/God glorifying Christian would conform to this world's ways of displaying the symbol of death on their attire or body. I had been convicted many years ago in reading God's Word to not have a taste of this or a hint of that or conform to anything that in which would make my brother/sister fall or would not glorify my God. Same goes as far as the trendy cross....... now if we would all go around asking "why do you wear that skull on you shirt" or "why do you wear that cross around your neck" would we be prepared to answer? (as we are challenged to do in God's Word) So why not display the symbol with an explanation such as a verse i.e. “To live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21) or bold words that back up the "why" such as "it was at Golgotha, “the place of the skull,” that victory over death was won". unless of course the reason is only because it's the trend.....are we just rationalizing/compromising to just be able to participate in just one more fun, cute, trendy pagan originated thing because we don't want to be different or miss out on the fun? Gosh, don't we have anything else to wear? Really? As far as the Christians wearing the skulls, do THEY fully understand the victory at Golgotha and grasp the love poured out as victory was won for them? If so is that why THEY continue to wear the skull? Or is it that they have not yet truely accepted God's love for them that they still have that need to fit in and be accepted by the people around them? How can WE be a witness to this generation of believers who have become tolerant, accepting, and even participate in worldly trends if we also conform to this world? All things are permissible but not beneficial....
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Maureen | November 1, 2011
Thank you so much for your thoughts...really neat that the place that my punishment was paid was, "The Place of the Skull"...I think I will be able to look at both 'skulls' and "The Day of the Dead" with a different perspective. I always just hated them, but now in the light of the gospel...JESUS gets the glory even in what might have been meant to glorify the Evil One! HE wins again!
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Donna from Denver | November 1, 2011
I dated a Funeral Director a number of years ago, and to me, the skull represents death and what so many of these special people do for a living. Do they wear skull and crossbones as decorations and clothing options? Probably not. It is a direct reminder that death is not to be glorified and made fun of. It's serious business and if your spirituality and belief in God is not in the right place then, it represents a death that is not with Christ. Personally, I refuse to honor death in that way. It seems as if we are glorifying death and not putting the focus on Christ which is were we should be focusing. Christ is Life and the path to a beautiful tomorrow!
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Marth | November 1, 2011
Dear Cathe:
My country is a place where they now worship the death more than ever...and I see that God is not pleased with it and the consequences are tearfully sad. On my part I will share this post with as many friends as I have and hopefuly they will understand that it is more than just a "fashion trend". Thank you and may God always Bless you :)
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Barbara | November 2, 2011
Dear Cathe,
Thank you for a better way to look at the skull. My Christian son just days ago got a tatoo of a skull on his arm. I have been so upset , I woke up last night and couldn't go back to sleep thinking about this tatoo. And how I can't stand to look at that skull. When I got on facebook, because I couldn't sleep I saw your post. Thank you so much , I think God used you to calm my fears. Also, it was amazing to see how He cared to send me a message. Thanks also for all you and Greg do. Praying for you both. Thanks again from King William, Virginia :) Barbara Daugherty
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Renee | November 5, 2011
The skull image trend has disturbed me. Thank you for shining light on it!
Now, I will remember Golgotha - Jesus defeated death at the place of the skull.
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Abby | September 16, 2014
Love it! I have a skull tattoo with two roses on the side. My meanings behind it was the skull represented death, something that I feared for a long time, but it's always been told to face your fears and so that's how I fell in love the roses are beauty that simple like a rose. So my skull decorated with the roses meant death is a beautiful thing not something to be feared because after death is when we will be united to our Lord and Savior. Now I'm searching for the perfect quote to put around it and explain its meaning to me, and this post has just helped a lot.
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Kamrie Johnson | September 11, 2015
I decided to do research on skulls and the connection with Christianity and also other religons briefly. I always thought that skulls was just weird until I got a boyfriend who likes skulls, he just thinks they are cool. Well, that's okay because I like different things like zebra print and y'all know how people go CRAZY with that!! Reading this for the second time helped me understand more...and I bet A LOT of people don't think about that. I'll be reading this particular passage of scripture soon to fully understand :)
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