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Human Skull Essay

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From Pompeian mosaic and Pre-Columbian sculptures or reliefs, human skull carried a symbolical meaning of death and was a source of its philosophical contemplation and comprehension. Within long European tradition of Vanitas in art, it served as a reminder of impermanence of life. Combined with luxurious items and flowers, skull reiterated the inevitable transience of existence in Flemish still lifes, reversed sides of portrait panels and ornate mirrors. It appeared in decorations of kings’ tombs and church altars. Also, it was a warning symbol. Images of skull would send the threatening messages message via Jolly Roger or criminals’ tattoos. Skull appeared on apothecary jars as an emblem of poison. It was an ominous motif of war. Totenkopf insignia decorated SS death squad uniforms. …show more content…

The real skulls arranged in ornamental compositions were macabre tribute to death in bone churches throughout Europe. In Asia, wrathful deities associated with the skulls in Buddhism. Lavishly decorated with silver, gems, carved human skulls would be used as an esoteric rituals challis -kapala. Regardless of country or period, skull was always a meaningful image underlined with respect and fear.
In postmodern world, nothing is completely affirmed to its meaning. With ironic deconstruction of narratives, image of scull started to make its way into pop culture. Until recently, it was rather a slow pace movement through subcultures of bikers, heavy metal bands, “Pirates of Caribbean” movies and through Alexander McQueen’s exquisite collections of fashionable

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