skull and crossbones
 

Please enlighen me as to what this represents.

My brothers children wear these on their clothes and I have seen several items with this symbol, yet when I ask what they are representing no one seems to know.

Thanks in advance for information regarding this subject.

Well, in olden days :rolleyes: it meant poison. You would see it printed on bottles where the content was poison.

Now, I interpret it as "danger" which may be completely wrong! :confused:

Yes, it does seem to have a negative connotation, yet very popular.

Winkopedia:

A skull and crossbones is a symbol consisting of a human skull and two bones crossed together under the skull. Today, it is generally used as a warning of danger (usually in regard to poisonous substances).
The symbol, or some variation thereof, was also featured on the Jolly Roger, the traditional flag of European and American pirates.

Today, the skull and crossbones is still the only standard symbol for poison. It is, however, less common outside industrial usage than it once was. Apart from its negative marketing effect on environmentally conscious consumers, it may actually attract children due to its association with pirates, a popular toy and play theme. For this reason, in the United States there has been a proposal to replace the skull and crossbones by the "Mr. Yuk" symbol.

The skull and crossbones is also used by the British Army. The 17th Lancers adopted the skull and crossbones as its cap badge upon its creation in 1759, becoming known as the 'Death or Glory Boys'. The cap badge was later used by the 17th/21st Lancers and its present-day successor, the Queen's Royal Lancers who are still nicknamed the 'Death or Glory Boys'.

Hmm...I went through this conversation with my daughter. The skull and cross bones, besides denoting poison, is also a nazi symbol. But most kids that wear it these days are really trying to show their support for white supremist. They think of it in connection with Pirates. And pirates are cool, hence priates of the carribbean.

I didn't know this??? It is interesting then, that the British army would use the symbol??? :confused:

Er, never heard that one. The Nazi symbol is the swastika:(

The skull and crossbones has become very popular lately due to the Pirates of the Carribean movies.

A little more explanation about the Nazi use of the skull and crossbones.

Totenkopf (Plural: Totenk?pfe) is the German word for "death head" or "death's head" and is used to describe a military insignia featuring a skull above crossed bones. It is distinguished from the similar traditions of the skull and crossbones and the Jolly Roger by the fact that the bones are positioned directly behind the skull and the lower jaw bone is absent. For a long time in widespread use in several countries, its association with the worst aspects of Nazi Germany has lead to its decline.

Very interesting! Learn something new everyday!!! Thanks!

My daughter says pirates or punk people. :confused: sorry not sure.

I think it is just a passing fade.....much thanks to the Pirates of the Carribean movies an such. I feel that there is no harm in it....there are dog clothes w/ it and little kids clothes, etc. My daughter has diamond and gold earrings like that too. My dad has a Harley shop and that has always been one of the things people want - and most of his customers are bankers, lawyers and doctors. We do a lot of car shows w/ some of our classics and you see these skulls/crossbones on some of the cars too! So many different people use them...it is crazy to see the diverse group of people that are either wearing or showing the skulls/crossbones.

Thankyou
 

Thankyou for all the info and comments, it is much food for thought.

Interesting the diverse meaning.