The Story Behind Skull and Pirates of the Caribbean

Using a skull as a symbol on the flag is a characteristic of pirates. A flag emblazoned with skulls and crossbones has long been a “piracy emblem”, a symbol of terror and danger on the seas. An article in The New York Times in 2011 called it a masterpiece of “multi-version trademarks,” and pointed out that the profit-motivated pirates devise this particular pattern to facilitate their looting.

The History of Skull and Pirates of the Caribbean

Maritime plundering was prevalent on the high seas, perhaps as early as the opening of trade routes in the Aegean and other Mediterranean domains. The people of Cilicia often traveled in and out of the Mediterranean Sea, and were not occupied by the ancient Roman Empire because they provide slaves. It was not until 67 BC that their piracy threatened the food supply of the Roman Empire and was occupied by the Roman Empire’s rule.

The Senate ordered, “a comprehensive and systematic strategic approach to the governed areas, as well as a well-thought-out humanitarian policy” aimed at eliminating Silesia within a month. However, despite such a famous historical story, the well-known skull pattern only appeared later, that is, in the late 17th century when the Pirates of the Caribbean flourished.

People chose to become pirates mostly because of the opportunities for huge profits offered by sea plundering, and the Caribbean Sea is an extremely tempting sea area. Mentioning pirates, people always think of words like murderous, lawless, or alcoholic, but they don’t know that they were once experienced sea traders, just because of the original reward Very little had to join the ranks of pirates.

The Popularity of Skull and Pirates

Once a symbol of pirates, the skull symbol means the threat of death to evil. But now, the skull pattern is more reminiscent of the movie “Pirates of the Caribbean”. There is a huge market for “pirate and skull” products, with everything from skull jewelry to clothing, toys, shoes, electronics, and furniture. You can find many skull accessories stores now, such as Gthic.com. Apparently “pirates” have invaded pop culture.

Of the most primitive totems, the skull is the most common antisocial totem, says historian Kevin Jones of the School of Fashion and Design Business. The biker gangs of the 1960s and 1970s used skulls to separate themselves from social orthodoxy. The heavy metal bands of the 80s also favored the skull pattern, and they also added skull scarves, rings, and earrings. Skateboarders followed the pirate trend, followed by the goth trend, and fell in love with skeletons.

As the skeleton design has grown in popularity, the meaning of its original totem has gradually blurred. “I’ve seen Hello Kitty with a skull on it, and when you see it, you understand that the evil mantle of the skull totem has been completely stripped away, and it’s just become a fun popular symbol,” Jones said. Not only for toys, rings feature on skulls are super popular now.

Professor Leo Brody, a cultural historian at the University of Southern California, said pirates are a long story, and time has given them a legendary romance. “People always have nostalgia because these ‘pirates’ in the movies are no longer dangerous,” he said.

Final Words

Perhaps the skull image has lost its stoic and tough nature, but that just makes it more popular. Disney brand director Heather Oster said: “Skulls are so trendy now that a lot of people who weren’t interested in skulls are now wearing pirate and skull clothes.” Skull accessories are the product of the times.

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