Page 26 - FearFinder 2022 2

Among the many recognizable symbols of the old skull and crossbones variation. The Autumn and stalked for the better part of the time since
Halloween, dark literature and horror entertainment wind is a Raider, goes the immortal Steve Sabol motion pictures were invented. For instance, horror
are the ever present skull and skeleton. The poem, further associating the skull symbol and the films like Sam Raimi’s Army of Darkness and its
popularity of the skeleton as a symbol of horror or Raiders with the fall season. stop motion animated precursor, Ray Harryhausen’s
impending doom has many origins, and in the case innovative Clash of the Titans both employed
of Halloween and other creepy celebrations, it isn’t But the symbolism of the skull goes back even skeletons as fighting soldiers of an undead army.
hard to understand. further than the pirates of the 18th century. History
Jack o’ lanterns are often spooky, with their suggests that the introduction of the skull and Walt Disney contributed to the skeleton’s
strangely carved grins and foreboding orange glow, crossbones emblem may have started with the association with Halloween by the creation of
black cats represent the night of the season with Knights Templar in the 1100s, a large charity an animated short visualizing skeletons as the
their mythical attachment to superstition, and even endorsed by the Catholic Church of that time “danse macabre” in 1929. Its title is The Skeleton
the traditional witch summons up a feeling of dread period. Dance, and its one memorable foray into the world
in many, with the pale green skin and the element of cartoon skeletons that stands out because of
of spell casting. As early as the second century, Christianity may its status as both a well-made film and an early
Still, the skeleton may be the scariest image of have been using the skull and crossbones as a animated short on the subject.
them all. Think about it; what’s more macabre than remembrance of the departed. The funerary use
the unmanned frame of a body stalking about the was found in different catacombs of Italy, with its One of the most enduring modern animated
streets under an autumn moon? stark representation of those who had passed from skeletons is a wiry, well-meaning but shadowy
the living. At that same time, the symbol was a fellow by the name of Jack Skellington. Jack
The skeleton as a representation of danger is of portrayal of the Latin term “memento mori”, which appears in the Disney and Tim Burton produced
course nothing new. The imagery of the skull and roughly translated means “remember death”. film The Nightmare Before Christmas, and he’s a
crossbones has graced many a pirate ship and flag significant character in skeleton symbolism history
over centuries in both fiction and non-fiction. The The students at Yale University gave the skull because he is the rare protagonist skeleton that is
pirate flag, which came to be known as the “Jolly and crossbones yet another delegation in 1832, the lead of his own film. In other words, a singin’,
Roger” as early as the 1720s, was a reflection adopting the term “Skull and Bones” for their dancin’ beloved “good guy” skelly character. There
of an approaching ship announcing the intention secret society. Along with the name came the aren’t many.
to attack. While the earliest pirate flags varied inevitable use of the image of the skull and
in design from full bodied skeletons engaged in crossbones, used there to represent the mystery Today, skeletons still signify their dark roots in the
combat to merely the color black with no other surrounding their presence. form of some “poison” logos, as well as being a
design, the skull and crossbones symbol came to major element in many advertisements for the fall
represent the pirate legend, and therefore, a feared Of course, it’s easy to see how the skeleton and Halloween season. Pro and home haunters use
likeness for many. became an insignia of sorts for the holidays of them in their decorating and to get people into the
All Hallows Eve and The Day of the Dead, where spooky mood for some October fun and scares.
The Oakland Raiders adapted a version of the the attempt to honor and remember the dead are But how many stop and wonder about the
Jolly Roger for their football helmets in the sixties, the overriding themes. The idea that Halloween skeleton’s origins in popular culture, appearing
and almost immediately became known as the confronts the power of death makes the skeleton all those years ago in some of the earliest known
“villains” of the National Football League. Their a particularly useful representation, and an image traditions? Whatever the answer, the skeleton
associated logo is on many hats and jackets that has been around for centuries of celebrations. will now forever be associated with the darkest
around the world, and their fans remain as devoted representations of the October legend, dancing and
as any sports team in recent memory whether Some of the more memorable and interesting uses grinning their toothiest grins as they grotesquely
the Raiders are enjoying a good season or not, of skeletons come from television and cinema, parade about the chilly autumn landscape on
partially because of the black and silver design of where they have resurrected, animated, danced Halloween night.

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