Above: Fine art photography of a Skull and Flower by Edward M. Fielding. Vintage tintype post-processing of this studio still life brings a mysterious, ethereal, Victorian look to this monochromatic photograph. Prints and custom museum quality framing available such as the shown image. Customize your own print of “Skull Flower” here (note: the watermark in the lower right does not appear in the final print):
https://edward-fielding.pixels.com/featured/skull-and-flower-tin-type-edward-fielding.html
The most common symbolic use of the skull is as a representation of death and mortality.
A vanitas is a symbolic work of art showing the transience of life, the futility of pleasure, and the certainty of death, often contrasting symbols of wealth and symbols of ephemerality and death.
Best-known are vanitas still lifes, a common genre in Netherlandish art the theme is implied in still–life paintings without explicit imagery such as a skull.
A skull can even be a celebration of life.
It can be a tribute, celebration of life, and respect for a loved one, as in Mexico and the Day of the Dead festival and the sugar skulls.
They represent revered and respected family, a celebration of life. A time to honor our loved ones who have passed.
Skulls can symbolize overcoming difficult challenges even overcoming death.
They can symbolize strength and power, and offer the wearer protection.
They can symbolize the death of an old life, a past that has been defeated and a change for the better has occurred. A rebirth has happened.
The movement from one plane of existence to another. A big change that has happened, as the biggest change for any life on this planet is death.
In this life or the next, the skull is all that is left as the soul passed into another life.
A reminder to live life to its fullest, and the inevitability of death is ever lurking.
Death being unchanging for all life, skulls can symbolize eternity.
Skulls as rebellion:A symbol of rebellion, the iconoclast.
The individual or separate from the government or authority as in pirate flags.
Times of war the skull represents the death of enemies, revenge, and caution to those who cross their paths.