Skull and crossbones
In Christian art, a reminder of death, and at the foot of the cross, a sign of Adam's remains.
Meaning
In scenes of the crucifixion a skull, often with crossed bones, lies at the foot of the cross. There it is also a memento mori, a reminder that every life ends.
Origin and history
The skull refers to Golgotha, 'the place of the skull', where the Gospels place the crucifixion, and to an old Jewish tradition, known to the Fathers of the Church, that Adam's skull was laid there.
Where you’ll see it today
whatdoesthissymbolmean.comSkull and crossbones (GHS06)Today it marks chemicals with acute toxicity on labels and safety data sheets.Read next
- Next in Christian symbolsIchthysA fish drawn with two curved lines, one of the earliest Christian symbols. Its Greek name, ΙΧΘΥΣ, spells out “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Saviour”.
- In Halloween symbolsSkeleton and skullA human skeleton or skull: the dead made visible. Its place in Halloween goes back to the late-medieval Dance of Death and to the Christian days for the dead that follow Halloween.
See also
Jolly Roger, Chi-Rho, INRI, Latin cross, Orthodox cross, Sacred Heart.
Sources
- Mount Calvary, The Catholic Encyclopedia (1907–1912), via New Advent, Origin of the name
- John, chapter 19, The Holy Bible, Knox translation, via New Advent, John 19:17–18 (Knox)
The same shape elsewhere
Browse symbols formed from crosses.
Researched, edited and approved by Rory Hansen before publishing. Last reviewed October 3, 2026. How we research
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