Nice, but why the sculls? Is it a coincidence that 2 of the 4 featured NFTs in your last pic contain a scull? Why not associate more positive images to the event?
I know that modern art needs to be ugly, but we at Hive can differ from the mainstream!
You are viewing a single comment's thread from:
Honestly, I think the skulls look cool. It’s not really about being “dark” or “ugly” — to me, they represent power, resilience, and that raw connection to life and death. Skulls are timeless symbols — they cut through the noise and feel honest, even primal.
That bull skull with the glowing red eyes? It’s like a totem of strength and growth. It says, “we’ve been through it, and we’re still moving forward — stronger than ever.” 🐂
What’s cool about Hive is that it doesn’t shy away from stuff like this — it embraces variety, not just polished or overly positive things. That’s what makes it feel real.
Interesting view. To me those symbols rather symbolize death and glorification of the evil! I know that in our Western society these symbols are pushed by evil forces, that don´t want that people have a positive attitude about live. But I appreciate the fact that this (hidden) component of those symbols are not aware to many.
That’s a valid perspective — symbols can definitely evoke different things depending on context and personal experience. But that skulls and similar motifs have been present in ancient art and culture for thousands of years, long before any modern "agendas." From Celtic and Viking carvings to Japanese Noh masks and Tibetan ritual art, these images often stood for wisdom, protection, spiritual transition, or even respect for the cycle of life and death — not glorification of evil.
So sometimes what looks dark on the surface is actually deep, old, and very human...
I fully respect that other cultures use(d) such symbols, but I just recently (see my last post) delved into the European history and e.g. in the Greek culture there were no skulls at all. Also the extensive skull usage by the Celts and Vikings seem to be a modern popular culture exaggeration. Which Viking carvings you are referring to?
Fair point, and you're right to question popular myths — a lot does get exaggerated. Still, skull symbolism did exist in Europe, though often more subtly.
For example:
The carved rosary bead was discovered at Queenhithe in the City of London with a face on one side and a skull on the other. Credit: The Trustees of the British Museum
In Greek culture, while literal skulls were rare in art, Thanatos (death) was often depicted with a skull or winged skull motif in later Hellenistic funerary art.
Celtic cultures are more direct — Roman sources like Diodorus Siculus mention Celts collecting and displaying enemies’ heads, which likely inspired later skull motifs.
While direct carvings of human skulls in Viking art are indeed rare, one notable archaeological example is the Ribe skull fragment discovered in Denmark. This mid-8th-century artifact is a section of a human skull, approximately 6 x 8.5 cm in size, with a hole bored into it, suggesting it was worn as an amulet. The skull fragment is inscribed with runes invoking deities such as Odin and Tyr, indicating its use in rituals aimed at protection against illness or malevolent forces. ttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ribe_skull_fragment
Another example is the Danish Runic Inscription 66, also known as the "Mask Stone," discovered in Aarhus, Denmark. This granite runestone from around 1000 CE features a depiction of a facial mask and an Old Norse runic inscription mentioning a battle between kings. The mask depicted has been explained by the Moesgård Museum as "probably intended to be protection against evil spirits." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danish_Runic_Inscription_66
These artifacts illustrate that while explicit skull carvings are uncommon in Viking art, the human skull was utilized symbolically in various forms, including as amulets and in runic inscriptions, reflecting its cultural and spiritual significance.
Hollywood definitely amplified the visuals, the roots go back much further than most people realize.
For many cultures all over the world, skulls are not negative at all. I know that everyone has their own taste, and that's how it goes. Next time I will ask you to pick stickers, communicate with the artists, print them, write such a post etc etc
But we are in the middle of Europe, not in Mexico.
Tastes and opinions vary, no matter where people live. I’m sure many other attendees, even those coming from the heart of Europe, will appreciate these stickers. Plus, we have two wonderful guests traveling all the way from the US — I bet they’ll like them too!
I'm proud of this little gallery; it has taken a lot of hard work (even though I am not one of the artists) to put together, and no one will turn down my joy and anticipation for the event.
I would like to have some, and I am not Mexican ;) Thanks for the engagementin writing this post and making this happen. Maybe @ninaeatshere can help me get some as well - they look awesome!
Thanl you for the comment liza! I bet @@@ninaeatshere will get you 1 of each! (if they're still some left ^^)
That would be great <3
I curated the art for this, we just had a skull art event with @nftshowroom and @alienarthive so it happened to be a big part of the recent minted art ✨
Of course, for sure skulls are still underrepresented in modern culture :)
We need to push to 90% skull motifs in art, hopefully by then all are pleased. Sorry, a bit sarcastic today.
Well I think there's a reason they are massively popular art themes, but it's not for everyone and that's fair