Why Do So Many Bikers Wear Skulls? The History & Meaning Explained

When you spot a biker on the highway, you might be seeing a rider decked out in black leather gear — a jacket, boots, and maybe gloves. They might also be wearing one or more skulls, somewhere on their clothing, or on the bike itself. For many riders, the skull is much more than just a cool fashion statement, it's an acceptance of death itself. By wearing the skull, a rider is communicating that yes, I understand the end could come at any moment, but no, that doesn't mean I'm unsafe or reckless.

In fact, wearing skulls doesn't necessarily mean a biker is a criminal, or a member of a motorcycle gang. Sometimes it's meant to be a unifying symbol to other bikers, as a way to keep those who don't ride at arm's length. It can also be socially motivated, because despite a person's wealth or influence in life, the same will not be true after death. In the end, they're just bones and since skulls are the one common denominator, everyone is ultimately the same.

Of course, wearing skulls is also about being brave, and rebelling against authority. There is, however, a certain level of superstition at play here as well, as some riders believe skull jewelry can spiritually protect them on the road. Supposedly if you're mortally injured, wearing a skull would keep your soul from being lost afterward. In essence, it's mean to prevent a second encounter with death.

The tradition of bikers wearing skulls dates back to the end of World War II in 1945, when returning soldiers formed the first motorcycle clubs. It was a way of keeping the brotherhood alive for many veterans, who began wearing skulls to symbolize their dangerous new lifestyle. This trend continued through the years, with the skull becoming an iconic emblem that instantly set bikers apart from everyone else.

Perhaps the most recognizable biker skull is the infamous Death's Head logo worn by the outlaw motorcycle club, the Hells Angels. The Hells Angels rose to fame in large part because of their logo, which eventually came to represent the shady underworld that most people only knew through movies and TV. 

The Death's Head originated from some of the same military iconography that former soldiers wore while in combat. As with other clubs that popped up around them, the skull worn by the Hells Angels went far beyond being just a sign of membership.

The impact of skulls in mainstream culture became so prominent that even Harley-Davidson began using one. Though Harley didn't reveal who created their skull logo, it later became known as the Willie G skull, for company executive Willie G. Davidson. The Willie G. was a combination of the skull, and Harley-Davidson's eagle logo, which is iconic in its own right. Harley's new blended logo was seen as a way to put some distance between the company and the outlaw biker gangs.