I am wondering what the various fingernails polished/unpolisted mean in goth culture?

Answer 1

Goth and goth-punk subculture tends to emulate aspects of 19-th century Victorian culture. Additionally, the "Gothic" elements draw from literary elements prevalent in that era, known as Gothic fiction.

"...the term "Gothic" became linked with an appreciation of the joys of extreme emotion, the thrill of fearfulness and awe inherent in the sublime, and a quest for atmosphere."

Vampire and undead fiction are often incorporated, but are not required. At the core of Gothic literature is the idea of desolation, and hopelessness, not necessarily the horrific, monstrous elements.

By combining the fashion elements with the literary elements, the effort was to project the darker elements of the two. The choice of fingernail adornment is mostly just fashion accessorizing. The black is simply another nod to the elements of desolation, as black is associated with such concepts.

Answer 2

I was a goth for 9 years and it never meant anything.

Answer 3

I have been in the life style for years and I have never heard of any rules of coloration. It might be a localized thing but on a whole nothing that I am aware of.
CHEWY