What does a skull represent?

Question

What does a skull represent?
I am ether getting a skull tattoo between my shoulder blades (front view of a skull)

or

a skull on one or both shoulders (side view)

I have a lot of interest in death and the occult but mainly death, but no in a gothic way. actually I want the tattoo I get to look as real as possible not any thing morbid or funny just a human skull.

so other than death do you know what a skull would represent?

Answer 1

The head with no skin or innards.

Answer 2

The skull represents rebirth, not death. In the ancient western symbolism it represents a new life and a new beginning. In other sytems (Eastern) it is a warning, used to ward off demonic or otherworldy beings.
Skulls are sweet!

Answer 3

The skull is generally recognised as a symbol of death, hence the skull and cross bones flag flaunted by pirates.

Answer 4

When I think of a skull I think of death, and history...skulls are what is left of the past, strong and mysterious.

Answer 5

Pirates, flesh eating disease, an interest in medicine, or any number of things...it represents what you think it represents.

I have a superman crest tatt that most believe is an ego thing for me...they don't realize, at first glance, that it represents my youngest daughter as she loves the flying boy in blue.

Answer 6

A head without the skin and gooey innards

Answer 7

Death and mortality, of course, but it is also symbolic of change.

I usually hate Wikipedia, but this site has some info you might like: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skull_(symbolism)

Answer 8

Pirates.

Answer 9

The hard bony shell that houses the brain of most mammals.

Answer 10

i cant imagine it meaning much more then death.