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The skull and crossbones is a symbol consisting of two bones crossed under or behind a skull. This symbol is generally used to represent poison or death, and also has a heavy association with pirates. (Technically, it began as a symbol among the Knights Templar signifying a death, but pirates later co-opted the symbol as an intimidation tactic towards Templar ships.)

If the design has something other than a skull, use crossbones instead.

For a symbolic skull without the crossed bones, see skull symbol.

Contexts for Skull and Crossbones Symbols

• Indicates poisonous or deadly objects, such as a bomb or deadly chemical
• A fashion statement, especially in punk or goth styles
• Piracy — usually seen on flags, hats worn by characters who are pirates, or weapons they wield

• As iconography — expressing concepts that are hard to show visually such as a character's emotions or physical status:
• A character being dead, dying or feeling like they're dying (may be combined with x eyes
• An angry character with violent and/or threatening intent
• that something is poisonous but as an icon, e.g. a green cloud in the shape of a skull and crossbones wafting off of poisoned food
• in a similar way, to indicate extremely unpleasant smells

More Information

Skull and crossbones (Wikipedia)