In cultural art, I knew there must be a deeper message.

[Abraham Madu]

THE SKULL AND CROSSBONES SIGN IN A CHURCH?

By Rev. Fr. Angelo Chidi Unegbu

About six years ago, while celebrating Mass in a church in Germany, I was shocked to see a carving of a skull and crossbones inside the Church (for the first time)..

Growing up, this symbol meant danger, death, or something sinister. So, seeing it in a sacred place felt unsettling.

The carving dated back to 1928, but the Church itself is over 800 years old.

Surrounding a clock on the altar wall were three symbols:

 a skull and crossbones

 the scales of justice

a cock (rooster)

Looking closely, I saw the artist’s name, Anton Bahnmüller, boldly inscribed. As a historian interested in cultural art, I knew there must be a deeper message.

After some inquiry, here is what I discovered:

1. Skull and Crossbones : Memento Mori

It comes from the Latin Memento Mori, meaning “remember death” (cf. Psalm 90).

Throughout history, it has symbolized sacrifice, danger, bravery, and even Jesus’ victory over death. Ancient Mayans used it on sacrificial altars.

In 1850s Northern Europe, it appeared on rosaries to remind the faithful to pray for a good death.

2. Scales of Justice:

A reminder of the judgment that follows death.

3. The Cock (Rooster)(Okeọkpa Ọkụkọ na akwa akwa: Ọkịkọrọrọkọọọọọọọ!)

A symbol of watchfulness (cf. Matthew 25:13 — “Keep watch…”).

4. The Clock

A clear reminder that we do not know the day or the hour. So, we must always be prepared.

Now answer this question sincerely:

If you see the same symbol in an African shrine, would you have the patience to understand the message behind the art?

Many of us assume our ancestors “wrote nothing.”

But they did through symbols, art, carvings, and rituals.

We call them illiterate, yet we are the ones who cannot read what they wrote.

We call them uncivilised, yet they developed the languages, foods, and herbs we use till today.

Photos were taken by me.

Fada Angelo Chidi Unegbu

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Nna nna anyị ha na akwa akwa maka agwa anyi na akpa.

Daalụ.

Ị gburu ihe ewu na eri.

Ntị ọdị kwa?

Ya kpọtụba!

Ya gazie.

Ụmụ nne Abrahamụọgụ Aṇụsịobi Madụ.