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According to reports, Sylvester Stallone is gearing up for another installment of ‘The Expendables’ which promises to be meaner and cooler than ever. While there’s no dearth of bulging veins and biceps on celluloid, one can’t get enough of the insanely cool rings merchandise that the franchise made popular.

Skull rings are nothing novel. They have been around for decades, possibly more. But their popularity has skyrocketed in recent times thanks to a celeb obsessed generation that peers into the fashion trends followed by celebs.

And Hollywood’s obsession with the skull shows no sign of waning anytime soon. But it’s not just Hollywood. Sportsmen, rock stars, pop icons and even the average joe loves to sport the skull.

What is it about the skull that makes it so popular among both masses and classes?

Today, we analyze the reason behind the undying obsession with the skull and also show you some of the celebs who sport it like a boss on their fingers.

The symbolism behind the skull

Most people associate skull rings with leather clad biker gangs and the subcultures of the 70s that undoubtedly played a key role in making it a popular fashion accessory.

But the symbolism behind the skull in jewelry dates much earlier.

It is believed that the use of the human skull as an ornate object dates to the early 14th century when it was common to use the skull of the enemy as a sign of victory in war.

The practice is said to have originated in England but soon spread to other parts of the world.

Art was always inspired by the macabre and the skull with its deep rooted historical use associated with mortality and death has been a continual inspiration to portray various emotions. Shakespeare has used it repeatedly in his work. So have Venetian painters in the 16th century. It eventually graduated into symbolizing danger and various additions like the cross bone and the wings were added to it. The wings in particular, symbolizes after life.The rise in popularity in recent times has nothing to do with the history and the symbolism though, and everything to do with the uniqueness that it brings to the wearer.