Biker jewelry has been a hot trend since the 1980s, when hitherto niche pieces caught the eye of fashion designers, celebrities, and the casual fashion crowd. Since then, it has never really been out of vogue. But how well do you know what you wear? Not well at all? Then this post is exactly the right thing. Keep on reading to learn more about the roots of motorcycle jewelry, which symbols inspire it, and why.
History and Philosophy of Motorcycle Subculture
The biker subculture originated in the post-world war II USA. It is not known for sure, but by many accounts, the first biker club was founded by American airmen who had just returned home from the European battlefields. Over the next two decades, the biker movement spread all over the United States and then took the world by storm.
As for jewelry specifically, the first items that can be labeled as ‘biker’ were created in Mexico. Due to a revolution and political turmoil that lasted more than 30 years, the country experienced severe inflation. Its currency, Peso, hit the rock bottom. In order to somehow survive, people started melting down coins and crafting jewelry from the alloy. Local motorcyclists and especially American bikers gladly bought these handcrafted pieces. In addition to being pretty hefty, Mexican rings featured curious symbols and imagery, which later laid a foundation of motorcycle subculture symbolism: skulls, eagles, scorpions, Indian warriors and deities, and so on.
Bikers are not just motorcycle enthusiasts. Being a biker means sticking to certain philosophies and principles, and not surprisingly, a lot of them can be seen through the lens of jewelry. Some of these fundamental principles are
- solidarity and, at the same time, respect for the individuality of each member of the biker community;
- complete freedom;
- honor, respect, and mutual assistance;
- loyalty to traditions and customs;
- bearing responsibility for one’s actions;
- taking care of motorcycles and giving them individual features.
The philosophy of the biker community is akin to the principles adopted in wolf packs. Hence, it is not uncommon to see wolf images in biker jewelry. Wolves are strong and obstinate animals able to live in packs and survive on their own. They are noble and proud predators. In the event of danger, they can stand up for themselves and protect the members of their families. Bikers are wolves in a human form.
Features of Biker Jewelry
Bikers wear the same assortment of jewelry (rings, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, body piercing, etc. – find out many cool pieces at http://www.bikerringshop.com) as regular fashionistas. However, imposing size and unique set of symbols distinguish biker jewelry from its counterparts. One of the most peculiar and even worrisome symbols of the biker movement is the Iron Cross. If you say “Wait a minute, wasn’t it a prestigious award in the Nazi Army” you will be absolutely right. However, bikers wear Iron Crosses not because they admire the ultra-right ideology. On the contrary, historically, they fought against it. Do you remember that the first motorcycle clubs were comprised of WWII veterans? While still being soldiers, they picked up the medals of defeated enemies as trophies. Upon returning home and facing new realities, they began to wear Iron Crosses as a symbol of protest and nonconformity. Today, although bikers remained rebellious by nature, this meaning has mostly lost its relevance. Instead, the Iron Cross became a symbol of masculinity, honor, and heroism.
As we have already noted, bikers often associate themselves with animals. It is not uncommon to use animal symbolism in motorcycle club paraphernalia as well as jewelry. Here are a few popular symbols from the world of fauna and what they may denote:
- tigers symbolize strength and power;
- cheetahs are associated with speed and agility;
- the phoenix is a symbol of immortality;
- an eagle refers to freedom and spirit;
- wolves represent fearlessness and wisdom.
As for other common symbols, skulls play a special role for riders and as a result, many of them wear a Skull Ring. Although most people think of death, hostility, or danger when they see a skull, the meaning of this image is much more complex. For our ancestors, for example, the skull was a talisman against evil as well as a symbol of life and resurrection. In the biker system of symbols specifically, a skull is protection against death. The one who wears it will never cross paths with the Grim Reaper.
Overall, the symbols of protection, power, and strength are the staples of biker jewelry, and these symbols come from different cultures and epochs. For instance, Scandinavia folklore gave bikers the images of Vikings, their rune-embellished axes and hammers, horned helmets, and other images that represent courage, bravery, boldness, and assertiveness. The same Scandinavian culture lent the figures of its deities – the wise and all-mighty Odin, the strong and just Thor, the beautiful and reasonable Hera, the prankster Loki, and many others. Gods and deities of other cultures (Ancient Egyptian, Greek, Aztec, Indian, etc.) aren’t ignored either. These images emphasize the self-proclaimed nobility inherent in motorcycle riders as well as double as amulets and talismans.