Totenkopf (i.e.
skull, literally
dead's head) is the
German word for the
skull and crossbones and
death's head symbols. The Totenkopf symbol is an old international symbol for death, the defiance of death, danger, or the dead, as well as
piracy. It consists usually of the
human skull with or without the
mandible and often includes two crossed long-bones (
femurs), most often depicted with the crossbones being
behind some part of the skull.