Editing Skull and crossbones (section)

{{short description|Warning sign}}
{{about|the 'skull and crossbones' symbol|other uses}}
{{Infobox symbol
|mark=☠🕱
|name= Skull and crossbones
|unicode= {{unichar|2620|skull and crossbones|html=}}<br />{{unichar|1F571|black skull and crossbones|html=}}
|see also = {{unichar|2623|biohazard sign |nlink = Biological hazard}}<br />{{unichar|2622|radioactive sign | nlink=Hazard symbol#Ionizing radiation symbol}}
}}
{{Contains special characters|Uncommon Unicode}}
A '''skull and crossbones''' is a [[symbol]] consisting of a [[human skull]] and two [[long bone]]s crossed together under or behind the skull.<ref name="Merriam-webster">{{Cite web|url=https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skull%20and%20crossbones|title=Dictionary and Thesaurus|website=Merriam-webster.com}}</ref> The design originated in the [[Late Middle Ages]] as a symbol of [[death]] and especially as a ''[[memento mori]]'' on tombstones. Actual skulls and bones were long used to mark the entrances to [[Skull and crossbones (Spanish cemetery)|Spanish cemeteries (campo santo)]].

In modern contexts, it is generally used as a [[hazard symbol]], usually in regard to [[poison]]ous substances, such as deadly chemicals.<ref name="Merriam-webster"/>

It is also associated with [[piracy]] and [[software piracy]], due to its historical use in some [[Jolly Roger]] flags.