Mysteries Unrevealed

WHO IS A GOTH ???????????WHO IS A GOTH ???????????

GOTHS are those people who have an interest in the GOTHS are those people who have an interest in the darker side of life - be that black comedy, horror darker side of life - be that black comedy, horror films, Romantic dress, the supernatural, or just films, Romantic dress, the supernatural, or just

music that has been, for whatever reason, labeled music that has been, for whatever reason, labeled 'gothic'.'gothic'.

Things Associated with Goths

Its unique music, art and literature.

The use of extreme black clothing, light colored makeup, unusual hair styles, body piercing etc.

A fascination with medieval, Victorian and Edwardian history.

Things Associated with Goths Wearing of symbols such as a Christian cross; an

Egyptian ankh or "Eye of Ra," or "Eye of Horus;" a Wiccan pentacle, a Satanic inverted pentacle. etc.

History & Background The Goths (Gothic: , Gutans) were East Germanic

tribes who, in the 3rd and 4th centuries, harried the Roman Empire and later adopted Arianism (a form of Christianity).

In the 5th and 6th centuries, divided as the Visigoths and the Ostrogoths, they established powerful successor-states of the Roman Empire in the Iberian peninsula and Italy

Interestingly Old Norse records do not separate the Goths from the Gutar (Gotlanders) and both are called Gotar in Old West Norse.

History & Background The Gotlanders are the population of the island

of Gotland.

In Swedish, they are also called Gutar an ethnonym identical to Goths (Gutans),

And both names were originally Proto-Germanic *Gutaniz. Their language is called Gutnish (Gutniska).

The Old East Norse term for both Goths and Gotlanders seems to have been Gutar (for instance in the Gutasaga and in the runic inscription of the Rökstone). However the Geats are clearly distinguished from the Goths/Gutar in both Old Norse and Old English literature.

The Gutasaga is a saga treating the history of Gotland before its Christianization. It was recorded in the 13th century and survives in only a single manuscript, the Codex Holm. B 64, dating to ca. 1350, kept at the Swedish Royal Library in Stockholm) together with the Gutalag, the legal code of Gotland. It was written in the Old Gutnish dialect of Old Norse.

History and Timeline

The new era of Gothic Culture

GOTH TYPESGOTH TYPESROMANTIC GOTH:ROMANTIC GOTH:

Attitude: My capacity for love is certainly greater than this mortal Attitude: My capacity for love is certainly greater than this mortal coil can bear. coil can bear.

Clothes: Anything with lace and frills: Clothes: Anything with lace and frills: Edwardian, Victorian, , renaissance. renaissance.

MOPEY GOTHMOPEY GOTHAttitude: Gentle people always perish in an unkind world. Attitude: Gentle people always perish in an unkind world.

Clothes: Clothes: romantic, , modern. .

FETISH GOTHFETISH GOTHAttitude: Gentle people are excellent for spanking. Attitude: Gentle people are excellent for spanking.

Clothes: Clothes: leather, PVC, fishnet, chains..

RAVER GOTHRAVER GOTH

Attitude: If it don't glow, it don't show. Attitude: If it don't glow, it don't show.

Clothes: phat pants, t-shirts, tank tops, flourescent thingies Clothes: phat pants, t-shirts, tank tops, flourescent thingies

RAVER GOTHattitude: If it don't glow, it don't show. clothes: phat pants, t-shirts, tank tops, flourescent thingies GOTH GEEKattitude: It's better than being a plain geek. clothes: modern VAMPIRE GOTHattitude: Vampires are cool. clothes: formal, jetset, romantic. REN FAIRE GOTHattitude: The Renaissance Faire and role-playing games are cool. clothes: medieval, renaissance, Scottish.

Other Dark People :DEATHROCKERS , RIVETHEADS , METALHEADS , WEEKENDERS

GOTH STEREOTYPESGOTH STEREOTYPES Age: Age:

Goths are timeless. Goths are timeless. Behaviour: Behaviour:

Broody, dramatic, sensual, given to excessive Broody, dramatic, sensual, given to excessive romanticismromanticism

Climate:Climate:

Cool, damp, and dark.Cool, damp, and dark. Intelligence:Intelligence:

Strangely above averageStrangely above average Favourite Colour:Favourite Colour:

BlackBlack

Literature:19th century romance and horror, Anne Rice, Neil Gaiman

Major:Humanities: art, literature, psychology, etc.

Music:Gothic

Natural: Habitat:

Ocemetaries, cafés, bookstores, libraries, laboratories, the internet, And the incredibly dark and evil gothic nightclub (spooky spooky) Tourists beware!

Natural Range:Northern Europe and English-speaking countries. England and Germany are the two cultural focii.

Occupation:Artist, computer-related, literature-related, student, clerk

Race:Any  (but being pale is a big plus)

Religion:None, any

WHY DO PEOPLE BECOME WHY DO PEOPLE BECOME GOTHS ?????GOTHS ?????

Goths are “FREE THINKERS” .Goths are “FREE THINKERS” . They do not accept the moral rules of They do not accept the moral rules of

society and hence are spurned by society and hence are spurned by ‘normal’ society . They always make up ‘normal’ society . They always make up their own mind .their own mind .

Many goths today are goths because Many goths today are goths because they like the music, or the clubs are they like the music, or the clubs are better, they have goth friends and joined better, they have goth friends and joined in with them, or they just like staying up in with them, or they just like staying up late nights .late nights .

Goths not supportive of violence and hate, but rather with tolerance.

Many in the media have incorrectly associated the Goth subculture with violence, hatred of minorities, white supremacy, and other acts of hate.

MISCONCEPTION ABOUT GOTHS

APOLITICAL NATUREAPOLITICAL NATURE

Goths have generally apolitical nature . Goths have generally apolitical nature . Goth ideology is based far more on Goth ideology is based far more on aesthetics than than ethics or or politics . The . The subculture is marked by its emphasis on :subculture is marked by its emphasis on :

IndividualismIndividualism Tolerance for diversityTolerance for diversity a strong emphasis on creativitya strong emphasis on creativity tendency toward intellectualism tendency toward intellectualism a dislike of social conservatisma dislike of social conservatism a mild tendency towards cynicism a mild tendency towards cynicism

THEY THINK WEIRDTHEY THINK WEIRD

Most subjects that are taboo in 'normal' Most subjects that are taboo in 'normal' society are freely discussed and debated society are freely discussed and debated about like death, religion, magic, about like death, religion, magic, mysticism, and many others .mysticism, and many others .

Goths often revel in the fear given to them Goths often revel in the fear given to them by society as a whole. Often the behavior by society as a whole. Often the behavior exhibited by society to them based on exhibited by society to them based on society's perception of them from society's perception of them from stereotypes, rumour, etc are a constant stereotypes, rumour, etc are a constant source of entertainment.source of entertainment.

Goths are all too often tempted to try for Goths are all too often tempted to try for the shock factor . the shock factor .

THE GOTHIC CULTURETHE GOTHIC CULTURE

What is the Goth culture?It is basically indefinable, because "Goth" means different things to each follower. Many adopt unusual fashions in order to separate themselves from other youth. Gordon A. Crews, associate dean of the School of Justice Studies at Roger Williams University in Bristol, CT is an investigator of what he calls the "occult" which-- in his opinion -- includes the Goth culture. He said: "It is up to the individual to define what Goth is for themselves ... The mentality is, 'I want to be left alone but I want to be seen. I want to see the shock on other peoples' faces."

Gothic fiction is an important genre of literature that combines elements of both horror and romance. As a genre, it is generally believed to have been invented by the English author Horace Walpole, with his 1764 novel The Castle of Otranto. The effect of Gothic fiction depends on a pleasing sort of terror, an extension of essentially Romantic literary pleasures that were relatively new at the time of Walpole's novel.

The Goths were one of the most important "barbarian" tribes responsible for the downfall of the Roman Empire and the politics of early Medieval Europe. By the 4th century CE, the Goths were becoming Christianized. At this time, the Goths wrote their language using their version of the Futhark alphabet, but it was deemed to be a pagan invention. Except for a few Norse inscriptions in runes, records of Gothic are older than those for any other Germanic language.

RELIGIONRELIGION Many Goths reflect popular culture and Many Goths reflect popular culture and are probably nominal or devout Christians.are probably nominal or devout Christians. Generally it is said that the Goths follow Generally it is said that the Goths follow anti-Christianity.anti-Christianity.

Others wear New Age/ancient Egyptian Others wear New Age/ancient Egyptian Ankh symbols.Ankh symbols. Some do this as expression of their religionsSome do this as expression of their religions beliefs, some for satire, and others becausebeliefs, some for satire, and others because they like their appearance. they like their appearance. Goths often wear Christian crosses or Christian Goths often wear Christian crosses or Christian crucifixes, which many regard as a pre-Christiancrucifixes, which many regard as a pre-Christian religious symbol.religious symbol.

GOTHIC ARTGOTHIC ARTThe gothic art evolved from The gothic art evolved from ROMANESQUE ART ROMANESQUE ART and lasted from and lasted from the mid-12the mid-12thth century to the end of the 15 century to the end of the 15thth century. century.Goths are well known for their unique art and architecture.Goths are well known for their unique art and architecture.

GOTHIC LITERATUREGOTHIC LITERATURE the great cathedrals of Northern Europe arethe great cathedrals of Northern Europe are

the loftiest form of expression is architecture, the loftiest form of expression is architecture, Sculpture was closely tied to architecture and Sculpture was closely tied to architecture and

often used to decorate the exteriors of cathedralsoften used to decorate the exteriors of cathedrals

and other religious buildings.and other religious buildings.

In the 12In the 12thth – 13 – 13thth centuries, feats of centuries, feats of

engineering permitted increasingly engineering permitted increasingly

gigantic buildings.gigantic buildings.

The rib-vault, FLYING BUTTRESS,The rib-vault, FLYING BUTTRESS,

and pointed (Gothic) arch were usedand pointed (Gothic) arch were used

as solutions to the problem of building as solutions to the problem of building

very tall structure while preserving asvery tall structure while preserving as

much natural light as possible.much natural light as possible.

Strawberry Hill, an English villa in

the "Gothic revival" style, built by seminal Gothic writer Horace Walpole

In a way similar to the gothic revivalists' rejection of the clarity and rationalism of the neoclassical style of the Enlightened Establishment, the term "gothic" became linked with an appreciation of the joys of extreme emotion, the thrill of fearfulness and awe inherent in the sublime, and a quest for atmosphere. The ruins of gothic buildings gave rise to multiple linked emotions by representing the inevitable decay and collapse of human creations— thus the urge to add fake ruins as eye catchers in English landscape parks. English Protestants often associated medieval buildings with what they saw as a dark and terrifying period, characterized by harsh laws enforced by torture, and with mysterious, fantastic and superstitious rituals.

THE GOTHIC MOVIESProminent features of Gothic fiction

include terror (both psychological and physical), mystery, the supernatural, ghosts, haunted houses and Gothic architecture, castles, darkness, death, decay, doubles, madness, secrets and hereditary curses.The stock characters of Gothic fiction include tyrants, villains, bandits, maniacs, Byronic heroes, persecuted maidens, femmes fatales, madwomen, magicians, vampires, werewolves, monsters, demons, revenants, ghosts, perambulating skeletons, the Wandering Jew and the Devil himself.

Gothic RockIt is the type of music perceived by people following gothic culture

(Origin Late 1970’s)

•Bands of genre referred as positive punk.

•Separated from punk rock in late 1980’s.

Deals with dark themes and

intellectual movements such as:-

Gothic horror

Romanticism

Existential philosophy

Nihilism

Psychedelic Rock(1960’s)

Gothic Rock’s Earliest influence

First known gothic band

Use of gothic aesthetics grew wider, symbols like

Black color

Death

Insanitywere widely used in 1960’s music, famous bands The Beatles and The Rolling Stones also used such references.

THE DOORS

Front man Jim Morrison

Hid dark enigmatic aura influenced

later front men such as

Ian Astbury Rozz Williams Wayne Hussey

Glam Rock(1970’s)The period had many influential artists, most was David Bowie both musically and visually.

Bowie brought in an androgynous look which would later be adopted by many bands .

His music was particularly melodramatic and had some dark themes

Bowie described his 1974 album "Diamond Dogs" as "gothic".

First Generation(1979-1985)Not associated with Gothic subculture

Fans of bands in the genre were associated with styles such as punk rock, post-punk and new wave.

Bands started creating their own record labels.

Most gothic rock groups were from England, but bands were emerging from other countries like

Christian Death (Los Angeles) The Virgin Prunes (Ireland) Xmal Deutschland (Germany)

Second generation (1985–1995)Cross-pollination between the European goth subcultures, the Death Rock movement, and the New Romantic (New Wave) movement.Rise of alternative rock music mirrored by riseof gothic rock. Example are bands like

The Sisters of Mercy Fields of the Nephilim (1984) New version of Christian Death (1985) The Mission (1986)

The term Goths and style began to be noticed in the mainstream British publications like Face and the NME.

FanzinesThe major achievement of the second generation was development of Fanzines

A fanzine is a non-professional publication produced by fans of a particular cultural phenomenon (such as a musical genre) for the pleasure of others who share their interest.

Typically, publishers, editors and contributors to fanzines receive no financial compensation

Earlier magazines such as Permission were allied to the punk roots of Goth, while later magazines such as Carpe Noctem focused more on the lace-and-poetry romantic sound.

Third Generation(1995-Present)

Thanks to internet communities and broader CD distribution, fans of the genre were no longer regionally based, the music was becoming more globalized than before.

The formerly underground sub-cultural aesthetic of goth was incorporated into the sound and image of several popular mainstream bands such as HIM, Marilyn Manson, and more recently Evanescence

although these bands did not produce goth rock.

The term "goth" became associated in the public's mind with these mainstream bands.

ConclusionThough the goth rock has diminished in popularity and its record sales have fallen off, there are still events, labels, and publications supporting it.

Dancing Ferret Discs, Projekt Records, and Metropolis Records are releasing goth music in the American market.

New Gothic Music is being produced by European labels like Strobelight Records, while Cherry Red has been reissuing early goth rock recordings.

Gothic FashionClothing style worn by members of the Goth subculture

Stereotyped as

Dark

Morbid

Eroticized Fashion

Mainly Includes Dark Clothing & Light colored make-up

Hair styles

Tattoos

Piercing

Depicts one’s commitment towards the sub-culture

Core is individual taste, as it attempts to subvert mainstream conventions of how one must look

Among traditional female Goths, tight-fitting trousers and boots with a slight military look are quite popular.

As opposed in most other subcultures gothic males almost wear as much makeup as the females.

Male Goths may be seen in skirts, dresses, corsets, and other culturally female attire

Gothic Fashion ShowsAs the size and sophistication of the goth apparel industry has grown, in many places goth-specific fashion shows have sprung up

The mainstream fashion world pays little regard to goth fashion, and therefore independent gothic fashion events, are necessary for goth designers to show their designs on the catwalk

Edge City, a large goth/alternative fashion show in Sydney, Australia

Because of their rejection from 'normal' society, Because of their rejection from 'normal' society, GOTHSGOTHS have have banded together to associate with other free thinkers. This has a banded together to associate with other free thinkers. This has a beneficial effect on both the individual and society as a whole. beneficial effect on both the individual and society as a whole. For the individual they have a sense of belonging, and friends For the individual they have a sense of belonging, and friends

they can associate with. For society it removes one more misfit they can associate with. For society it removes one more misfit filled with rage from society's streets.filled with rage from society's streets.

Cambridge Goth Society was set-up to give anyone Cambridge Goth Society was set-up to give anyone interested in gothic culture a place to meet other interested in gothic culture a place to meet other

like-minded souls, to discuss gothic music, literature, like-minded souls, to discuss gothic music, literature, film and lifestyle and to provide information on film and lifestyle and to provide information on

related events in and around Cambridge.related events in and around Cambridge.

GothSoc is an unofficial, student-run society.

Anyone! You don't have to be a student, or even from Cambridge. You don't even have to be a goth - just friendly and open minded.

The Varma Goths Literary SocietyThe Varma Goths Literary Society is an organization of university and college undergraduates and graduates of all majors who are interested in and who meet to discuss horror literature, fantasy, and science fiction. The members are known as ‘ Varma Goths’. Activities : Members of The Varma Goths Literary Society meet regularly to read and discuss literature of the fantastic, classic and modern. A meeting may have a topic to discuss, or the group may be working its way through the major works of an author such as Stephen King, Sir Arthur Clarke, Bram Stoker, Anne Rice, or Dame Connie Willis.Varma Goths plan and produce literary public programs and conferences and hold other activities which support the literary aim of the Society which is to promote literature of the fantastic.The Varma Goths Literary Society maintains its focus on the genre of literature of the fantastic.The Society functions in groups known as "Castles.“

Utah G.O.T.H.I.C.S.Gothic Organization To Help In

Community Service

The Gothic Organization To Help In Community Service is a group of socially conscious and concerned individuals who are interested in

effecting positive change in our community. We currently have about 20 members. We volunteer to help other organizations by raising

money and providing the personnel for projects.

Goals

To get others in the Gothic scene interested in contributing to their community by pooling the talents and resources of

those within the scene. We want to provide them a way to do something good in an environment where they can feel

comfortable. To promote a positive and life-affirming image for our

otherwise poorly-received and often misunderstood social group.

It is one of the largest web portal that combines hundreds of Goth communities from all over the World . It also

provides necessary information about the Gothic Culture and Society.

The major communities are divided as under :

Africa Australia / Asia / PacificEurope / Russia / Middle East North America: Canada & USA States . South America & Mexico

Some of the communities in various countries are :

Australiagothic.net.au Gottencog

AsiaGoth in AsiaTokyo Goth and Darkwave

New ZealandG.U.N.Z   :Gothic Underground New Zealand

FranceLe Bal des Vampires  :Gothic Indus Electro in

ParisGermany

SchreiSchwarze Szene Wave-Gothik-Treffen 2001Germany (German

site)Italy

GothiclandLa Magione di ANKHNeo GothicSlowBurnThe D Side

South AmericaDarklandGothic FuneralGothic Life in Buenos AiresRed GóticaSepia Zine

United KingdomBirmingham

Universities Gothic SocietyBrumGothCarnival of SoulsEdG&RGoths of DerbyHelixLeicester GothsRabbleSteele Rose IndustriesStoke GothicTaintedThe SlaghuisThe Taipan CommuneUK GothicWhitby Gothic

WeekendNew York

Albany Goths Mailing List

Gothic RochesterIn-Clubs NYCNYC Events PageNYC GothNYCGOTH.NETPHL-NYCgoffs

UtahNightshift, the guide to Utah's darksideUtah GOTHICS

UNITY gatherings were far more than mere parties. They were events that occurred on full moon Saturdays and had special meaning to both patrons who attended and organizers, who spent much time in meticulous planning, organizing and decorating. Each event was the realization of a story or legend. The living out of a fantasy, that carried within it a special message and followed in sequence according to time and circumstance. The Unity Gatherings had the largest budget and were the best attended functions of their sort, in South Africa during their time…they will live forever in the hearts and minds of those who participated.

FAQS

ABOUT

GOTHS

 Are goths evil?

Goths consider themselves witnesses of the horrific. The media interprets this as meaning they are the perpetrators. Goths are peaceful and respectful in a way

that would put most norms to shame. Do goths think they are/want to be vampires?

No. Some goths think that vampires are very cool, others think the whole concept is stupid. In general, goths are not crazy. There are always fringe people that attract media attention, but this problem is not unique to the gothic world.

Are goths religious? Some are, some aren't. All goths are in love with religious imagery, though,

because of its power, darkness, and intangibilty. Is goth a fad?

Goth culture has been around for 20 years and is showing no sign of waning. However, some say that dark themes tend to appear and disappear at the end of an era, much as was seen in the gothic movement in literature at the end of the

19th century.Mainstream interest/tourism/purchasing in the gothic world is certainly fad-based,

and tends to come and go. Is goth a movement?

Artistically, yes. Socially, probably not. Goths don't try to recruit normal people and they don't care whether the mainstream appropriates aspects of gothic

culture. They mostly want to be left alone.It's widely believed that you can't learn to be goth; it's some personality type that

you either have or you don't.

Presented By:

•Saumil Srivastava

•Manjari Singh

•Divya

•Lokesh Gupta

•Puneet Bajaj

•Abhishek Surana

THANK YOU