Define Goths Meaning

A "Goth" is, loosely speaking, one who decides to separate from the mainstream culture for varying reasons (such as dissatisfaction with modern society, a will to be different, or just a liking to the styles whether it be music or visual or social).

Goths are not defined as someone who slashes their own wrists or sets fires to schools, that is what is called a masochist, vandal or sadist. A Goth, in modern society, is merely a lifestyle.

Although their image and demeanor consistently appears cold and reclusive, this is but a shell and Goths are more commonly found to be nicer than the 'average' stranger, due to their tendency to have intellectual/educated backgrounds, and artistic divulgences including the visual arts and musical talents.

A 'pure' Goth epitomizes beauty not in the way that you would say "wowzers she is A BEAUTY", but in the way that the ideal Goth strives for clear skin and pure complexion; the dark hair and garb serves to enhance the fair complexion of pure skin.

People carrying "Gothic" qualities does not relate whatsoever to their personality and/or attitudes towards other people, rather, their attitudes towards the many forms of art, community, and individuality.

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As you can probably tell by now, I myself am a Goth. And a Christian (strange combination you say? *shrugs*). I don't cut myself, I don't swear, I don't think offensively of other people of all shapes and sizes (and colours et cetera) but I strive to be Me in a world where everyone and everything is just a copy of a copy of a copy..

There is freedom of speech, there is freedom of personality, and a natural Goth embraces the freedom of image.

I. The Gothic personality.
Generally speaking, true Goths are intelligent, artistic individuals with an almost fanatic reverence for the arts and all types of beauty. Many Goths possess certain qualities prior to their initial identification with the subculture or even their knowledge that it exists; some of these qualities include thoughtfulness, creativity, intelligence, shyness, and an introspective nature.
II. The Gothic philosophy.
I will strive to sum this up in as few words as possible. The Gothic subculture is based on the idea of finding beauty and light in all those things dark, grotesque, tragic, and sorrowful. The seeming fixation with Death is an example of this; Goths embrace things that cause fear and revulsion in mainstream society, because in truth they are no less beautiful than their daylight counterparts.
If any among you wishes to further enlighten him or herself, I suggest the study of old Gothic literature, the very best of which is exemplified in the works of Dante, Shelley, Byron, Lovecraft, and Poe.
III. Gothic music.
The term "Gothic" was, to my knowledge, first used to describe the emerging subculture by the band Joy Division in the late 70's. Along with Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Sisters of Mercy, and The Cure, this band helped establish Gothic as a musical genre. The Gothic sound is characterized by dark, brooding, strange music that can sound cacophonous to the uninitiated. Some other notable Goth bands include Switchblade Symphony, Dead Can Dance, This Mortal Coil, and Christian Death. By the way, bands that are widely mislabeled as being Gothic, yet are NOT, include (to name a few): Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails, Type O Negative, Evanescence.
IV. Gothic attire.
Most people know that Goths favor black if they know anything at all. There are so many different styles of dress among Goths that I dare not attempt a complete list; here are some of the most commonly worn materials and articles of clothing among Goths: velvet, silk, fishnet stockings, PVC, brocade, lace, LOTS of boots, things with buckles, dark jewel tones such as purple and wine colored garments, gloves, very high heels, band T-shirts, chokers, corsets. Many Goths, especially the "old-school" Goths, will tease their hair mercilessly with crimpers and hairspray to achieve an "Edward Scissorhands" type of effect. Hair dye is, of course, widely used. Traditional Gothic makeup consists of stark-white powder, and black or dark eyeliner and lipstick. Men and women both have a tendency to pluck their eyebrows nearly out of existence, and then draw them back in. It goes without saying that a person who looks like this is not necessarily a Goth. This aesthetic, however, is an intrinsic part of the subculture and cannot be disregarded for its superficiality; Goths tend to thrive on artifice anyway.
V. Miscellaneous Information.
Goths are commonly found passing their free time in small coffee houses, book shops, art galleries, Gothic clubs, and, of course, cemeteries. Many Goths smoke; clove cigarettes are very popular with our crowd. Drugs of choice for those Goths who wish to indulge in the vice may include Speed, LSD, Alcohol, Ecstasy, and the like...I applaud those who abstain from drug use, for they have greater strength than my own. Goths frequently enjoy movies and television shows such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, The Hunger, Nosferatu, and The Addams Family. Goths do NOT eat bugs and drink blood; we eat Cheerios just like everyone else.
I myself have been a part of the subculture for a mere two years-- I am by no means a veteran of the Scene, but my passion for it is great and grows continuously. I hope that this definition has been useful. To know more, I suggest The Autumn Cemetery Text (available online... google it).

The word Goth has been used to describe several things over the years many of which are completely idiotic, whereas others are completely legitimate but surprising nonetheless.

A) The original Goths were an ancient East Germanic Scandinavia tribe. The Goths eventually split into two groups after migrating towards the Baltic Sea: The Visigoths and The Ostrogoths.
Though at one point in time the term Goth was used to describe barbarians (as that is what The Visigoths were famous for) that term is no longer used. Another import fact; neither the Visigoths or the Ostrogoths had their own religion, they were Germanic paganism and Arianism. Implication: Goth is not a religion.

B) Goth was also an old architectural style which began in the 12th century. (An example of this style is St. Denis Abbey or Westminster Abbey)

C) Goth can also used to describe literature. Gothic literature was dark romantic dating back to the 1700's. Two of the possibly most notable authors from the time were Edgar Allen Poe, and Mary Shelley.

D) The most common usage of the word Goth however is the description of a fan of Goth Rock and a member of the subculture. The subculture began primarily with the release of Bela Lugosi's Dead by Bauhaus though some beg to differ and say bands such as Joy Division and The Mission outdate Bauhaus. To belong to the gothic subculture appreciation of the music is essential, while there is more to the subculture than just the music, many people fail to realize that someone fashion choice or attitude does not necessarily make them Goth.

goths are just people like everyone else and just because were not what others think is "normal" were suppsoed to be some kind of freaks. we dont drink blood,we dont hate everything, and yes believe it or not we do laugh!
we dont do it for attenton, we do it because we are individuals.we are just people who like different things,and we dont need any other groups making us feel like were lower than them. just because they are small minded idiots that clearly have nothing better to do with there life but to make others feel stupid just because were different. whatever u are u have a right to be it.so ignore anyone else that tries to be "clever" by shouting dumb stuff at u.

Goth is not a label. Goth is a real culture that expresses the beauty in darkness and morbidity. Goths usually wear all black, the color of their soul. They don't just wear anything black, the black clothes are more unique and elegant. Some Goths go beyond the black clothes and they wear thick eyeliner and black lipstick. Some make their faces white like a ghost and dye their hair unnatural colors. Goths can be Satan worshippers, Atheists, Christians, Pagans, Wiccans, or any religion. There are some people who give Goths a bad name and other Goths call them posers, but that is simply not true. In a garden, though some vegetables may be rotten, that doesn't mean they aren't vegetables. And as for Goths and non-conformity, what does Goth have to do with non-conformity??? If people join the Gothic Culture just because they want to be non-conformists then that is a very bad reason to become Gothic. People can be Gothic and still be individuals. I'm a Goth and I'm also an individual and I don't try to be different because there isn't any point in it. And Goths aren't all attention seekers. Many of us just feel comfortable looking a certain way, even if we have thick eyeliner and black lipstick, a pale face, and green hair. Not all Goths are angst-filled morons who have their mind set on blowing up their school. Alot of Goths don't even go to school; there are many adult Goths as well as teens. And I hate the word poser. People call other Goths posers to make themselves feel good. It's name calling, that's all it is, and it's very puerile. Calling someone a poser is definitely a form of bullying and it needs to be stopped.

Goth is a kind of cultural movement, or anti-cultural even. They do not drink blood or sacrafice small children, nor do they eat bats and wear pvc and pale make up all the time.
Goths separate themselves from popular trends and fads only to find that goth itself is becoming a trend fast, goths aren't what they used to be.

I hate all you steriotpyical bastards! I am gothic, I do not hate everyone. I DO NOT WEAR MAKE UP! I do not think im a vampire, i do not worship satin, i do not hate people because they dont dress "goth" i do not hate preps just because they are preps. People just see a kid wearing all black clothes and chains and stuff like that and they all think "omfg! its a santin worshiper!" thats really dumb. Because all the goths I know are WAY cooler and nicer than the prepy kids I know. So stop being so god damn steriotypical before i go "GOTHIC" on you and suck your blood!

Conformist-anticonformist.

Hi, wow isn't this amazing i've just been told that i'm a goth and i should go and slit my wrists somewhere. How smart...
I get the labeling of 'greeb' 'emo' 'goth' etc all the time. Ok i admit i like the 'greebo' bands and clothing but i dont hang around in cemeteries or cut myself.
This is me... I have straight blonde hair and blue eyes, i like the word MIAOW!!! and my favorite top is bright yellow with a little skull on it. Ok i might pain my nails black occaisionally and have 'greebo' friends but honestly, don't judge people who dress differently than you...if you do then you're stupid and don't deserve to here me say MIAOW!

Yet another pointless label.

"Goths" are people that may wear black that May listen to death metal that may wear trench coats. However thats not what all goths wear. There are HUNDREDS of different catorgorys of goth.

Some may be depressed and selfharmers. Others are happy lovley people. Theres happy and depressive people in every sub culture so i dont understand why goths have such a bad reputation for being depressed.

I know many goths that DONT cut themselves that DONT worship satan that ARNT depressed. I get that alot of them are depressed ect but so are alot of townies/neds/scrotes/chavs.

Just because someone wears black it doesnt mean they are goths.

Stop giving them hassle because they want to be different. If you dont like the style dont wear it...simple...isnt it