Hell’s Angels

The “Hell’s Angels” are a motorcycle club which originated from the Unites States but has now spread internationally, and whose members are famously known for riding Harley Davidson motorcycles.

The “Hell’s Angels” have a reputation of being a society revolving around organized crime and often makes the news for involvement in drug use and possession, weapons, theft and violence. The organization therefore has a reputation for being a “notorious gang” made up of intimidating and dangerous individuals.

Recently, the Hell’s Angels were in the news for giving back to the community during the American Thanksgiving weekend. Hell’s Angels’ members in California bought out all the bikes in their local Walmart and donated them to needy children for Christmas. Contradicting the negative image the group has, this was an act of kindness and consideration.

The Hell’s Angels encompass many aspects of the intersectionality of religion and violence. By using the symbol of Hell, assumed in the Christian context- in their name and logo- the group associate themselves with the image of Satan based on the Christian stories, one who defies rules and acts on desire, creating mischief and trouble in the process. The group also makes reference to the religious symbol of angels and create a strong contradiction, making a subliminal religious statement by playing on the two ideas of heaven and hell.

According to their official website, the “Hell’s Angel” title was supposedly adopted after the 1926 movie under the same name, about a WW1 fictional fighter squad by Howard Hughes. This is a neutral reason for the naming of this organization, compared to what I assumed the history behind the name would be. This is due to the fact that the title “Hell’s Angels” has a strong religious significance. The image of an angel is associated with peace, virtue and purity. Opposing this, hell creates an imagery of punishment, rebellion and desire.By directly comparing and incorporating the two binary concepts of heaven and hell and contradicting itself in that manner creates a strong religious statement.

A title which encompasses both sides of the spectrum in terms of religions significance is probably in place to create a statement and a balance. I would assume this name is performing in itself, the idea that an individual can act on their desire and break the law like a devil, but be true to themselves and as evident in the Christmas bike donation example, give back to society and be a helping hand, like an angel. By giving themself the name of “Hell’s Angels” they almost justify their violent behaviour and image by symbolising that they are from “Hell”.

The Hell’s Angels’ logo itself represents this balance by having both red- the color assisted with hell, and white- the color associated with angels, within it.

The Hell’s Angels could be seen as a criminal like satanic group who perform gang-like violent activities, or simply a group of men who share their passion for adventure, thrill and motorbikes. Regardless, the image that the group gives off creates assumptions that viewers and citizens have of the motor cycle group, due to their reputation in the media and public image and logos which hold a strong religious significance and symbolism.

References

Bain-Selbo, Eric. “On The Sacred Power of Violence in Popular Culture” In Understanding Religion and Popular Culture: Theories, Products, and Practices. Ed. Terry Ray Clark and Dan W. Clanton, 72–88. New York: Routledge, 2012.