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Very simple question for you folks.


What does "Goth" mean to you? Try and be as specific and detailed as possible.

The word "goth" means nothing to me, it is simply a label that one gives to someone with a different style of dressing, or makeup. i dont believe in labels and i dont think anyone should be labeled because they do something different than other people. thats my opinion only.

A goth is someone who rejects normality for individuality. They are open-minded, expressive free-thinkers.

This is an extract from a link that I will also add. It happens to be a favourite site of mine as it encompasses everything I believe....


This is probably the hardest question any goth could try and answer, one may as well ask 'what is society?' as it has so many facets it defies any definitive explanation.

Goth in its simplest form, is a subculture. A group of people who feel comfortable within each others company. There is no specific thing that defines what you need to do or be to fit into the goth scene (except of course the implied black clothing). People in the goth scene all have different musical tastes, follow different religions, have different occupations, hobbies, and fashion sense.

www.goth.net/goth.html

Goth is a lifestyle and a way of expressing oneself the way they choose to be through individuality and dress.. They are like minded and often taken for something a lil differant as well..

Goth is one and one thing only for me.


Goth is art.

But you wouldn't define the Gothic era as art

I wouldn't? You mean YOU probably wouldn't, but I would. Goth to me is nothing but art. It is a way of expression.

Goth to me is a culture and a " label." There are so many different explanations of Goth. If I were to choose, I would say that a Goth person enjoys artful things like music , poetry and art. They enjoy waring dark clothing,often medieval in style. The history of the name"Goth" goes back to the Germanic "Visigoth" tribes that overthrew the Roman Empire. There are many different definitions. I'm interested in seeing where this goes. I think it will be a good discussion.

Goth is how someone chooses to life thier life. Which it is not a bad thing. its just a label

Goth or gothic means to me, a person or group of people who desire to be different in several ways. By the way they dress, in lots of black, the color of make-up they wear, and the music they listen to.

Being a Goth does not make the person any less of a human being. I associate with all types of people, it tends to make life more fun.

it means Gothic an individual, could be art, or an ERA

Do not forget there are some people that also do not dress in all black and think of themselves as goth. For them it is the mindset of being different that matters. Though it does not mean they wont dress in all black if they could get the stuff or even if they had it just felt like it. They just do not do it all the time.

Goth To Me Means Being A Free Thinker,
To Always Ask Questions And Find Out Things for myself. Questions About Life, Right From Wrong.Religion And So Forth.
To Never Trust What Someone says, But Find Out For Myself.
And Having The Creativity To Dress The Way I Want As Well As Not Giving A Shit What Anyone Thinks About It.

well put nocturnal :)
to me it means to be of my own will and wear whatever i want to, say what i want and if anyone thinks that i need to participate in some tact101 classes then they can play in traffic....as soon as i get my car cranked :)

BTW, Goth is not dictated by age race or any standard other than being yourself no matter who you are

Goth to me is a Lifestyle and an Art that is very beautiful to me so I guess everyone has their own thoughts on Goth. that is mine :)

The most beautiful architecture in Western Europe is medieval gothic

I would say it is a number of things there really is no wrong answer to this question as it has been stated its an art.From the moment the word slipped someones lips it was art.From architectures to the people.

To be gothic is to stand out,To be different then as far the eye can see.
So the definition of what gothic would be is supremacy over one's self not to be afraid to stand out and wear what you want be who you want. A foot ball quarter back is gothic.In the basics of sense, as is that random up and coming film star.Or if you paint your bed room or decorate it a specific color or style it is being true to yourself and being free to look,act,feel, and over all stand out.

"goth" is simply just a word to explain somthing that others do not understand ex:preppy like goth it is just another lable that people choose to apply to others and i believe in labeling anyone each person is themselves and unique in thier own ways

To me goth is a lifestyle that some people choose to follow. They find beauty in things that other people find to be ugly. They enjoy the darker side of life. They are not depressed or suicidal and dont have to constantly wear black.

The term 'Goth' was used by Ian Astbury who described Andi Sex Gang as a 'gothic pixie' and popularised by the UK music magazines New Musical Express and Sounds (NME) and was used to describe a class of music. For some people that music became the basis for a 'way of life'. They brought their own backgrounds and interests along and a sub-culture was formed and it took for itself the name Gothic.

I just consider it a stereotype just a lable nothing more.

The history of the goth movement -

NME and Sounds reputedly took the term Gothic from Siouxsie Sioux (of the Banshees) who used it to describe the new direction for her band. However the earliest significant usage of the term (as applied to music) was by Anthony H. Wilson who was overcome by a rare moment of lucidity on a 1978 BBC TV program when he described Joy Division as Gothic compared with the pop mainstream. Perhaps Joy Division (who he was managing) are not what we now think of as Goth but it is possible that they are at the source of the term. Bauhaus were labelled as Gothic as early as 1979 when they released Bela Lugosi's Dead. More Info

In a nutshell, "goth" is an expression of people who belong in a subculture- primarily because they are dissatisfied with mainstream culture. This 'expression' usually inclines to the macabre, the supernatural, the morbid- or what is usually considered taboo by most- taking up the influences of gothic literature and goth bands of the late 1970-1980s. I personally believe that goth is more than just a fashion statement.

To me goth is simply the appreciation of darker beauty

I am considered goth and I have no issue with mainstream genre I have the understanding that its where everyone strives to be.So it can not be that when every label has their form of the occurrence hey they sold out.

Also goth was around way before any subculture from th 90's emerged or even in the 70's.

http://www.fordham.edu/HALSALL/ancient/jordanes-goths20.html
the above link shows an earlier settlement of the goth.

I forgot to indicate that my definition puts any 'barbaric tribe' associations aside.

malaka geat info where i am from they call you goth if you wear all black . they don't know anything about it

Just people trying to push away what they do not care to understand.

well it really depends on the context in witch its being used..

Goth / Gothic can mean a very detailed or ornately designed object with a certain look and or feel and this can include everything from candle sticks to castles. This style arose in the mid of the last century and became very popular through out Europe praticuraly in churches and cathedrails ..

In a more modern form Goth / Gothic has been used to denote a style of music and dress found in the underground scenes thought out the world. The style , dress and music change per region and country but over all has the same feel. "dark" "soloist" "profound" and over all gives the same impression as the before mentioned style of design.

Goth / Gothic over the years has received a bad reputation and is misconceived at times and blamed for things that have nothing to do with the culture it self. Like Columbine.

So they dressed in trench coats and listened to KMFDM that dose not mean they were goth / gothic nor does it have any thing to do with killing a bunch of kids because they were mad. Everyone has a rough time in school be it its no reason it kill the brats giving you a hard time..

Also EMO is NOT GOTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Emo is Emo
Goth is Goth

this was recently done in the sandbox...goth is what morons whithout a life call me....goth is a lable which is designed to sterotype people who are "weird" often seen wearing black, listing to metal, face covered in black adn white makeup-no colour, only used to enhance features...it is also a term which describes east german tribes from the 3rd and 4th centuries, from the Roman Empire who 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. The term Gothic is an archaic Germanic language with definite ties to the languages of North-Central Europe

Interesting read so far.

Been a long time since I've posted in the forum.

Goth to me is a period of time that is translated into modern day equivilents of dress, appearance, appreciation and lifestyle

While it's not related to old fashioned living, it is taking a style and making it your own.

While it usually has some stero types applicable to it, it's not always true to form - for example, not all "goths' wear heavy make up - some prefer none at all but are still refered to as goth

FOr myself where i work in a corporate environment, I am expected to appear in a certain way even though i have long caramel colour hair etc always dress in black, wear sexy lace up boots where ever possible, I keep my make up in a 60's fashion - heavy thick line on top with flicks and fake lashes.

When I am at home the liner is heavier.

Red lips are not me.

And though I don't look typical I will be asked at least once a week if i am a goth.... so the message is still there.

Mistress Moreish

This is a hard question to answer... I have a hard time defining what MAKES a goth... people call me goth and I have no problem with it... because it is not a bad thing like they make it out to be. From a definition I have read and a combination of other things I have read about 'goths' they are highly intelligent people who are strong enough to not follow the crowd and just be their own. They were not always known for wearing black but they are now... I personally like the clothing. (which is why people say I'm goth...) What offends me is when people call me emo or punk because I am neither.

From what I've gathered goths are easygoing, normaly nonviolent people who don't act as clones of the rest of the people they are around. I've also figured out that they like to read and do artsy things normally.... idky but that is what I've picked up on. (I'm not talking about just me, I'm talking about other goth-type people I've ran into as well.)

'Goth' is one of many stereotypical colloquial terms used to describe the contemporary Gothic Subculture.

A goth is an individual that, as per the term, has differing responses to the stimulative arts, specifically: music, modern fashion and philosophies associated with beauty(you've all seen someone type out 'Goth is Beautiful', don't deny it).

Most happen to think they are so much more radically different from the mainstream than others, whereas the vast majority are not, they simply choose to apply more facial aesthetics(ie. guy liner), and act on a minutely different set of sociological norms and values.

Good thread, Vampirika.

the most beautiful artwork i have ever seen

Goth is power. Goth is the best thing ever existed.

LOL I am that Historical Barbaric reference that everyone sets aside. That is my Goth. That is the Goth that I am.

To me it's just a label I would go into more of what I want to say but I just don't feel like it right now hehe

In Europe, after 1993 a "goth" society developed.

They were the listeners of the european underground gothic-metal music:
Celtic Frost,
Paradise Lost,
Therion,
Tiamat,
Theatre of Tragedy,
Samel,
Lacrimosa,
My Dying Bride etc.

They were interested in all the mysterious and melancholic things in art and culture:

ancient history and mythology,
romantic fiction literature
gothic imagery
alchemy and occultism


They wear "metal" inspirated outfits combined with medieval or romantic/victorian couture.Silk and fur with leather and silver accesories.

In my knowledge, the European Goth movement, is very different from the Emo style.That`s pretty different from the US kind ogf goth , isn`t it?

I beleive that the name itself was Just a stereotype created by those who needed to label the different facets of life to make themselves feel better.

Goth has many versions of itself whether its art,music,a mere existance of culture or being.Its dakness and grim in instanaces or beautiful and endearing.

Specific...The latest and greatest fashion trend for todays youth. This too shall pass.

TegoSanguisitim i wouldn't consider it a fashion, but that is just my opinion...
and about passing? is there anything that will not pass over the time?

well, in my point of view only the word of God will endure forever... or else why a poor man, without any special knowledge like Jesus would speak some weird stuff and his word lasts for 2000 years by now?

oh, and by the way, the word goth has over 500 years... can it be a fashion?!!

Well I consider it a life-style. Or maybe art. Because the actual definition probably is nothing near what most people expect...

Goth is a lifestyle and a state of mind...I dont understand it completly but sure if someone calls me a goth then fine i'm a goth to them if they call me a prep im a prep to them its just an opinion on dress for most

In todays world you should be able to feel if you are goth or not. This is not an easy thing to express to others. Either you know you are - or not. Goth comes from the inside. Why are people having trouble with saying "feeling?" And going with the cop-out "lifestyle" instead?

Goth to me just means someone who doesn't follow the normal restraints of society. A goth is creative and open minded and believe in being individuals not carbon copies.

Yes, Goth is art! It's simply art using a human palette. My daughter is goth, and I am proud of her. She's individual, intelligent, and strong - and beautiful!

Goth is a personality form that encompasses/embraces all art forms and incorporates art into all aspects of everyday life. Goth is open-minded...

Simply an extinct sub-culture than emerged from Punk in the late 70's.

wow I love how it seems the information that has been linked with in this thread is not being used.Or possibly passed over

I am goth am I subculture No.
Goth is a much earlier term then from the 70's
they were around a long long long long long long time ago.

and then later was turned into a architectural form of building and structure.

An ~extinct~ subculture? LOL Far from extinct, my friend! I believe Goth will be around for a long time...

I enjoyed the article posted by malakh that provided a good description and discussion of Goth.

For me, the definition of Goth is so far reaching. It is art, architechture, music, literature, clothing, a subculture, ALL of these things, and more.

The best example that I can think of to relate this to is the work "Christian." If you asked the same question, what is the meaning of Christian, you would get the same variety of answers.

In know, in general, I would likely be called Goth, and I would agree with you if you called me Goth. I may not always dress the part, or look the part, but I live the part.

The music, the cloths, the mentality, the art, the literature; some of it, all of it, and none of it.

I went on a Gothic Cruise last year with 200 other people. Some said that they were not Goth, but I know that deep down, they were, because we enjoyed our music, our time together, our discussions, and our travels. It was not what we called ourselves, it was what were did and what we were.

Goth to me means that we look on the darker side of beauty. We appreciate things more natural, living in harmony with nature rather than defiling it. Yes, we do dress differently, but we express ourselves through our looks, rather than looking like everyone else with the latest "fashion", or whatever they call it. We accept each other for who we are, not for what we look like. All of us have different views of the world... Some a little darker than most, but that makes us who we are.

Goth once meant a great deal to me, but I slowly and steadily grew out of it. Out of the label anyways. To me, its just a label, or a way of life.
Maybe, I've adapted so much to it that I just don't see myself as being Gothic, just as being myself, that's very possible.
I think it's just a term for people who live to enjoy the darker side of life.

Goth was an ancient germanic tribe of barbarians that fought against the Roman legions.

Goth is a state of mind and a choice. It is a lifestyle, and a "feeling." Goth rises above the standards of mainstream society and stands for individuality. Goth can be considered art as well. And although it can be considered a "label" or a steriotype...I can not think of anything else I would rather be called. Who the hell wants to conform the the cookie-cutters of the world? Certainly not I. There is nothing more beautiful in this world than a true goth.

a mixture of art, person preferance and a passion 4 being deferant

Goth---the folks who sacked Rome, right??


for me, it's the attitude, the personal style, musical taste, creative and eclectic individuals who come together under our unbrella of solidarity, the Goth umbrella, figurative sheltering us all and giving us all a sense of belonging to something greater than ourselves.

To me,its just being what you want..who you ARE.A freedom of sorts.

Goth is a personal life choice of how to dress and the music to listen too. There is nothing wrong with anyone that lives this lifestyle. The bad thing is that society sees goth people as trouble when in fact they are not.

I know what goth isn't to me.
As far as surface appearance goes goth is as different as any other way one might choose to dress. The person wearing jeans, and a t-shirt is just as much an individual as i am- what they have choosen to wear is also an expression. I cannot claim to be any more or less different than anyone else. Wearing gothic styled clothing has become quite popular nowadays... I am not saying dressing gothic is easy, but people will always find a reason to judge you. I find alot of people use the "gothic lifestyle" as an escape.. a way to rebel... like a child who acts up to get attention- ofcourse I am not saying everyone who considers themselves gothic is doing this. As far as lables go everything has a name that`s how we communicate, lables are very useful, but can be misunderstood- but everything can be taken the wrong way. No one shares the exact same perception as anyone else. we are all different..unique.

Goth to me is beauty. It's in the way I breath...apart of my every waking moment...

Like all art movements it's a way of expressing ourselves. Also, like other art movements the term Goth has been used as a derogatory term. However, the derogatory means will loose hold over time. What Goth will ultimately stand for is not written in stone and will be determined over time. I feel Goth expresses human truth, both our dark and light nature. And yes it can be seen as a style of dress.

I try to look past all steriotypes and labels. Everyone is different in their own way. I think "goth" is just another label when used in that way.

However, when you use "Gothic" It brings a whole new meaning about. I think of Gothic Architecture and paintings.

The meaning is really all in how you use the word.

Goth - Someone who do as they please and don't care what others think about them and someone who sees the beauty of the darker side of life.

words, words, words by any other name a rose would smell just as sweet. I could be called goth, and have been. I could be called mom and often am. (to the point I sometimes forget my given name) We give ourselves so many names to explain who we are in the moment. Goth, is more of a feeling than an act. The flipside of daylight sort of.

Although this topic is repetitive, I still like it.

But this time I'm not going to write a novel as usual so I'll just say: it is whatever you want it to be.

Goth to me is a form of expression. An outlet to show creativity .

goth means a way of expressing our selves... it has to do more than jsut merely with the way you dress and the music you like, with the way you see things and the world...
i read that goth was classified as a modern culture

the first thing i think of is the wonderful bulidings.. the bane o fbeing a draftsmen I suppose lol.

But otehr than that is really has littel meaning in my daily life. I get told I fit the bill... but is that case I wear black.. or I am becomeing less willing to hide what I am.. shrugs it seems to be yet another lable to make the majority of society feel able to handle those they do not understand.. if your a "goth" they no longer have to try to understand or try to figure out the person.

It's something beautiful that not everyone can see clearly. I wish more people could see what I see. They do not know what they are missing.

I can not really express in words what GOTH means to me. It's more of a way of being.

Well, the text books say that it's a counter culture.. a rebelion against what most people like and would consider to be the norm. I say it's nothing but a label that people can use against you to try and make you feel less about yourself. My parents think that anyone who wears black is goth.... That's it. . They don't know a real definition for it.... I like black.. its one of my favorite colors. but i also like pink purple blue green and white and i wear them often... but just because of the black, they think i'm less than i am...

To me 'Goth' is a subculture, but not linked as strongly as a society would be. It bears relation to the original term 'gothic', in its connection to the culture of Catholicism and to the vampire mythos. Some may argue that it is an artificial subculture, but all that is a superset of humanity is artificial, so its a moot point.

Goth is a culture based on individuals who love to be themselves. Folks who just don't give as much stock into the market driven world as they do enjoying life.

i am not gothic but yes i agree with you for sure but it is also a fashion statment too...

"Goth" for me is not the clothing you wear, but a state of mind. Black does not make you goth, nor does the make-up, jewelry, fashion sense. You could dress anti-bellum and this would not make you goth.

This stereotype is I think for the depraved social class of adolescense, and some adults as well.

Not even the "satanists" are goth in my opinion. It is a choice, no one can call you goth unless they are ignorantly stereotyping you, or you call yourself one based on your mood. Though if mood were the case, then the world would be full of "emo" as well.

In exchange for a definition of "goth" how about one for "emo" as well. As both are in the same class, save for goth kids are mostly adults now, and the emo are the youngest of the crowd, just trying to find their place in society.

So in conclusion..."Goth" to me is just another stereotype for society to set for those of whom do not fit in.

I would have to agree with you there soulshroud. Goth is just a label and it means something different to each individual.

Goth is a state of mind... at least now... In the old times it represented something new, violent and destructive...
Now, for each individual Goth means a different thing (for each individual that actually thinks, not for mass followers that dress in black leather, listen to depressing music and write depressing poetry and form time to time try to kill themselves)...
Goth is somthing... Anti-Mainstream, if you want... something that even if it is new doesn't mean it will not apply or will not be a good thing... is something different, something that can actually make a difference...

I agree it's a sub-culture.
I think labels suck.

Good post Ahriman, very inspiring. Yes, as the future unfolds it seems as though the mainstream "goth" is becoming more of a comformity than a random act of "tude". The rebels are being manipulated into thinking they are rebeling in clothing rather than in words. A psycho-cinematic if you will.

Even if it is just a state of mind, this state of mind should show relevance of both how society is lacking in a variety of aspect for morality, and how parents are not paying attention to the language of their children. Thus our present day youth exists.

But who am I to judge...(Shrugs) Gotta blame someone.

Goth, to me personally, is a style I adapt for photos. Though I don't think I'm gothic, I do take certain aspects that I see are popular in the gothic lifestyle and place them here and there in my pictures. Sounds kind of shallow but...that's really all I could ever commit to "Gothic" heh.

Goth is being yourself regardless of what others may think.

It has nothing to do with the color of your clothes, the type of music you listen to, how you wear your make up, or anything like that. It is being true to yourself and not being afraid of the repercussions. And the reason it is beautiful to many is the fact the person isn't trying to be something they aren't.

It's always seemed to me that being Gothic is a lot of work...or am I just looking at the stereotype of Gothic?

Once again, the mainstream seems to distort a lot of things...

Goth to me is living the way that you wont with no one telling you what to do , because you can be your own person.....

goth [goth]
(plural goths)
n
1. somebody uncivilized: an uncivilized or barbaric person
2. musical style: a style of popular music that combines features of heavy metal with punk
3. style of clothes and make-up: a style of fashion, popular among men and women in the 1980s, characterized by black clothes, heavy silver jewelry, black eye makeup and lipstick, and often pale face makeup
4. follower of goth music and fashion: a fan of goth music and fashion


As my daughter (14) told me look it up in the dictionary, so I did and this is what I found. However I asked her what did Goth mean to her...

her reply was "a label that really pee's me off"

Goth doesn't mean anything to me, it's just a persons way of life, and way of thinking. I myself do not judge a person by the way they dress, or think, only by the way they behave and treat others.

Most ppl I know that are considered "goth" are soem very artistic individuals who I am happy to say I know and love. No one should be labled because they are a bit different.

Exactly look in your history book. A goth is a tribe that lived in Germania.

I am asking what Goth means to YOU. If it means a tribe in Germania, or any other tribe for that matter, and you call yourself a goth..then there's something wrong with you.

goth is a way of life and a way of expressing ones self through there own personal beliefs in my eyes

I am gothic and my views are such..I am not normal nor do I dress or act the way I do because I want the world to look at me as a solemn evil wench,I was born the way I am,I am very open-minded,I believe anything is possible in this world,plus I look good all gothed-out which is a plus seeing as how it it the only place I fit in,I have been alot of thngs trying to find me and this is me so if it can't be accepted I am sorry for you becausee my life is gonna be happy while yours is spent trying to figure me out.

Goth to me is not just a subcultural. There are so many aspects that people can't grip, and instantly stereotype with such things as 'anarchists' 'satanists' 'liberals' 'rebellious teens'. As we all know, we're not all teens. xD Nevertheless, these stereotypes block the way from people seeing that Goth is just another form of expression. The expression to embrass the beauty in the darkness.

I agree with what RAAGIOSL said about 'goth' beginning simply as a label made by people who needed a name for a facet of society different from the mainstream. The label stuck and the scene thrived.

The meaning of "Goth

Commonly, it refers to one of three things: music, lifestyle, and fashion, though it is not seen as proper to designate one's self as goth based purely on their manner of dress, and most goths do not publicly proclaim themselves as such anyway. The gothic subculture tends to have a poor reputation because so many of the people who choose to label themselves as such know nothing about the culture, and involve themselves in juvenille or melodramatic behavior that they feel "is goth

Seriously dude, you need to stop stealing stuff off of sites. If you're taking something off of somewhere, at least give it some credit.


Please..plz..lol. I know how you type and spell, and it's not as proper as when you steal stuff off of sites.

i think goth is a belief , a eway of expressing your feelings as in writing its a way of life

I dont think there could be a definate and solid definition for 'Goth'...Though the main idea I think is seeing the beauty of the Dark side

Goth is a term that relates to emotions, moods, or the over all personality of a person and the way the act. A person doesn't have to live a dark lifestyle they use the image the put out as a way of artwork. They are painting a picture for the world to see them as they are at that point and time in their life. "Goth" is something that you would use to create something yours. But you know its just my theory as all of these responses are other folks theory, (unless they looked up in the dictionary).

This article is about the late 20th / early 21st century subculture.

The goth subculture is a contemporary subculture found in many countries. It began in the United Kingdom during the early 1980s in the gothic rock scene, an offshoot of the post-punk genre. The goth subculture has survived much longer than others of the same era, and has continued to diversify. Its imagery and cultural proclivities indicate influences from nineteenth century Gothic literature along with horror movies and -according to César Fuentes Rodríguez and Carol Siegel- to a lesser extent, the BDSM culture.

The goth subculture has associated tastes in music, aesthetics, and fashion, whether or not all individuals who share those tastes are in fact members of the goth subculture. Gothic music encompasses a number of different styles. Common to all is a tendency towards a lugubrious, mystical sound and outlook. Styles of dress within the subculture range from death rock, punk, androgynous, medieval, some Renaissance and Victorian style clothes, or combinations of the above, most often with black attire, makeup and hair.

Origins and development

By the late 1970s, there were a few post-punk bands in the United Kingdom labeled "gothic." However, it was not until the early 1980s that gothic rock became its own subgenre within post-punk, and that followers of these bands started to come together as a distinctly recognizable movement. The scene appears to have taken its name from an article published in UK rock weekly Sounds: ‘The face of Punk Gothique’, written by Steve Keaton and published on February 21 1981. The opening of the Batcave in London's Soho in July 1982 provided a prominent meeting point for the emerging scene, which had briefly been labeled positive punk by the New Musical Express. The term "Batcaver" was later used to describe old-school goths.

Independent of the British scene, the late 1970s and early 1980s saw death rock branch off from American punk. In 1980s and early 1990s, members of an emerging subculture in Germany were called Grufti[e]s (English "vault creatures" or "tomb creatures"); they generally followed a fusion of the gothic and new wave with an influence of new romantic, and formed the early stages of the "dark culture" (formerly called "dark wave culture").

For more info see link - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goth_subculture

This thread has been automatically closed for length.

Thats a hard one, its not a set of clothing, its not the make up. Its a darker way of thinking, for me more morbid. Goth is just a mind set to me.

what it means to me is to embrace my inner self and to be my true self and not to hide from it. I also am now and forever my true person and being a goth is just like everyone else except i embrace the truth and dont try to hide what i really am anymore.

how come it says the thread has been closed and its not???

There is a common image that gets pulled to mind when you hear, "goth." While I would never bring that image to mind, there is more to the term than the clothing worn. Whether it is a puffy shirt, torn lace and velvet, or jeans and quirky touches that tell what is complex and unique inside...that is to be goth.

To be goth is to feel free to express the poem inside of you.