Grateful Dead Symbols Deciphered - The Birth of the Bolt

Grateful Dead Symbols Deciphered - The Bolt

- The Meaning Behind the 13-point Lightning Bolt -

Since our humble beginnings selling tie-dyes in the lots at Dead shows, you could say that here at the Hippie Shop, we’re pretty big deadheads. As the first band to utilize trippy, brilliantly designed show posters and psychedelic light displays during their shows, from their inception, the Grateful Dead have expressed their unique message just as much through their visuals as through their sound.

From the classic Steal Your Face to the terrapin to the dancing bears, there is a vast archive of artwork associated with the band, but today we’re starting with the first symbol to enter the Dead’s iconography: the 13-point lightning bolt. Curious about the creation of the Dead's first symbol? Then keep on reading.

Bear & the Birth of the Bolt

As fans of the band, you’ve probably heard of the group’s sound engineer and longtime friend, Owsley “Bear” Stanley. While on tour with the band in 1969, Owsley realized that they needed an identifiable symbol to spray paint on the band’s equipment so that it would be easily discernible when jammed next to other band’s gear backstage. Inspired by the shape and bold markings of a dual-colored freeway sign he passed on the road, Owsley teamed up with a friend and graphic designer named Bob Thomas. Together, they brought his vision of a round visually striking logo with red and blue separated by a lightning strike to life... and the bolt was born!

Not only was he credited with conceptualizing the band’s first symbol, Owsley was also known as the King of LSD, a notorious and beloved hallucinatory chemist, whose extremely pure “Monterey Purple” blew the minds of Haight-Ashbury hippies before and throughout the Summer of Love.

A few years later in 1973, the 13-point lightning bolt joined the classic skull to create one of the band’s most identifiable symbols: The Steal Your Face! The album, titled History of the Grateful Dead, Volume One (and nicknamed Bear's Choice), honors the band’s beloved soundman and chemist by featuring his favorite live tracks and the symbol he had a hand in creating as the cover art.

Grateful Dead Symbols Deciphered - The Birth of the Bolt

The Point of the Points

While the original purpose of the bolt was purely functional, theories of the meaning behind the symbol have been swirling around during deadheads’ heady conversations since its inception into the band’s vast iconography. Even we’re a little curious about why Owsley chose to make the bolt with 13 distinct points.

One theory is that the 13 points represent the original 13 American colonies. This could make sense, since it is in line with the patriotic red, white, and blue color scheme as well as another one of the band’s famous symbols: the Uncle Sam skeleton, which is referred to in the song U.S. Blues. Being that Bear was the King of LSD, another popular theory is that the 13 points represent some aspect of the LSD molecule or the 13 steps involved in the chemical process of creating the trippy and transcendent drug. Some say it could refer to the Sumerian Zodiac which used 13 constellations. Or it could even be a reference to the 13th Tarot card: Death. Perhaps the number of points didn’t matter at all and the lightning bolt signifies enlightenment, transformation, and the raw powers of nature. Like much of the Dead’s music, maybe the message is more about discovering what you personally take away from it.

No matter which roadie tour stories or message board rumors you choose to subscribe to, keep your love of the dead alive with the coolest officially licensed merch around!

 

EXPLORE ALL 13-POINT BOLT STUFF

EXPLORE ALL GRATEFUL DEAD MERCH

 

- Shop the Story -

SHOP NOWThis cap is classic and cool, just like you. Featuring the classic 13-point lightning bolt which was derived from a stencil Owsley "Bear" Stanley created to spray-paint on the Grateful Dead's equipment boxes so they would be easily identifiable, this comfy cap adds laid back style to any deadhead's wardrobe. Adjustable to fit you perfectly by a cloth strap with a metal slide buckle closure.

Grateful Dead Batik Bolt Cap
HippieShop, $29.95
SHOP NOWThis natural colored Baja hoodie features a tie-dyed Grateful Dead Steal Your Face printed on the back and a tie-dyed skull on the front, with an ultra-soft brushed interior and a large front belly pocket.

Grateful Dead Tie Dye Steal Your Face Baja Hoodie
HippieShop, $34.95 - $35.95
SHOP NOWLight up your room in Grateful glory with this awesome lantern! This four-sided lantern is handmade in Nepal by artisans using a paper made from the bark of the Lokta tree. This lantern features a cosmic Stealie face on two sides and the classic 13-point bolt on the other two sides.

Grateful Dead Cosmic Stealie Tie Dye Lokta Lantern
HippieShop, $9.99
SHOP NOWA Hippie Shop favorite and one of our best selling hats is here with a brand new design! This hand crocheted slouchy hat is made from a hemp blend and embellished with a small bone Grateful Dead 13-point Bolt on the front. This hemp fiber hat is made from extremely durable natural fibers and it won't fade or wear out no matter how much you wear it!

Honeycomb Grateful Dead Bolt Hat
HippieShop, $16.99
SHOP NOWThe iconic 13 point lightning bolt gets a psychedelic make over on our Grateful Dead Rainbow Bolt Sticker, featuring a unique batik look. Stick on just about any clean, dry, smooth surface for your viewing pleasure!

Grateful Dead Rainbow Tie Dye Batik Bolt Sticker
HippieShop, $4.99
SHOP NOWNo need to mess with a classic! Featuring the classic 13-point lightning bolt which was derived from a stencil Owsley "Bear" Stanley created to spray-paint on the Grateful Dead's equipment boxes so they would be easily identifiable, this cap adds laid back style to any deadhead's wardrobe. Adjustable to fit you perfectly by a velcro strap.

Grateful Dead Bolt Cap
HippieShop, $21.95
SHOP NOWThis lightweight hoodie features a classic Steal Your Face on the back, the Grateful Dead 13-point lightning bolt on the left side of the front, two spacious pockets, decorative ties on the right, and three wooden toggle closures at the neckline. Perfect no matter where your long strange trips take you!

Grateful Dead Steal Your Face Lightweight Hoodie
HippieShop, $39.95
SHOP NOWFeel the sun shine down on you every time you throw on this groovy grateful dead cap! This awesome brick red hat is embroidered with the 13-point lightning bolt surrounded by a fiery far out sun with blazing rays. Adjustable to fit you perfectly by a Velcro strap.

Grateful Dead Sunshine Lightning Cap
HippieShop, $29.99
SHOP NOWGettin’ tired of sittin’ and starin’ at boring home décor? We’ve got just the thing for you! The perfect addition to any deadhead’s home, this handcrafted piece of art featuring the classic 13-point bolt has hooks on the back for easy installation. “Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings!”

Grateful Dead Bolt Wall Art
HippieShop, $19.95
SHOP NOWYour new favorite T-shirt has that vintage, worn in feel built right in for you. The classic image of the Steal Your Face logo surrounded by "Grateful Dead" and a bed of roses is printed on this ultra soft jersey knit women's cut tee. With its distressed look and silky feel, you are going to want to wear this shirt every day!

Grateful Dead - Steal Your Face Women's T Shirt
HippieShop, $29.99 - $32.99
SHOP NOWThe iconic 13 point lightning bolt gets a psychedelic make over on our Grateful Dead Rainbow Bolt Sticker, featuring a unique batik look. This sticker will adhere to just about any clean, dry, smooth surface for your viewing pleasure.

Grateful Dead Rainbow Bolt Window Sticker
HippieShop, $4.99

EXPLORE ALL GRATEFUL DEAD MERCH

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