The Sons of Liberty has three distinct symbols within it; the Punisher skull, the coiled Timber Rattlesnake, and the ring of 13-stars. Together, this symbolism represents the spirit of SOL and its ambition.

Punisher Skull: Originally developed by Gerry Conway for his character, Frank Castle. As the story goes, Frank was a Marine combat veteran, whom after returning from war, experienced a family tragedy and took justice into his own hands while adorning the symbol of the skull. This story has been replicated several times, each with its own nuance, but the basic elements have remained. Frank Castle was a tenacious warrior with an unwavering code of honor.

Though the Punisher skull has been co-opted by many factions that one might consider oppressive and unjust, this doesn’t reverse the meaning behind the symbol, it simply points out the misunderstanding and ignorance of those who falsely represent it. Castle was not a law-abiding citizen, he wasn’t fighting to enforce laws, and he was no servant or worshipper of any politician. Castle was an outlaw and regularly circumvented the law. His character was not one friendly to the government; many times the drama casts the government itself as the antagonist. At its most fundamental level, the Punisher skull is a symbol of unrelenting and uncompromising justice.

Timber Rattlesnake: The timber rattlesnake is one of the oldest symbols embraced by the United States. This snake, much like the bald eagle, was an indigenous species of North America, making it a prime symbol of the American identity. Benjamin Franklin depicted the snake several times through his writings, but it was made most notable by Christopher Gadsden, a politician from South Carolina. Gadsden was not only a statesman, but also a high-ranking member in the Continental Army, one of the most influential leaders in the movement for independence, and a founding member of the South Carolina Sons of Liberty militia. 

Gadsden designed a standard to represent the fight for American independence. A coiled timber rattlesnake upon a bright yellow backdrop, with the phrase, “DONT TREAD ON ME,” printed beneath it. Snakes elicit a primal instinct within humans; they are something to be feared. But the rattlesnake is unique in that it first warns those who may attempt to infringe, before it strikes – and strike it shall, with lethal intent. This rattling feature of this snake combined with the loud yellow cloth work in conjunction to send the message, “We are here. We are no longer hiding. You have been warned.” 

The distinction between the rattlesnake and the contemporary symbol of the Libertarian Party, the porcupine, is that the snake is actually deadly; it’s a formidable adversary, even to those species much larger than itself. It is also a predatory animal, unlike the porcupine which can only act defensively. The same principle applies (don’t mess with me), but the porcupine’s quills are relatively harmless compared to the venomous fangs of the snake – such is the nature of the differences between a political party that reserves its efforts to legislature and a small group of dangerous men, willing to take freedom into their own hands.

13-Stars: Found on one of the nation’s first flag designs, the 13-stars are meant to represent the original 13 colonies that fought for their independence against British rule. SOL incorporates this symbol into their design to signify both its historical origins but also as a solemn remembrance to a time when the American people took up arms against their political oppressor. The star itself has always been a symbol of guidance and ambition. We look to the stars to find our way and we aspire toward it. They represent a dream, a wish, an ultimate end. As such, the Sons of Liberty are guided by the spirit of these 13-stars.

This is the history of SOL’s symbols and the rationale for why we embrace them. Do not fall victim to the slander found within mainstream media and politics, accusing these symbols of some sort of Right-wing, racist, or “anti-government” sentiment; the true meaning of these emblems are much more profound than they would have you believe. The use of these icons by other groups and ideologies is irrelevant and does not undermine their symbolic gesture. The potential associations one can make between these images and other, less-honorable ideas, is merely an attempt to attack the existence of the actual ideas these symbols truly represent. We will not surrender these powerful images to the forces of tyranny or any flavor of Postmodern Marxism, which attempt to cast arbitrary definitions and meaning to ancient truths. The Sons of Liberty proudly adorn these symbols and makes no apology for it.