The Gothic scene is one of the few subcultures that has continuously grown since its inception in the late 1970s and still evokes as many prejudices and misunderstandings as few other youth cultures. Satanic, violent, necrophilic, suicidal, far-right - the list of attributes with which the scene is viewed in public is long. Where do these attributions come from, are there any indications of them within the scene, and are they justified? How do reputable national media describe this youth culture? This sociological work delves into these questions through a sign and theme analysis as well as a media analysis. It provides a well-founded insight into the scene's world, including its way of life, attitudes, values, and its function and position in society, along with an explanation of self-presentation.