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Nazi Symbols - The Story Behind the Imagery

Mark Felton Productions・8 minutes read

The Nazis appropriated various symbols including the swastika, eagle, salute, death's head, and SS runes, all of which hold strong political sensitivity and are banned in some countries due to their association with National Socialism. Despite their historical origins predating the Third Reich, these symbols have left a lasting impact and continue to evoke controversy and condemnation.

Insights

  • The swastika, originally a symbol of good luck in Asia, was rebranded by the Nazis in 1925, becoming their emblem with a black swastika in a white circle on a red background, showcasing how a benign symbol can be twisted into a potent tool for propaganda and hatred.
  • The various symbols adopted by the Nazis, such as the Reichsadler, stiff-arm salute, Totenkopf, and SS runes, were not original creations but borrowed from historical contexts like the Holy Roman Empire and ancient Germanic myths, demonstrating how the manipulation of established symbols can be used to propagate dangerous ideologies and agendas.

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Recent questions

  • What is the historical origin of the swastika symbol?

    The swastika was originally a symbol of good luck in Asia before being appropriated by the Nazis as their logo in 1925.

  • What is the significance of the Nazi eagle symbol?

    The Nazi eagle, or Reichsadler, symbolized German unity and was used as the official national emblem under Hitler, originating from the Holy Roman Empire.

  • How did the stiff right arm salute become associated with the Nazis?

    The stiff right arm salute, adopted by the Nazis, was likely an artistic invention attributed to the Romans and later mandated for all Germans in 1933.

  • What is the history behind the death's head symbol?

    The death's head symbol, known as the Totenkopf, was used by King Frederick the Great of Prussia and later by the SS, originating as a military emblem with no connection to National Socialism.

  • What do the SS runes symbolize?

    The SS runes, specifically the double lightning-shaped rune representing victory, were employed by Heinrich Himmler's SS as a symbol of Aryan superiority, drawing on ancient Germanic myths and legends.

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Summary

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"Nazi Symbols: Origins and Controversy"

  • The swastika, originally a symbol of good luck in Asia, was appropriated by the Nazis, who adapted it into their logo in 1925, using a black swastika inside a white circle against a red background.
  • The Nazi eagle, or Reichsadler, was a symbol of German unity that predated the Third Reich, originating from the Holy Roman Empire and later used by Prussia and the German Empire, eventually becoming the official national emblem under Hitler.
  • The stiff right arm salute, adopted by the Nazis, was likely an artistic invention attributed to the Romans, popularized in the 18th century and further associated with Italian ultra-nationalists before being mandated for all Germans in 1933.
  • The death's head symbol, known as the Totenkopf, was used by King Frederick the Great of Prussia and later by the SS, originating as a military emblem with no connection to National Socialism, also used by various military units outside of Germany.
  • The SS runes, specifically the double lightning-shaped rune representing victory, were employed by Heinrich Himmler's SS as a symbol of Aryan superiority, drawing on ancient Germanic myths and legends, with the symbol cleverly representing both the name SS and the rallying cry for victory.
  • Despite the historical origins of these symbols, their appropriation by the Nazis has left a lasting impact, with the swastika, eagle, salute, death's head, and SS runes all carrying strong political sensitivity and being banned in some countries due to their association with National Socialism.
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