Nazi Symbols - The Story Behind the Imagery

The swastika is a symbol with a rich history and positive connotations in many cultures, particularly in Asia where it is commonly found on religious buildings and is associated with good luck. Originating in India, it is derived from the Sanskrit word 'swastika', meaning conducive to well-being. The symbol has been used in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. In Europe, it has represented various gods across different eras. However, its appropriation by the Nazis has led to its association with the Nazi party, overshadowing its ancient and positive meanings. Adolf Hitler adapted the swastika in 1925, creating the Nazi party image with a black swastika facing right within a white circle against a red background, echoing the old German imperial flag. Despite efforts to rehabilitate the swastika, its use by the Nazis has left a lasting impact.

The Nazi eagle, or Reichsadler, is an ancient symbol that was modified and used by the Nazis. The term Reichsadler means 'Imperial Eagle' and its earliest known use comes from the Holy Roman Empire, which took inspiration from the Roman army's eagle standard, symbolizing strength and unity. The Teutonic Knights and the state of Prussia also used the eagle in their emblems. The single-headed eagle became the insignia of the German Empire and was later used by the Weimar Republic. After Hitler's rise to power, a stylized eagle with a swastika was adopted as the national emblem in 1935. Interestingly, the Reichsadler was resurrected by the Federal Republic of Germany in 1950 and is now known as the Bundesadler, an official symbol of the German government, indicating the eagle's enduring role in German national identity.

The stiff right-arm salute, associated with the Nazi period, has been mistakenly attributed to the Romans, largely due to artistic and theatrical representations from the 18th century onwards. The salute appeared in silent films and was adopted by Italian ultra-nationalists, including Mussolini's Fascists in 1923. Some Nazi party members used it to greet Hitler, and by 1926, it became compulsory. Despite initial resistance from some who considered it an Italian gesture, the salute was enforced nationwide from 1933. The salute's association with the Nazis has since overshadowed its previous uses.

The Totenkopf, or death's head, is a potent symbol that predates the Nazi period and continues to be used in some countries as an army symbol without any connection to National Socialism. The symbol was first used by King Frederick the Great of Prussia as a military emblem for a regiment of hussars. The death's head was also used by the Braunschweig regiment and continued in military service with the Prussian death's head hussars, an elite cavalry force. During World War I, the Totenkopf was worn as a regimental badge and later by the Frei Corps, right-wing German paramilitaries. The symbol was adopted by the early Nazi period as the insignia of the Stabswache, which later became the Schutzstaffel (SS). The Totenkopf is still used today by various military units worldwide, including the British Army's Royal Lancers, the Royal Air Force's No. 100 Squadron, and the United States Marine Corps reconnaissance battalions.

The SS, under Heinrich Himmler, sought to personify the concept of the Aryan superman by employing ancient Germanic runes, attempting to connect to pagan Northern European Germanic myths and legends. The most famous runic symbol used by the SS was the 'SIG' or 'Zieg' rune, originally representing the sun. However, the 19th-century Volkisch movement reinterpreted it to symbolize 'Z' or 'Victory'. SS officer Walter Heck, a graphic designer, chose this rune, doubling it and arranging it side by side like lightning bolts to represent both the name 'SS' and the rallying cry 'Sieg Heil' from the Volkisch movement. This adaptation of the rune became a memorable and symbolic emblem for the SS.