Quora User makes an interesting case that the Luftwaffe no longer uses the eagle as a symbol, and therefore that the shirt in question is either worn out of ignorance or out of Nazi sympathy.
The fun thing is, the Luftwaffe does use the eagle as an insignia.
The use of the eagle as a coat of arms for various German states is older than a millenium, and the eagle has been the single most prominent symbol of all things German since the rise of Prussia, rivaled only by the iconic Iron Cross, and later on the Balkenkreuz (in particular because of it being the automatic replacement for the swastika i
Quora User makes an interesting case that the Luftwaffe no longer uses the eagle as a symbol, and therefore that the shirt in question is either worn out of ignorance or out of Nazi sympathy.
The fun thing is, the Luftwaffe does use the eagle as an insignia.
The use of the eagle as a coat of arms for various German states is older than a millenium, and the eagle has been the single most prominent symbol of all things German since the rise of Prussia, rivaled only by the iconic Iron Cross, and later on the Balkenkreuz (in particular because of it being the automatic replacement for the swastika in any case of censoring making it very memorable and also, unfortunately associated with National Socialism) in its prominence. This isn’t tradition broken away from easily, and Luftwaffe hasn't.
The amount of eagle iconography inside the Germany of today is still prominent, and the Luftwaffe is no exception. Aviation badges feature the eagle, for example:
Alright, you can make a case for it being not the iconic Luftwaffe eagle, and you would have a point.
Though you know what is particularly fun?
In 1957, due to demands of the former Wehrmacht officers that they be permitted their WWII decorations, a law was passed in then-West Germany, Ordensgesetz, or to translate, ‘Order Laws’. The laws stipulated that badges, awards, orders and medals issued under the National Socialist regime could be worn freely as long as they did not contain any National Socialist iconography. For this reason, willing personnel and former personnel were issued variations of their original decorations, ones made without the National Socialist insignia, that they could wear on uniform or in public.
Back in the day, a qualified Luftwaffe observer would receive this badge:
And if he, following 1957, wanted to wear it, he could apply for the de-Nazified version, which was… this:
Or were you a skilled ground attack pilot, who was awarded this badge of honor:
You could go apply for this as a replacement after 1957:
(Yes, I know they are different grades, but that’s the best picture I have at hand).
Or, say you fancy a replacement for your anti-air badge, which looks like this:
And you would be issued this:
The article in question does not give us a picture of the shirt, but makes it clear that it contained only the name ‘Luftwaffe’ and an eagle. We cannot know the intention of the man, for all we can guess, he might be a National Socialist.
But not even Germany, the country with the harshest regulation of National Socialist insignias, ever considered the Luftwaffe eagle National Socialist iconography as long as it didn't clutch a swastika in its talons. And thus, to claim that the shirt mentioned in the article is a Nazi symbol is nothing but absurd in the extreme.
That people fail to realize this is sad.
That a German, as illustrated by the aforementioned answer, failed to realize this is even sadder.
And that it is not surprising in the slightest that a German failed to realize this… that, dear reader, is very worrying.
First of all it was in the United States and they have the First Amendment of freedom of expression.
Second of all it was just more American FAKE NEWS spread by Deavon Snoke with American biased social media.
The shirt just had an eagle on it with the word “Luftwaffe” on it. It had no swastika attached.
I’m sure the word “kindergarten” and the American quarter and the rank of colonel offends this woman too.
First of all it was in the United States and they have the First Amendment of freedom of expression.
Second of all it was just more American FAKE NEWS spread by Deavon Snoke with American biased social media.
The shirt just had an eagle on it with the word “Luftwaffe” on it. It had no swastika attached.
I’m sure the word “kindergarten” and the American quarter and the rank of colonel offends this woman too.
Unfortunately there is no picture of the offending shirt in the linked article (one Instagram picture hotlinked in the picture had been taken down when I viewed the article)
The word ‘Luftwaffe’ in itself is not Nazi vocabulary - it is the generic term for air force in German, e.g. Germans would talk of the USAF as die amerikanische Luftwaffe.
As for the eagle, it depends - a spread-wing eagle holding a swastika in its talons would definitely be Nazi symbolism, on the other hand the current Luftwaffe uniform
(photograph put in the public domain by the German Ministry of Defence, according to the
Unfortunately there is no picture of the offending shirt in the linked article (one Instagram picture hotlinked in the picture had been taken down when I viewed the article)
The word ‘Luftwaffe’ in itself is not Nazi vocabulary - it is the generic term for air force in German, e.g. Germans would talk of the USAF as die amerikanische Luftwaffe.
As for the eagle, it depends - a spread-wing eagle holding a swastika in its talons would definitely be Nazi symbolism, on the other hand the current Luftwaffe uniform
(photograph put in the public domain by the German Ministry of Defence, according to the Wikipedia attribution)
seems to have a heraldic eagle on the left side (in addition to the wings on the upper right) To determine what the wearer of the T-shirt was about we’d have to read minds - he might have wanted to give off a hard-right vibe, or an edgy vibe, or most probably he donned a collection of unconsidered symbolism, like some westerners wearing Chinese or Japanese lettering that they do not understand.
I think the controversy says more than the t-shirt.
The only true way to settle this would be to find out the intent of the person who wore the shirt. It may be a hateful person trying to provoke a reaction, or it may be an innocent person, a fan of the German Air Force, who is being unfairly portrayed as something he’s not.
The person who raised such a fuss could have just walked up to the person and politely inquired as to the shirt’s meaning and the wearer’s intent. Attempting a conversation before declaring a person to be a racist would be the rational thing to do.
She may have found out that
I think the controversy says more than the t-shirt.
The only true way to settle this would be to find out the intent of the person who wore the shirt. It may be a hateful person trying to provoke a reaction, or it may be an innocent person, a fan of the German Air Force, who is being unfairly portrayed as something he’s not.
The person who raised such a fuss could have just walked up to the person and politely inquired as to the shirt’s meaning and the wearer’s intent. Attempting a conversation before declaring a person to be a racist would be the rational thing to do.
She may have found out that the wearer actually is a misguided neo-nazi, or just someone who has a friend or relative in the German Air Force, and got sent a t-shirt. To assume that the restaurant owners are nazi sympathizers based on one customer wearing a t shirt with a symbol open to interpretation shows a very frightening, Salem like trend.
We are too quick to jump to conclusions, and assume that the smallest of incidents are full blown conspiracies to deprive us of our rights.
I don’t really see that shirt (assuming it is the one linked) as being a Nazi shirt at all.
The eagle does resemble the WW2 era Luftwaffe eagle but is rather obviously NOT grasping a swastika in its talons.
As the article points out, the Luftwaffe exists today, it just means air force.
That shirt wouldn’t bother me at all, it seems to be legal in Germany where there is understandably greater sensitivity to such issues, though apparently not as much as exists in Portland! I bet you that Ms Snoke (who seems to be doing an impersonation of Janis Joplin) did not know that the Luftwaffe exists today a
I don’t really see that shirt (assuming it is the one linked) as being a Nazi shirt at all.
The eagle does resemble the WW2 era Luftwaffe eagle but is rather obviously NOT grasping a swastika in its talons.
As the article points out, the Luftwaffe exists today, it just means air force.
That shirt wouldn’t bother me at all, it seems to be legal in Germany where there is understandably greater sensitivity to such issues, though apparently not as much as exists in Portland! I bet you that Ms Snoke (who seems to be doing an impersonation of Janis Joplin) did not know that the Luftwaffe exists today as part of the Bundeswehr and is not directly related to the Luftwaffe of the Wermacht in WW2.
It is something of a stretch to assume that someone wearing such a shirt is necessarily a Nazi sympathiser, maybe they should have asked him why he chose to wear it and had a sensible discussion.
From the description given by the patron of the restaurant and the illustrations elsewhere, yes it was the swooping eagle and the name Luftwaffe in Frakturschrift. Although the name Luftwaffe is still in use for the German Airforce it is NOT using this script nor this type of eagle. Nobody in Europe would link this image to the post 1950 German Airforce, but would immediately recognize this as THE symbol for the Nazi-Luftwaffe - not buts or maybes. The missing swastika does not change a thing. The combo of this type of eagle and script is 100% and direct link to the Nazi period.
Note, modern da
From the description given by the patron of the restaurant and the illustrations elsewhere, yes it was the swooping eagle and the name Luftwaffe in Frakturschrift. Although the name Luftwaffe is still in use for the German Airforce it is NOT using this script nor this type of eagle. Nobody in Europe would link this image to the post 1950 German Airforce, but would immediately recognize this as THE symbol for the Nazi-Luftwaffe - not buts or maybes. The missing swastika does not change a thing. The combo of this type of eagle and script is 100% and direct link to the Nazi period.
Note, modern day Germany does use the eagle as its national bird in many logo’s but NOT this type. The reason, it’s linked to the Nazi’s. Also, the modern day Luftwaffe would not use Frakturschrift for the same reason … Anybody ignoring these facts is not very well versed in Modern German history …
IF Americans are not “smart” enough to make the link between the symbols and Nazi-Germany themselves, that does not bode well for their knowledge of history. If you wear a shirt with these symbols, you might as well wear a shirt with any other Nazi-symbol. It boggles the mind why one would want to wear something with a nazi-symbol … In Europe, people wearing those symbols are neo-nazi’s.
But again, the defense may be valid that maybe certain Americans are just stupid and think it cool …
BTW, whether or not it is covered by the first amendment has no impact on the question whether or not it was a Nazi-symbol.
Yesno.
Look, the idea with these kind of shirts is to not replicate the Nazi-stuff exactly, but to evoke the association, so that like minded people “get it”. You can make clear where you come from without having to go thru the trouble of making it explicit, and when somebody takes offense you can wiggle yourself out by mentioning “irony” or such things.
So when you wear such stuff, you are not a pure Nazi but an ironic Nazi.
The symbol for the Luftwaffe during Nazi Germany looked something like this:
An Eagle who has the Swastika in his claws.
The Luftwaffe T-shirt which caused the dispute in a restaurant in Portland, looks something like this:
More or less the same Eagle, but without the Swastika and the word Luftwaffe written in Fraktur (an old fashioned calligraphic hand).
The symbol of the modern Luftwaffe (air force of the German army) looks like this:
As you can see, there is no Fraktur and no eagle. Hence, the T-Shirt has nothing to do with the modern German army but draws similarity to Nazi Symbolism.
So, in my
The symbol for the Luftwaffe during Nazi Germany looked something like this:
An Eagle who has the Swastika in his claws.
The Luftwaffe T-shirt which caused the dispute in a restaurant in Portland, looks something like this:
More or less the same Eagle, but without the Swastika and the word Luftwaffe written in Fraktur (an old fashioned calligraphic hand).
The symbol of the modern Luftwaffe (air force of the German army) looks like this:
As you can see, there is no Fraktur and no eagle. Hence, the T-Shirt has nothing to do with the modern German army but draws similarity to Nazi Symbolism.
So, in my opinion, wearing such a T-Shirt shows much ignorance at best and Nazi sympathise at worst. Since many comments about this incidence, I could find on social media, seem to hint that wearing such a T-Shirt would be ok, since the modern German army has a Luftwaffe as well, I wouldn’t rule out ignorance, especially if it is worn by an American.
The swastika. A simple geometric design, twisting and turning like a pretzel on a bad acid trip.
But before it was co-opted by hate-mongers, it was just another symbol in the world's vast lexicon of meaning.
It's like finding a used condom in your grandmother's sock drawer – surprising, a little unsettling, but ultimately just another weird thing in a world full of weird things.
Now, before you get your lederhosen in a bunch, let's clear something up. The swastika wasn't invented by the Nazis.
No, it's got a pedigree older than your grandpappy's hernia. It's been found in ancient cultures all over
The swastika. A simple geometric design, twisting and turning like a pretzel on a bad acid trip.
But before it was co-opted by hate-mongers, it was just another symbol in the world's vast lexicon of meaning.
It's like finding a used condom in your grandmother's sock drawer – surprising, a little unsettling, but ultimately just another weird thing in a world full of weird things.
Now, before you get your lederhosen in a bunch, let's clear something up. The swastika wasn't invented by the Nazis.
No, it's got a pedigree older than your grandpappy's hernia. It's been found in ancient cultures all over the globe, from the dusty ruins of Troy to the ornate temples of India.
Like a cockroach, surviving through the ages, indifferent to the rise and fall of empires.
In most cultures, the swastika was a symbol of good fortune, a lucky charm to ward off evil spirits and bring prosperity.
In Hinduism, it's associated with the sun god, a symbol of light and life. In Buddhism, it represents the footprints of the Buddha, a sign of enlightenment and spiritual awakening.
But, as with all good things, someone had to come along and ruin it.
In the early 20th century, a bunch of misguided German nationalists decided to adopt the swastika as their own.
They saw it as a symbol of their supposed Aryan heritage, a link to a mythical past of blonde-haired, blue-eyed supermen.
Of course, this twisted interpretation of the swastika quickly became synonymous with the Nazi regime and its horrific crimes against humanity.
The symbol was plastered on flags, uniforms, and propaganda, a constant reminder of the darkness that had descended upon Europe.
It is a depiction of the "Reichsadler", or the imperial eagle in english. It is one of the oldest national symbols in Germany.
It has been in used by Germany since the 800 century, And is believed to have been used by Charlemagne himself.
In the middleages it was adopted as the official coat of arms for the Emporers of the first Reich.
But the other answers is right that the germans adopted it from the Roman Empire´s aquila, It just that it was not Hitler there adopted it. But the Frist Reich, who was the main claimant to be the heir of the Westen Roman Empire.
The Teutonic Order also gained t
It is a depiction of the "Reichsadler", or the imperial eagle in english. It is one of the oldest national symbols in Germany.
It has been in used by Germany since the 800 century, And is believed to have been used by Charlemagne himself.
In the middleages it was adopted as the official coat of arms for the Emporers of the first Reich.
But the other answers is right that the germans adopted it from the Roman Empire´s aquila, It just that it was not Hitler there adopted it. But the Frist Reich, who was the main claimant to be the heir of the Westen Roman Empire.
The Teutonic Order also gained the privilege to display the Imperial eagle in their coat of arms, which they added to there flag, when the Teutonic Order transformed in to the nation of Prussia.
It has ofcourse gone through some changes over the centuries since then, There was even a periode where it was depicted with two heads.
After the fall of the frist Reich, it was adopted by the German Confederation, and even later on by the Second Reich; the German Empire.
The Weimar Republic also used the symbol.
In 1935 the Nazi adopted the version the answer depict. They actuel made two versions; One with the eagle looking over its left shoulder, that is, looking to the right from the viewer's point of view, it symbolises the Nazi Party, and was therefore called the Parteiadler, the party eagle.
The other version of the eagle it is looking over its right shoulder, that is, looking to the left from the viewer's point of view. This version symbolises the country, the Reichsadler.
The eagle with its keen eyes symbolized perspicacity, courage, strength and immortality, but is also considered "king of the skies" and messenger of the highest gods. With these attributed qualities the eagle became a symbol of power and strength.
A person carrying the symbol of an eagle is said to bear weapons, and where the eagle's wings spread it was said to indicate the bearer's role as a protector.
The Reichsadler is the protector of Germany it is why it is/was used on goverment building and in the millitary.
Modern day Germany still uses the Reichsadler, even thought it was renamed the Bundesadler; " the federal eagle".
And of course again a new depiction:
The coat of arms of Germany
But this does not stop the Eagle continues watch over Germany and its people.
I would generalize that it is probably offensive to most people if you display a swastika anywhere on your body, anywhere in the world.
Of course, unless the swastika is accompanied with one of those cross-out circles or the like.
I would generalize that it is probably offensive to most people if you display a swastika anywhere on your body, anywhere in the world.
Of course, unless the swastika is accompanied with one of those cross-out circles or the like.
There are many badges worn by Nazi soldiers of the 3rd Reich. Here are a few examples.
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen or Infantry Assault Badge. Heer Wehrmacht.
Pilotenabzeichen or Pilots’ Badge. Luftwaffe Wehrmacht.
U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen or U-boat War Badge. Kriegsmarine Wehrmacht.
Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen or General Assault Badge. Waffen-SS and Ordnungspolize
Panzerkampfabzeichen or Panzer (Tank) Badge.
Fallschirmschützenabzeichen or Parachutist Badge.
Heeres-Flak Abzeichen or Army Anti-Aircraft Badge.
Nahkampfspange or Close Combat Clasp.
Verwundetenabzeichen or Wound Badge.
Hitler had one of these, bu
There are many badges worn by Nazi soldiers of the 3rd Reich. Here are a few examples.
Infanterie-Sturmabzeichen or Infantry Assault Badge. Heer Wehrmacht.
Pilotenabzeichen or Pilots’ Badge. Luftwaffe Wehrmacht.
U-Boot-Kriegsabzeichen or U-boat War Badge. Kriegsmarine Wehrmacht.
Allgemeines Sturmabzeichen or General Assault Badge. Waffen-SS and Ordnungspolize
Panzerkampfabzeichen or Panzer (Tank) Badge.
Fallschirmschützenabzeichen or Parachutist Badge.
Heeres-Flak Abzeichen or Army Anti-Aircraft Badge.
Nahkampfspange or Close Combat Clasp.
Verwundetenabzeichen or Wound Badge.
Hitler had one of these, but it was the WWI Wound Badge.
There are about 18 more badges. These above are the more popular ones.
This is really subjective. The swastika is from Sanskrit Sauvastika and is an ancient religious symbol often seen in Hinduism and Buddhism. This is the origin of the swastika. Practitioners of these religions will recognize this as being a symbol of spirituality, not an offensive symbol. Unfortunately, the National Socialist party took that meaning away when they used it as their emblem to represent their idea of an Aryan race.
No, it doesn’t symbolise anything.
In fact, the official specification for the Nazi flag placed the circle and the swastika dead-centre in the middle of the flag.
However, on 20 December 1933 a decree was issued authorising an off-centre version of the Swastika flag for use at sea. This was purely a practical decision intended to make the emblem more visible (because it would be closer to the flagpole).
Other nations sometimes make similar variations to their naval flags. For example, the French national flag has three vertical stripes of equal width, but the French ensign for use at sea has stri
No, it doesn’t symbolise anything.
In fact, the official specification for the Nazi flag placed the circle and the swastika dead-centre in the middle of the flag.
However, on 20 December 1933 a decree was issued authorising an off-centre version of the Swastika flag for use at sea. This was purely a practical decision intended to make the emblem more visible (because it would be closer to the flagpole).
Other nations sometimes make similar variations to their naval flags. For example, the French national flag has three vertical stripes of equal width, but the French ensign for use at sea has stripes in the proportions 30:33:37. The Japanese naval ensign also has the red sun-disc shifted towards the hoist (flagpole side) of the ensign, while on the national flag it is centred. Even British naval ensigns place a miniature version of the Union Jack in the top left corner (canton) of the flag, rather than using that flag itself while at sea.
The reasons are the same in each case: to improve the appearance (‘optical proportions’) of the flag when used at sea, and improve the visibility of the important design elements.
In the case of Nazi Germany, there does seem to have been some confusion over which was the correct flag. The naval version was always used at sea, but was also sometimes used on land as well; the original (centred) version of the flag was only ever used on land.
Vienna, March 1938. Note centred flags.
Sounds like a reasonable statement.
Post-War Germany is a new nation and a new people.
The last thing that they want around is a old Nazi flag.
It does not originate with the Nazis but the especially the SS was quite fond of it. They were a bit esoteric.
That is the “Schwarze Sonne”, the Black Sun, in the Wewelsburg, the castle of the SS.
So at the very least people will associate you with völkisch and nordish neo-paganist ideologies which are also close to Neo-Nazis.
It does not originate with the Nazis but the especially the SS was quite fond of it. They were a bit esoteric.
That is the “Schwarze Sonne”, the Black Sun, in the Wewelsburg, the castle of the SS.
So at the very least people will associate you with völkisch and nordish neo-paganist ideologies which are also close to Neo-Nazis.
It’s not. It’s merely a symbol. Some people just like the look of it alone, not the associations that always come with it. Don’t be offended by Nazi symbols, they are part of history and should be remembered, not erased and forgotten. It’s the actual crimes committed by the individual soldiers you should be concerned about, not the symbol the soldiers fought under and swore to protect. That’s not to say you should freely draw this symbol anywhere and everywhere. I am just saying that we shouldn’t erase it from history, and that the symbol by itself alone is not offensive at all. Some people ju
It’s not. It’s merely a symbol. Some people just like the look of it alone, not the associations that always come with it. Don’t be offended by Nazi symbols, they are part of history and should be remembered, not erased and forgotten. It’s the actual crimes committed by the individual soldiers you should be concerned about, not the symbol the soldiers fought under and swore to protect. That’s not to say you should freely draw this symbol anywhere and everywhere. I am just saying that we shouldn’t erase it from history, and that the symbol by itself alone is not offensive at all. Some people just refuse to accept that.
“What did the Nazi symbol stand for before it became the Nazi symbol?”
Remember that very many democracies use the Roman eagle among their symbols. When the Western Roman Empire remained intact, their eagle represented genocide and slavery. The eagle also took centuries to heal into a positive symbol.
For around two more centuries, the sunwheel will remain too toxic to touch. None of us will be alive when it’s no longer toxic. Neither will any of our grand children. But in the fullness of time it will resume its old meanings.
The sunwheel used to mean these and more -
The lightning strike of Thor’
“What did the Nazi symbol stand for before it became the Nazi symbol?”
Remember that very many democracies use the Roman eagle among their symbols. When the Western Roman Empire remained intact, their eagle represented genocide and slavery. The eagle also took centuries to heal into a positive symbol.
For around two more centuries, the sunwheel will remain too toxic to touch. None of us will be alive when it’s no longer toxic. Neither will any of our grand children. But in the fullness of time it will resume its old meanings.
The sunwheel used to mean these and more -
The lightning strike of Thor’s hammer.
The dynamic strength of nature.
The wheel of reincarnation.
The four seasons of the year, the cycle of the seasons and the four winds.
The location of a Buddhist temple. This use remains active in non-western cultures to this day. Not all of our world was polluted when they took that symbol as their flag.
An important ideology of Nazism was anti - Semitism and belief in superiority of “Aryan Race.” Moreover, the Swastika was a symbol for both Aryans, and as well as for good luck and auspiciousness.
Source: Post–World War II legality of Nazi flags - Wikipedia
In the words of Adolf Hitler:
As National Socialists, we see our program in our flag. In red, we see the social idea of the movement; in white, the nationalistic idea; in the Hakenkreuz, the mission of the struggle for the victory of the Aryan man, and, by the same token, the victory of the idea of creative work.
Note: The literal meaning of H
Footnotes
An important ideology of Nazism was anti - Semitism and belief in superiority of “Aryan Race.” Moreover, the Swastika was a symbol for both Aryans, and as well as for good luck and auspiciousness.
Source: Post–World War II legality of Nazi flags - Wikipedia
In the words of Adolf Hitler:
As National Socialists, we see our program in our flag. In red, we see the social idea of the movement; in white, the nationalistic idea; in the Hakenkreuz, the mission of the struggle for the victory of the Aryan man, and, by the same token, the victory of the idea of creative work.
Note: The literal meaning of Hakenkreuz is Swastika. Translating it in English would give “Hooked cross,” which is a description of the shape of the symbol.
Footnotes
No, because Europeans generally don’t care about Japanese acts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity because almost all of them were committed against Asians rather than against “White” people — and there is an apparent lack of interest in Europe about the Japanese war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Allied POWs and Allied civilians (in particular the Dutch women
No, because Europeans generally don’t care about Japanese acts of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity because almost all of them were committed against Asians rather than against “White” people — and there is an apparent lack of interest in Europe about the Japanese war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Allied POWs and Allied civilians (in particular the Dutch women in what was then the Netherlands East Indies who were forced to become “comfort women” aka prostitutes for the Japanese military).
There is — embarrassingly — the same lack of interest in the Japanese war crimes and crimes against humanity committed against Allied POWs and Allied civilians (in particular the Dutch women in what was then the Netherlands East Indies who were forced to become “comfort women” aka p...
it depends.
if it offends someone, then it's offensive. But literally anything can offend someone.
sieg heil just means "hail victory"
technically it isn't really offensive unless someone finds it offensive.
SIEG HEIL!
it's just a phrase. If someone said "I like cats" someone who hates cats would be offended.
everything and nothing is offensive. Anything can be offensive, but nothing really offends everyone.
sure it may be annoying, but it's just a phrase. It's not hurting you, if it does, then you're letting it hurt you.
It’s a stylized, modernized eagle, different from the Hohenzollern eagle of the German Empire from 1871-1918. This is a deliberate effort to keep a link to German history, similar to the Nazi adaptation of the German Empire’s red, black, and white colors of the flag. It shows a nod to the old empire, and those who fought under those colors in World War I. Remember that Hitler was a corporal in the army of the Kaiser during the the 1914–1918. It also helped to garner the votes of World War I voters when the Nazis were running for Reichstag seats in the last years of the Weimar Republic. Hitler
It’s a stylized, modernized eagle, different from the Hohenzollern eagle of the German Empire from 1871-1918. This is a deliberate effort to keep a link to German history, similar to the Nazi adaptation of the German Empire’s red, black, and white colors of the flag. It shows a nod to the old empire, and those who fought under those colors in World War I. Remember that Hitler was a corporal in the army of the Kaiser during the the 1914–1918. It also helped to garner the votes of World War I voters when the Nazis were running for Reichstag seats in the last years of the Weimar Republic. Hitler understood symbolism.
The Nazi swastika,
Was a symbol of the Aryan race and its superiority.
The Aryan race is a race of blonde hair and blue eyes. Those who don’t fit the image can get offended by this image. I have dirty blonde hair and green eyes. Am I offended?
No, I have a life. But some people feel differently and that’s ok. :)
The Nazi swastika,
Was a symbol of the Aryan race and its superiority.
The Aryan race is a race of blonde hair and blue eyes. Those who don’t fit the image can get offended by this image. I have dirty blonde hair and green eyes. Am I offended?
No, I have a life. But some people feel differently and that’s ok. :)
No, and no.
As to the rising sun flag: Most people would regocnize it, but in the sense of the official Japanese flag if you mean the flg with the sun, but without the rays.
If you mean the OFFICIAL navy flag, with the 16 rays, I am not be sure how many people would recognize it, but except a few other East Asians no one would care if the you did.
Rising Sun Flag - Wikipedia TODAYS Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force - Wikipedia flag, but only nuances in color and design different to pre-1945 Imperial Navy flag,
If you shout Nippon Banzai people would look. But nothing happens, until you shout it re
No, and no.
As to the rising sun flag: Most people would regocnize it, but in the sense of the official Japanese flag if you mean the flg with the sun, but without the rays.
If you mean the OFFICIAL navy flag, with the 16 rays, I am not be sure how many people would recognize it, but except a few other East Asians no one would care if the you did.
Rising Sun Flag - Wikipedia TODAYS Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force - Wikipedia flag, but only nuances in color and design different to pre-1945 Imperial Navy flag,
If you shout Nippon Banzai people would look. But nothing happens, until you shout it repeatedly and very loudly.
And no, it is neither legally nor otherwise the same as Heil Hitler or other Nazi symbols, which are prohibited.
Depends on the context. If it's not in the context of a discussion about history, or not done extremely ironically (eg. I could imagine it working as part of a stand up routine but there would also be a high chance of the routine not working), it is extremely offensive. The phrase is inextricably bound up with National Socialism.
So yes, it is almost certainly offensive. It is inoffensive in only a few, limited contexts. And in the comedy context, it's transgressive even if not offensive.
In the question details, you claim you don't see how it could be offensive. Yes, it does translate to "
Depends on the context. If it's not in the context of a discussion about history, or not done extremely ironically (eg. I could imagine it working as part of a stand up routine but there would also be a high chance of the routine not working), it is extremely offensive. The phrase is inextricably bound up with National Socialism.
So yes, it is almost certainly offensive. It is inoffensive in only a few, limited contexts. And in the comedy context, it's transgressive even if not offensive.
In the question details, you claim you don't see how it could be offensive. Yes, it does translate to "hail victory". But think how it has been used historically. It was said whilst performing the Nazi salute. Saluting a political movement that was responsible for the mass murder of millions of people. A political movement that is literally the standard example of evil in common discourse.
There was a great answer by David S. Rose a while back on a similar question. Read it in full because it's absolutely brilliant. If you still don't understand why "sieg heil" is offensive, I'd be surprised.
The most likely consequence of you saying "sieg heil" is that those who hear you think you're an anti-semite and/or you getting punched in the nose.
Symbols are offensive because of the evils that they represent.. To those who have been affected by the Holocaust it certainly would be the most evil of actions which this symbol represents. To those who have been affected by slavery, the Confederate flag may be.. To those who are Christians, satanic symbols may be. To those who have been affected by violence, sadomasochistic suggestions may be. So the offense is really in the perception and interpretation of the beholder. That said, the swastika represents the greatest evil in living memory
In a nutshell, eagles are like the kings of birds so it represents superiority of Nazism and the Aryan race. But more importantly it invokes images of the Roman Empire which also used the Eagle as its standard. Note that the United States and the Russian Federation also use the Eagle as a national symbol. Interesting fact, the United States seal was originally slated to be a Phoenix, a mythical bird of fire that fell from the sky to then be reborn from the ashes. This pertains to certain conspiracies that claim that this and other imagery are not-so-subtle references to the story of Lucifer.
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In a nutshell, eagles are like the kings of birds so it represents superiority of Nazism and the Aryan race. But more importantly it invokes images of the Roman Empire which also used the Eagle as its standard. Note that the United States and the Russian Federation also use the Eagle as a national symbol. Interesting fact, the United States seal was originally slated to be a Phoenix, a mythical bird of fire that fell from the sky to then be reborn from the ashes. This pertains to certain conspiracies that claim that this and other imagery are not-so-subtle references to the story of Lucifer.
Other sybols taken from the Romans include the olive branch and the Fascist/Nazi salute.
In brief, the Swastika is an ancient symbol, which was certainly used by northern peoples, both European and Asian. It probably originated from the constellation around the pole star, which rotated counter-clockwise (“corners first”), and then as people moved south into Europe and India, was transformed into a solar symbol with a clockwise rotation (“arms first”). It is an “Aryan” symbol for good fortune. It was widely used before the Nazis in various countries for various positive reasons; e.g Kipling. Hitler did NOT reverse it - he turned into an impressive flag, but ALSO fatally into a spec
In brief, the Swastika is an ancient symbol, which was certainly used by northern peoples, both European and Asian. It probably originated from the constellation around the pole star, which rotated counter-clockwise (“corners first”), and then as people moved south into Europe and India, was transformed into a solar symbol with a clockwise rotation (“arms first”). It is an “Aryan” symbol for good fortune. It was widely used before the Nazis in various countries for various positive reasons; e.g Kipling. Hitler did NOT reverse it - he turned into an impressive flag, but ALSO fatally into a specifically anti-Jewish symbol.
The German Hakenkreuz shares with the Red Cross of St George, the Hammer & Sickle and the Muslim Flag of Iran an aesthetic appeal as well as a political charge, for good or ill.
A2A. I’m not sure that it is correct to call the heraldic eagle a Nazi symbol.
The Nazis used a lot of symbols, but I would say that only the swastika, the “SS bolts”, the SS death’s head and the eagle specifically with a swastika have become proper Nazi symbols. The Neo-Nazis use a lot more symbols and are trying to tie those symbols to Nazism, but so far they’re mostly muddying the waters.
The eagle as a symbol is connected with sovereignty, power, and wisdom, and by extension to patriotism or nationalism. It makes sense that Nazis would use the eagle as a symbol, but it also makes sense that
A2A. I’m not sure that it is correct to call the heraldic eagle a Nazi symbol.
The Nazis used a lot of symbols, but I would say that only the swastika, the “SS bolts”, the SS death’s head and the eagle specifically with a swastika have become proper Nazi symbols. The Neo-Nazis use a lot more symbols and are trying to tie those symbols to Nazism, but so far they’re mostly muddying the waters.
The eagle as a symbol is connected with sovereignty, power, and wisdom, and by extension to patriotism or nationalism. It makes sense that Nazis would use the eagle as a symbol, but it also makes sense that groups far removed from the Nazis would use it.
The coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire (the First Reich, not that anyone was counting until the Third) was, well, complicated, but its basic element was a two-headed black eagle on gold. This was later the coat of arms of the German Empire (the Second Reich), and, simplified to a one-headed black eagle on gold, the coat of arms of the Weimar Republic. For that matter, with the eagle redesigned a bit, it’s the coat of arms of the modern Bundesrepublik.
In other words, the eagle was a German rather than specifically Nazi symbol, although the Nazis redesigned it to look different from classic i
The coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire (the First Reich, not that anyone was counting until the Third) was, well, complicated, but its basic element was a two-headed black eagle on gold. This was later the coat of arms of the German Empire (the Second Reich), and, simplified to a one-headed black eagle on gold, the coat of arms of the Weimar Republic. For that matter, with the eagle redesigned a bit, it’s the coat of arms of the modern Bundesrepublik.
In other words, the eagle was a German rather than specifically Nazi symbol, although the Nazis redesigned it to look different from classic imperial or republican designs, and of course added a swastika (Hakenkreuz), which of course was the distinctively Nazi symbol.
You are probably thinking of WW2 German Prison Camps where prisoners had coloured triangles to sew on their striped clothes
A single triangle indicated non-jew and had a point uppermost.
A Jew would have two yellow triangles sewn one over the other with point uppermost AND the other pointing down making the star of David.
A red triangle indicated Political Prisoner
Greens and Black triangles indicated Criminals
Pink was Homosexual
There were other colours and combinations
Look it up on the Internet to see more information. It gave guards some idea of who was what type, as the prisoners were all dress
You are probably thinking of WW2 German Prison Camps where prisoners had coloured triangles to sew on their striped clothes
A single triangle indicated non-jew and had a point uppermost.
A Jew would have two yellow triangles sewn one over the other with point uppermost AND the other pointing down making the star of David.
A red triangle indicated Political Prisoner
Greens and Black triangles indicated Criminals
Pink was Homosexual
There were other colours and combinations
Look it up on the Internet to see more information. It gave guards some idea of who was what type, as the prisoners were all dressed the same.
It’s offensive any where, any time. When is it not offensive? Prince Harry once dressed as a Nazi soldier for Halloween and never heard the end of it. That was one bad decision. And a Royal no less. Keep your swastikas home and enjoy them there. You could get yourself in a fight, asked to leave, or even killed. Watch out. Totally not worth it.
The heraldic eagle was derived from the Roman eagle standard, used by the Holy Roman Emperors. It developed into a symbol in many European coats of arms of royal and important families.
The German royalty used the heraldic eagle as their symbol for many centuries before the Nazi rise to power.
When the Nazi’s wanted to show that they were a part of the history of the German people they used many old symbols like the German Eagle as a part of their symbolism.
The swastika was being employed by German nationalist or pro-Aryan groups before Hitler adopted it for the Nazis. It was a symbol that became popularized in Germany through the emergent archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann when he discovered the swastika used in the architecture in the ruins of Troy. It was used by the paramilitary Freikorps who opposed the communists in the German Revolution of 1918–19. Since it was already a symbol associated with rightist German nationalism and para-militarists similar to the Sturmabteilung, so it seemed a useful symbol to employ. I am told that when Hitler wa
The swastika was being employed by German nationalist or pro-Aryan groups before Hitler adopted it for the Nazis. It was a symbol that became popularized in Germany through the emergent archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann when he discovered the swastika used in the architecture in the ruins of Troy. It was used by the paramilitary Freikorps who opposed the communists in the German Revolution of 1918–19. Since it was already a symbol associated with rightist German nationalism and para-militarists similar to the Sturmabteilung, so it seemed a useful symbol to employ. I am told that when Hitler was growing up in Austria he would pass a monastery on his way to school that had a swastika displayed as part of the monastery's marque. Whether this had an influence on the later Hitler is one of conjecture.
It certainly has appeal. There are few symbols that have been used as widely across time or culture as the sawstika. It is a measure of the depravity of Nazism that it has become so thoroughly defamed since its use by that movement.
Symbols in Nazism
The 20th century founded Nazi Party made extensive symbols, especially the Swastika. They would use it in their flag. They made their first flag with early 20th century. This flag became the co-national flag of Nazi Germany in 1933 and national flag in 1935.
The Swastika
The Nazi's main symbol was the Swastika. The emblem was a black swastika (卐) rotated 45 degrees on a white circle on a red background. This insignia was used on the party's flag, badge, and armband.
Here is a fun fact, exactly same kind of symbols would use in United States's postcards wishing people good luck in
Symbols in Nazism
The 20th century founded Nazi Party made extensive symbols, especially the Swastika. They would use it in their flag. They made their first flag with early 20th century. This flag became the co-national flag of Nazi Germany in 1933 and national flag in 1935.
The Swastika
The Nazi's main symbol was the Swastika. The emblem was a black swastika (卐) rotated 45 degrees on a white circle on a red background. This insignia was used on the party's flag, badge, and armband.
Here is a fun fact, exactly same kind of symbols would use in United States's postcards wishing people good luck in the early 1900s.
The black-white-red motif is based on the colours of the flags of the German Empire. This colour scheme was commonly associated with anti-Weimar German nationalists, following the fall of the German Empire.
The Nazis denounced the black-red-gold flag of the Weimar republic (the current flag of Germany). According to Wikipedia.
In his autobiography Mein Kampf, Hitler described the symbolism of Nazism: “The red expressed the social thought underlying the movement. White the national thought. And the swastika signified the mission allotted to us-the struggle for the victory of Aryan mankind and at the same time the triumph of the ideal of creative work ...”
Today, countries like Germany, France, Austria, Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine and obviously United States of America banned this symbol. If any person use this publicly, it is considered as a very offensive criminal act.
Source: Wikipedia👍👍👍
P.S: If I made any kind of mistake either grammatical or spelling errors kindly forgive me.✍️✍️✍️✍️🙏🙏🙏🙏
Hope it helps. Stay blessed.🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌
What is Swastika Meaning a Hindu Symbol? HindUtsav
“The swastika is derived from Sanskrit word “Swasti” meaning may all be well with you. “
“A right-handed Swastika stands for Lord Vishnu and the Sun, while the left-handed Swastika is a symbol of Kali and Magic.”
From what I have learned about “Magic,” is that it’s usually employed for dark purposes, which have a string of possible dangers attached to practicing it, whether it’s spiritual demonic possession or simply being put in jail for performing some heinous act to make the magic work, it’s best not to engage in such activities. Magic is just
What is Swastika Meaning a Hindu Symbol? HindUtsav
“The swastika is derived from Sanskrit word “Swasti” meaning may all be well with you. “
“A right-handed Swastika stands for Lord Vishnu and the Sun, while the left-handed Swastika is a symbol of Kali and Magic.”
From what I have learned about “Magic,” is that it’s usually employed for dark purposes, which have a string of possible dangers attached to practicing it, whether it’s spiritual demonic possession or simply being put in jail for performing some heinous act to make the magic work, it’s best not to engage in such activities. Magic is just an ancient word for science.
So, with that said, I see no reason why you can’t flip the definition given above, “may all be well with you,“ on it’s head and presume that a “backwards nazi symbol,” probably defines as: May everything be dire with you.”
As both a German AND a Monarchist, I can tell you in no uncertain terms, that although we have never met face to face, you are skating on incredibly thin ice, causing offence in advance of any introduction.
In defence of your question, I suggest you begin to study the origins of both the phrase itself and the and the history surrounding it. Separate the words, each is individually acceptable and used in a wide manner. But once together they are a very specific and unique turn of phrase, one with a dark history from 1920 onward.
Strangely, there was no unified codes….. And as the war progressed, it was pretty much forgotten. But here is the one used in Dachau.
From Wikipedia:
- Red triangle – political prisoners: social democrats, liberals, socialists, communists, anarchists, gentiles who assisted Jews; trade unionists; and Freemasons.
- Green triangle – convicts and criminals (often working as kapos).
- Blue triangle – foreign forced laborers and emigrants. This category included apatrides, Spanish refugees from Francoist Spain, whose citizenship was revoked and emigrants to countries which were occupied by Nazi Germany or wer
Strangely, there was no unified codes….. And as the war progressed, it was pretty much forgotten. But here is the one used in Dachau.
From Wikipedia:
- Red triangle – political prisoners: social democrats, liberals, socialists, communists, anarchists, gentiles who assisted Jews; trade unionists; and Freemasons.
- Green triangle – convicts and criminals (often working as kapos).
- Blue triangle – foreign forced laborers and emigrants. This category included apatrides, Spanish refugees from Francoist Spain, whose citizenship was revoked and emigrants to countries which were occupied by Nazi Germany or were under German sphere of influence.[2]
- Purple triangle – primarily Jehovah's Witnesses (over 99%) as well as members of other small pacifist religious groups.[notes 1]
- Pink triangle – primarily homosexual men and those identified as such (e.g., bisexualmen, trans women)[3][4][5] and sexual offenders as well as pedophiles and zoophiles.[6]
- Black triangle – people who were deemed asocial elements (asozial) and work-shy (arbeitsscheu), including the following:Roma and Sinti. They wore the black triangle with a Z notation (for Zigeuner, meaning Gypsy) to the right of the triangle's point.[7] Male Romani were later assigned a brown triangle. Female Romani were still deemed asocials as they were stereotyped as petty criminals (prostitutes, kidnappers and fortune tellers).Mentally ill and mentally disabled. Their triangles were inscribed with the word Blöd, meaning stupid.[8]Alcoholics and drug addicts.Vagrants and beggars.Pacifists and conscription resisters.Prostitutes.[9][10]Lesbians.[11]
- Brown triangle – Romani males.
- Uninverted red triangle – an enemy POW(Sonderhäftling, meaning special detainee), a spy or traitor (Aktionshäftling, meaning activities detainee), or a military deserter or criminal (Wehrmachtsangehöriger, meaning service member).