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Wolfsangel

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	Topics Wolfsangel Topic Home The Wolfsangel is a symbolSymbol A symbol, in its basic sense, is a conventional representation of a concept; i.e., an idea, object, quality, quantity, etc.... originating in GermanyGermany Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in central Europe.... . It is also known as the Wolf's Hook or Doppelhaken. The upright variant is also known as "thunderboltThunderbolt A thunderbolt is a traditional expression for a discharge of lightning or a symbolic representation thereof.... " (Donnerkeil) and the horizontal variant as "werewolfWerewolf A werewolf in folklore and mythology is a person who shapeshifts into a wolf, either purposely, by using magic, or after be... ". Historically, the symbol possibly originated as a mason's markMason's mark A mason's mark is a symbol often found on dressed stone in buildings and other public structures.... and was used as a heraldicHeraldry Heraldry is the practice of designing, displaying, describing and recording coats of arms and badges, as well as the formal ... symbol in coats of armsCoat of arms A coat of arms or armorial bearings , in European tradition, is a design belonging to a particular person and used by... . Today, the symbol appears in numerous city coats of arms. A variant was adopted by several military units of Nazi GermanyNazi Germany Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, refers to Germany in the years 1933 to 1945, when it was governed by the National So... . Due to this, along with continuing use by Neo-Nazi organisations, the symbol is now sometimes associated with Nazism as are many of the old folk symbols of the Germanic peoplesGermanic peoples The Germanic peoples are groups of people identified by their use of the Germanic languages that are descended from Proto-Ge... , most notably the fylfotFylfot ... . Origins While the actual origins of the symbol appear to have been lost in obscurity, various theoretical explanations, historical traces and folk legends exist. Heraldry The term Wolfsangel is often used to describe three distinct heraldic chargesCharge (heraldry) Summary In heraldry, a charge is an image occupying the field on an escutcheon.... . Incorrectly for the cramp or cramp iron (ger. Mauerhaken or Doppelhaken) as well as for two variants of the actual wolftrap (ger. respectively Wolfsanker and Wolfshaken). The name Wolfsangel appears in a 1714 heraldic handbook, Wapenkunst, associated with a different symbol: Wolffs-Angel, frantz. hamecon, lat. uncus quo lupi capiuntur, ist die Form eines halben Mondes und hat inwendig in der Mitte einen Ring. "Wolffs-Angel, French hamecon, Latin uncus quo lupi capiuntur ("hook with which wolves are caught"), is the shape of a crescent moon with a ring inside, at mid-height" Wolf Trap It is likely that the Wolfsangel was originally a hunting or rather trapping tool used to capture wolves. Mason's Marks Many people believe the sign originated as a mason's markMason's mark A mason's mark is a symbol often found on dressed stone in buildings and other public structures.... as seen in 13th13th century As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300.... to 16th century16th century Overview As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600.... stonework. More likely, the cramp iron which is commonly confused with the Wolfshaken, might have originated as a building tool. Alleged Runic Origins While the symbol itself bears a parallel to the EihwazEihwaz Eihwaz was a Proto-Germanic word for "yew", and the reconstructed name of the rune ?.... rune, none of the modern symbols now called the Wolfsangel are historically part of any runic alphabet. The EihwazEihwaz Eihwaz was a Proto-Germanic word for "yew", and the reconstructed name of the rune ?.... does appear twice in the phrase, "eigi einhamr" which means, "not of one skin" and most of the other runes in the term are also represented within the mark. The earliest documented claim that the shape is runic in origin can be traced to Guido von ListGuido von List Guido Karl Anton List, better known as Guido von List, author of Secret of the Runes, was an occult and vlkisch'... 's alleged mental vision of 18 "Armanen runesArmanen runes The Armanen runes are a row of 18 runes closely based on the Younger Futhark invented by, or according to his claim "reveale... " in 1902 -- which is to say that it is without historical basis. The figure he calls the "GiborGibor Gibor is one of the Armanen runes devised by Guido von List in 1902 .... rune" has a similar shape, and he attributes to it a g sound. However, it should be noted that the shape of Gibor was 'altered' in the 1930s to more closely fit with the idea that the Wolfsangel IS the same as Gibor, when in fact the form of the Gibor rune, as originally envisaged by von List is somewhat different. According to List, it is the 18th and final member of the alleged original rune row (the Younger FutharkFacts About Younger Futhark The Younger Fuþark, also called Scandinavian Fuþark, are a runic alphabet, a reduced form of the Elder Futhark, consis... has 16 runes). Due to this, the Wolfsangel sometimes appears listed as the 34th rune in Armanen row-influenced esoteric contexts , but the Futhorc actually only has 33 runes. Literature Fiction In 1910, Hermann LönsHermann Löns Hermann L?ns was a German journalist and writer.... published a classic fiction book titled Der Wehrwolf (later published as Harm Wulf, a peasant chronicle and The Warwolf in English) set in a 17th-century German farming community during the Thirty Years' WarFacts About Thirty Years' War The Thirty Years' War was fought between 1618 and 1648, principally on the territory of today's Germany, and involved most o... . The main character of the book, Harm Wolf, adopts the wolfsangel as a badge against the occupying forces of the ruling princes. Some printings of this book, such as the 1940 edition, showcase a very visible wolfsangel on the book cover. Modern Use Religious Use The Church of SatanChurch of Satan The Church of Satan is a religious organization for those who practice Satanism as articulated in The Satanic Bible, wri... has incorporated the symbol as, "a talisman of power representing nature in perfect balance." Along with the Black Sun it is used on various merchandise in their official emporium of jewelery and ritual accessories. Third Reich Use In Nazi Germany, the Wolfsangel was used by: the 2. SS Division Das Reich the 4. SS Polizei Division the 34. SS Volunteer Grenadier Division Landstorm Nederland the 60. Panzergrenadier-Division "Feldherrnhalle" the Sturmabteilung "Feldherrnhalle" Wachstandart Kampfrunen (Assault Unit--SA--"Warlord’s Hall" Guard Regiment the Hitlerjugend the NS-Volkswohlfahrt Neo-Nazi Use After World War IIWorld War II World War II, or the Second World War, was a worldwide conflict fought between the Allied Powers and the Axis Powers ,... , the symbol was used by the following Neo-Nazi organizations: the "Aktion Nationale Sozialisten / Nationale Aktivisten" (ANS/NA) the "Junge Front" (JF) section of the "Volkssozialistische Bewegung Deutschlands" (VSBD) the "Wiking-JugendWiking-Jugend The "Wiking-Jugend" was a German Neo-Nazi organization modelled after the Hitlerjugend.... " the SwedishSweden The Kingdom of Sweden is a Nordic country in Scandinavia.... Vitt Ariskt MotståndWhite Aryan Resistance (Sweden) White Aryan Resistance, also known as VAM, is a network of Neo-Nazi groups in Sweden.... (White Aryan Resistance), which refers to the symbol as werewolfWerewolf A werewolf in folklore and mythology is a person who shapeshifts into a wolf, either purposely, by using magic, or after be... the WolfsEngels ("wolfsangels") Public exhibition of the symbol is illegal in GermanyGermany Summary Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a country in central Europe.... if a connection with one of these groups is apparent. In Italy, the neofascist organization Terza PosizioneTerza Posizione The Terza Posizione was a far right group founded in Rome in 1979.... used a modifed wolfsangel as their symbol. Music The wolfsangel is sometimes used by artists working in various forms of media, most notably musical. Various neofolkNeofolk Neofolk is a form of folk music that emerged from European ideals and post-industrial music circles.... & martialMartial music Martial music, also known as military pop and martial industrial, is a music genre originating in late 20th cent... musicians, related artists and fans have used the symbol for aesthetical approach. The symbol was once used extensively by Boyd RiceBoyd Rice Boyd Rice is an American experimental sound artist, occultist, archivist, actor, photographer, prankster and writer best kno... and Death In June. The wolfsangel has also appeared in use by Ulver and NeurosisNeurosis (band) band_name= Neurosis\| image = \| caption = from left to right: Dave, Noah, Scott, Steve and Jason... . There are two bands called Wolfsangel, one is a Russian Folk Metal band, the other is a French white power band. See also Fascist symbolismFascist symbolism As there were many different manifestations of fascism, especially during the interwar years, there were also many different sy... Guido von ListGuido von List Guido Karl Anton List, better known as Guido von List, author of Secret of the Runes, was an occult and vlkisch'... SS unit insigniaSS unit insignia SS unit insignia was a form of uniform insignia used by the S.S.... External links on symbols.com on symbols.com