Germany
Further information:
Nazi symbolism,
Strafgesetzbuch § 86a,
Odalism, and
Troll cross
Flag of the
Volksdeutsche 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen
Insignias of the
7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen and the
23rd SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division Nederland
The rendition of the Odal rune with
wings or
feet (
serifs) was the badge of the
SS Race and Settlement Main Office, which was responsible for maintaining the racial purity of the
Nazi Schutzstaffel (SS).
[5] It was also the emblem of
ethnic Germans (
Volksdeutsche) of the
7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen operating during
World War II in the Nazi Germany-sponsored
Independent State of Croatia. This rendition has been used by the Neo-Nazi
Wiking-Jugend in Germany, and in
South Africa by the Anglo-Afrikaner Bond, the
Boeremag, the
Blanke Bevrydingsbeweging,
[6] and the Italian neo-fascist group
National Vanguard. This particular rendition has no historical significance outside of Nazi Germany. Because of its Nazi associations,
Strafgesetzbuch 86a bans any usage of the Odal rune as with most other symbols if used in a Neo-Nazi context.
Another version with arrows on the end was used by the
23rd SS Volunteer Panzer Grenadier Division Nederland.
South Africa
It was used by the Afrikaner Student Federation and the far-right wing
White Liberation Movement.
[7][8]
United States
In November 2016, the leadership of the
National Socialist Movement announced their intention to replace the Nazi-pattern
swastika with the Odal rune on their uniforms and party regalia in an attempt to enter mainstream politics.
[9][10]
At the
Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held in Orlando, Florida, on February 25–28, 2021, the floor layout of the main stage resembled the odal rune with wings/feet, leading to speculation on
social media as to why that design was chosen. CPAC chairman
Matt Schlapp said comparisons were “outrageous and slanderous”.
[11]
New Zealand
The symbol was used with the
Black Sun/Sonnenrad/Schwarze Sonne,
Tyr rune,
Celtic Cross,
Kolovrat swastika, the neo-Nazi slogan
Fourteen Words and Archangel Michael's Cross of the Romanian fascist group
Iron Guard by the
Christchurch mosque shooter Brenton Harrison Tarrant.
[12]
www.npr.org
