What would you feel if you saw a guy with a runic tattoo? Many would probably feel uneasiness, including myself. The question is why. I perfectly know that ancient Germanic peoples used the Elder Futhark not because they were white supremacists. I realize that vikings used the Younger Futhark not because they were racist skinheads. So where comes the uneasiness from? Let’s take another example. If you use the Bluetooth technology on your mobile phone, you should remember their logo. Do you? It is actually a bindrune, that is two blended runes: Hagall (hail) and Bjarkan (birch). These two represent the initials of the 10th century viking king Harald Blåtand (Bluetooth), who ordered the Jelling stones to be erected. Bluetooth team are certainly not a hate group, and their rune logo does not scare people away from buying their technology. However, tattooed on someone’s shoulder, it may make others feel uneasy. The question remains: why? My answer is: because western civilization has been too long obsessed by Classical Antiquity as its treasured source. All we usually know about Norse or ancient Germanic symbols is that nazis used them and neo-nazis still use them. That’s not a lot. The other answer is: many people with Christian background still feel that heathen convictions may be dangerous, especially if associated with Norse or Scandinavian culture (or with anything ancient Germanic). Even atheists have been educated in schools long dominated by Christians who admired Classical Antiquity. “Virgil and Homer, not Edda and Beowulf” has been their slogan for many centuries.
True, Norse heathen symbols were used by Nazis. For instance, the Hagall rune used in the Bluetooth logo is present on the SS Totenkopfring. In his description of the ring, Himmler wrote: “The swastika and the Hagall-Rune represent our unshakable faith in the ultimate victory of our philosophy.” This rune was also used during the SS wedding ceremonies. Does it mean that the Hagall rune is in itself a hate symbol? No way.
The origins and the cultural meaning of Norse symbols or Germanic heathen symbols, which may point to racism in certain contexts, are treated in a series of articles on this web site:
Photo © Daniel Meyer. Used by permission.
I wasn’t aware there is such a hatred of Norse symbols, at least not where I live, the Netherlands which, ironically, is right next to Germany. Of course, the hakenkreuz is known here but almost everyone is aware that it is in fact a symbol of many cultures. I don’t think people would look at me oddly if I had a Norse symbol simply because they no longer know that Nazi-Germany used them as well or simply because Christianity isn’t quite so radical or heavily present here. I am thinking of getting my name in Runic symbols so I hope I don’t run into some unexpected narrowmindedness.
The fact that The Netherlands is mostly made up of Muslims, Indians and Africans might explain why no one is “narrowminded” about the symbols.
I think that the way hitler ruined the norse symbols was horrible. People think that we are racist pricks when actually we just want to support something we believe in. People are so narrow minded sometimes.
I think we are to open new horizons to those who react negatively to Norse symbols or runes.
First off I am a proud member of the V.A.R.P’S (vikings against racism prejudice) and nazi’s used more of the roman armies traditions and symbolisms than pagan. the giant hand carried banners with large gold or metallic eagals was the exact thing used in rome. the zig hiel right arm extended straight with thumb under palm fingers together outstreched was also a roman salute. though hitler incorporated the swastika but flipped it as a mirror image purposely changing the meaning from the other religious meanings of sun/light, love, peace, happiness and so forth to the exact opposite which befits the nazi army. though it still retained one of its norse meanings of strength. i do not find it offensive for other cultures/peoples to use norse symbols though i would agree it is better to be proud of who you really are but if u believe thats who you are then by all mean you ARE! modern mongoloids or “neo-nazi’s” honestly practice none of what the germans did or the actually nazi religion did and yes hitler had a religion though as most norse borrowed things is reffered to as aryan. some norse people were called aryan pre-nazi germany as a race same as norse or germanic though in hitlers eyes he saw that blonde hair and blue eyes are recessive traits which they are and will one day cease to exist. unknow why he though this to be a mark supiriority i do not know. he was infatuated by the norse people for their magical beliefes, immortality and pure warrior mentallity when comes to war. their lack of fear and beserker rage has also enthralled me. unfortunetly nazi germany along with many horrible acts of mindless violence by self proclaimed neo nazi’s and “aryan” gangs has brought a off putting and terrifying name to all us norsemen. Most definitely belated is the mass explanation of the difference between white supremists and norse symbols/religion. But we all must remember that the majority of the world especially america still remains ignorant to most other peoples beliefs and religions let alone the origins of symbols and proclivities. so when the modern man see a swatika or norse gods tattooed they think of neo-nazis or hate. you cant blame them for atleast in america the majority of who you see with these tattoo’s are ignorant racists from prison or a drug addicted family. all you CAN do is be proud of who you are wear your norse beliefs openly and educate those who do not understand.
Hello Wolfgar. I totally agree with you that education of those who do not understand is a key thing.
If the only arguement that anyone can discuss is race the their problems are far deeper than relegion I for one have been ASATRU for only four years and oathed to ALL-FATHER,ODIN for two and from my own experience its not ones race that defines them but the way one lives what we do in this life echos in the next seems to me one would use their time for the better of all people insteed of tring to pick who’s better or more right than the other besides in the end noone can deny the norns our fates are already sealed just embrace who we are , May the gods whatch over you and yours with a keen eye and steady sword hail ODIN
Hello Clayton. Yes, the way one lives is far more important than one’s race.
I thank you very much for this article.
As a Dane and Asatruar living in the United States, California to be exact.
I have been refused to be tattooed by new employees of a tattoo shop I had previously been a patron of, because of what I was asking for was “political” and what I had was “political”.
The feeling of being called, “ignorant, intolerant, and hateful” without ever being asked questions or even spoken to for that matter just seems silly.
Information like yours would be greatly appreciated in a printed, heavily distributed medium.
Thank you.
Nick
Hello Nicholas. Sounds like a great idea. I’ll try to find a way to get it printed.
You people want to talk about RACE eh???…How’s this for RACE???…I have been praticing ASATRU for over FOURTEEN YEARS NOW,….And guess what….I,m AFRICAN-AMERICAN!!! (Actually I’m of mixed race….I’m BLACK/NATIVE AMERICAN (Chactaw tribe to be exact…), And EUROPEAN/BLACK on my fathers side (My grandfather was an immigrant from centeral SCOTLAND!!!) HE’S BLACK?!?….AND PRACTICES ASATRU,OOOHHH NOOOOO!!! (LAUGH!!!)… To add insult to injury, I’m an EX-CHRISTIAN!!!…. When I excepted (SELF-INITIATION RITUAL THAT I PERFORMED, NO LESS…) ASATRU, there were no pagan festivals where I live (Anchorage, Alaska…) No one introduced me to ASATRU (OR PAGANISIM FOR THAT MATTER…) Nor were there any practicing ASATRUAR around…. ODIN “SPOKE”(ORDERED-MILITARY STYLE….) to me (Sort of like, an EMPATHIC THOUGHT that I heard….) The ALL-FATHER, he, um,…. Well, he DRAFTED ME!!! My initials,” CJG”, actually form a rune from the ARMANEN FUTHARK If you use the nine-stave pattern used in the book “RUNE POWER”, by NIGEL PENNICK (…The RUNE of GIBOR no less…), My name actually gives of runic energy… My other pagan friends laughed at me, and said I never stood a chance!!!…DEATHSKULL
Hello Deathskull. To be sure, a person of any descent has the freedom to choose her religion and convictions. Thank you for sharing your experience.
The Nazis and their racist ideology ruined many symbols for the rest of us. The swastika is an ancient symbol found in many cultures and religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and some American Indian cultures but because Hitler chose it for the Nazi flag, people can’t see it without thinking of the Third Reich and the Holocaust. I remember the controversy when the swastika appeared in the manga series Blade of the Immortal. Dark Horse comics had to add a disclaimer to the American edition of the comic to clarify the swastika’s benevolent meaning. Runes date back to the 1st Century but thanks to Himmler people don’t see them with out thinking of the SS. It’s sad that some racists continue to pervert these symbols to promote their sick ideologies.
Yes it is sad, for two reasons. First reason is everything you explained of course. The other is a bit difficult, well most vikings who were pagan were very much like Himmler. There really is no getting around this. Whether the vikings from long ago were racists or not is debatable. Here is my take. All people from all ages were similar in belief and habbit, 100o years ago most triumphant cultures were barbarians. They believed they were top of the chain and everyone else was weak. Now after 1000 a.d. christanity was introduced and accepted as the religion and things changed. Live by the sword die by the sword, that was the viking way. That was the nazi way, it was himmlers way until the end to where he did prove to be a coward and tried to sneak away but was caught. Hitler too was a coward, he wasnt a pagan but he did make a comment to Erwin Rommel : “Your god is for the weak, Mine is for the strong” Hitler thought he was god he didnt believe in anything.
wasn’t the swastika a symbol of peace but the one hitler used was one of war and didn’t they go in different directions
Exactly.
In no way do i find norse, pagan, wiccan or any other religon symbols offensive, i myelf have a pentagram on my right wrist plus a triquatra on my left wrist. i really want to get some norse symbolsm, i think any body should be able to get what ever they want. these symbols shouldnt been seen as symbols of hate. i live in Australia and i want to get involved with the viking religion but i dont know how. i admire the vikings and their runes, symbols and such.
Same here Jason. I am also deeply interested in all things Norse and Viking.
I am pleased with said site. May oden look opon it with great plesure
Thank you Jor’mek.
first of all what Hitler did to the swastika and other symbols is horrible.. he perverted old significant symbols into his own twisted ideology, and for us in this modern age to associate the symbols automatically to Hitler and his nazi regime, is understandable, but still rediculous.. I myself have alot of old viking symbols on my right arm, even the dreaded and oh so controversial swastika, however, I for one see the symbols for what they are, not for what some clinically insane people have used them for. since I got my inked up sleeve I’ve noticed how narrow-minded most people are about these symbols.
I for one see the beauty and history in these symbols, and I think that everyone should be able to see it that way.
oh and by the way, to Jerry Shabazz, you can tattoo what ever you want on yourself, it’s your body and therefore, your descision. if anyone finds it offensive it’s their problem, but honestly however, i dont see why anyone would find it offensive.
Hello Jógvan. Very well said: there is beauty and history in these symbols. Yes, everyone should be able to see them that way.