The Wolfsangel (German for "wolf's hook") is a symbol which when used in the context of Nazi or Neo-Nazi organisations is described as looking like an Eihwaz rune but modified by an additional central stroke. The upright variant is also known as "thunderbolt" (Donnerkeil) and the horizontal variant as "werewolf".

Historically, the symbol originated as a mason's mark and was once used as a heraldic symbol in coats of arms. It was adopted by several military units of Nazi Germany. Because of that fact, along with continuing use by Neo-Nazi organisations, the symbol is now often associated with Nazism.

As a Nazi symbol

In Nazi Germany, the Wolfsangel was used by:

• the 2nd SS tank division "Das Reich"
• the 4th SS-Polizei mechanized infantry division
• the 34th SS Dutch grenadier division "Landstorm Nederland"
• the Hitlerjugend
• the NS-Volkswohlfahrt

After World War II, 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 Jugend"
• the Swedish Vitt Ariskt Motstånd, which refers to the symbol as werewolf

Public exhibition of the symbol is illegal in Germany if a connection with one of these groups is apparent.

In heraldry and mason's marks

The symbol was in the coat of arms of Bornheim (now part of Frankfurt). In this function, it may be traced back to 1621, on a seal labelled "S(IGILLM) SCHULTHEIS V(ND) SCHEFFEN Z(V) BORNHEIM". The sign originated as a mason's mark and may be seen out in 13th to 16th century stonework.

The name Wolfsangel first 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"

Alleged runic origins

The symbol and the name Wolfsangel are claimed by Neopagan groups to be of runic origin, and although this claim is accepted by the Anti-Defamation League [1] and others, evidence of this purported origin is lacking. The earliest documented claim that the shape is runic in origin can be traced to Guido von List's alleged mental vision of 18 "Armanen runes" in 1902. The figure he calls the "Gibor" rune has the same shape, and he attributes to it a g sound (like the Anglo-Saxon Futhorc Gyfu). According to List, it's the 18th and final member of the alleged original rune row (the Younger Futhark has 16 runes).

The Wolfsangel sometimes appears listed as the 34th rune in esoteric contexts (e.g. [2]), but the Futhorc actually only has 33 runes. The symbol now called the Wolfsangel is not historically part of any runic alphabet.

See also

• Fascist symbolism
• Guido von List
• SS unit insignia

External links

• list of symbols outlawed in Germany
• Neonazi (Sweden) flags
• "werewolf" on symbols.com
• "thunderbolt" on symbols.com