The far right have co-opted ancient Norse mythology to create a grab bag of symbols that allow them to continue to signal their white supremacy. At far-right rallies in several Australian cities, neo-Nazis were photographed brandishing megaphones with unusual markings on them – ancient runic symbols, some with associations to white supremacism, while others meant “birch trees”. Far-right extremists are continuing a Nazi tradition of co-opting ancient Norse mythology to create a grab bag of symbols, allowing them to continue to signal their white supremacy now they can no longer legally display the Hakenkreuz (swastika) or the Nazi salute. A surge in rightwing extremism in Australia sparked the creation of state and federal laws banning Nazi and hate symbols, predominantly the German swastika, Nazi salute and the double-sig rune that was the logo of the Schutzstaffel (SS). The original Nazis co-opted the ancient religious symbol of the swastika, which is distinct from the one used by Buddhist, Hindu and Jain communities, for whom it remains a symbol of peace and love. But they also appropriated runes from the Nordic/Germanic/Viking people, out of admiration for their perceived Aryan heritage and warrior tales. Associate prof Keiran Hardy, a counter-terrorism expert at Griffith University’s criminology institute, says neo-Nazis are avoiding symbols that will lead to criminal penalties, and appropriating symbols in the same way the Nazis did. “They’re drawing on Nordic runes, symbolising the blue-eyed, blond-haired Aryan ideal of the Nordic, the Scandinavian heritage,” he says.
via guardian: From rune megaphones to the number 88: Australia’s neo-Nazis have a new look after swastikas banned