An insignia can hold immediate, visceral power. Just think how the swastika instantly evokes bigotry and hatred in general, and more specifically, anti-Semitism and the Nazi regime. Unfortunately, it is still in use today by neo-Nazis. In 1920, Hitler appropriated the ancient symbol, associated for millennia with the eastern religions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, for his newly-formed Nazi Party. The emblem has been banned in Germany since 1945, and can only be used there for educational purposes. The swastika has a fascinating history, which you can dive into here.
Other symbols have
long been associated with Germany, and with many of its precursor states, including the Holy Roman Empire and Prussia.
Teutonic militaries awarded soldiers the Iron Cross (Eisernes Kreuz) for battle-won honors,
and it is used today as the emblem of the Bundeswehr. The coat of arms of
Germany, the Bundesadler (Federal
Eagle), is used on governmental and military standards. According to
Wikipedia (which we know is never wrong) it is the oldest national symbol
used in Europe.
Unless you’re a history buff or Germanophile like me, you may be perplexed by images of the Bundeswehr marching with flaming torches. Tiki torches were infamously used by anti-Semites and white nationalists in the “Unite the Right” rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in 2017. These improvised torches were reminiscent not only of the Ku Klux Klan, but of Nazis as well. I can well understand the primal reaction to a torch-carrying mob, and the fear it rouses. However, today’s Großer Zapfenstreich ceremony is the highest tribute bestowed on individuals such as the German chancellor, president and defense minister. For those not prejudiced by the misuse/abuse of the spectacle by ignorant Nazi-wannabes, it is a thrilling parade, especially when accompanied by such stirring melodies as Beethoven’s “Yorckscher Marsch,” the "Großen Zapfenstreich Marsch,” or the national anthem of Germany, “Das Deutschlandlied.” (I wrote a post on this blog many years ago discussing the history of the German national anthem. You can also visit my other blog, “Musings and discoveries,” to read my recent post on national anthems, which has links to various anthems, including Germany’s.)
The history of World
War II in Germany is a painful one, especially for the victims of Nazism and
their descendants. It was arguably the darkest period of the twentieth century,
with civilian and military deaths numbering in the tens of millions. I
sometimes pause before I relay the title of this blog, “World War II…with a
German accent,” knowing that those two concepts put together immediately arouses
negative connotations for many people. In fact, when I started this blog in
2009 to promote my romance novel, IN THE
ARMS OF THE ENEMY, I included the disclaimer, “The purpose of this blog is
historical, not political,” right at the top of the page.
Symbols can be potent,
and it may be difficult for many to overcome their initial reactions to crosses,
eagles and flames, and to see the meaning behind the emblems. But I advocate
that we try, learning as much as we can of the histories and cultures of other nations.
I suggest this for our personal edification, and for international goodwill, as well.
