From medieval hunting tool to a controversial symbol of resistance and hate
In short: The Wolfsangel began as a simple Z-shaped metal hook used to impale wolves. Over centuries, this utilitarian tool evolved into a complex heraldic charge, a symbol of peasant liberty, and eventually, a highly controversial emblem used by both Nazi divisions and modern extremist groups.
Originally, the Wolfsangel was a practical hunting device. The Z-shaped hook, or 'crampon', was concealed inside a piece of meat and hung by a chain from a crescent-shaped bar called a Wolfsanker. Hunters would use blood trails or wattle fencing to guide wolves toward the trap, where the animal would impale itself while attempting to eat.
The symbol's meaning shifted significantly through history. In the 15th century, it was adopted by German peasants as an emblem of independence during revolts against oppressive princes. It reappeared during the 17th-century Thirty Years' War, used by German militias known as 'Wehrwolf' who waged guerrilla warfare against foreign forces. This connection to resistance was later popularized by Hermann Löns's 1910 novel, *Der Wehrwolf*.
However, the symbol's legacy is deeply complicated by its adoption by the Nazi Party. Various Wehrmacht and SS units, including the Waffen-SS Division Das Reich and the 34th SS Volunteer Grenadier Division Landstorm Nederland, utilized the emblem. Today, the Anti-Defamation League and other organizations classify the Z-shaped symbol as a hate symbol and a neo-Nazi icon.
The symbol's visual ambiguity contributes to its modern complexity. While some groups, such as the Azov Regiment in Ukraine, claim their version is a composite of letters representing a national slogan, others use it as a traditional talisman. In Germany, the use of the symbol is illegal if it is connected to neo-Nazi groups, though it remains present in some municipal coats of arms and football club crests like SC Verl.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Wolfsangel
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-wolfsangel.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Languages · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
