Question about a symbol.

[Goober]

I was recently given a shirt that is red, and has the German Iron Crosses on the sleeves and the bottom of the shirt. I was wondering, is the Iron Cross associated with the Nazis? To my way of thinking, it is not, I associate with Germany, and the history of Germany, but what do you guys think? My Grandpa thought it looked a bit too Nazi, but I didn't think so.

Is it appropriate to wear? I just want to get some opinions, I don't want to accidently offend anybody if I wear it to school or something.

 

[aaminion00]

It's not, but the world is a dumbass, so people will probably get pissed off anyways.

But maybe it's different in Canada.

 

[stormbind]

Iron Cross should be alright... if you want to be a Kraut!

It's not Nazi, and I think the Scots used a very similar symbol which may be interesting to check

 

[Knight-Dragon]

Iron Cross came way before the Nazis - Hitler himself gotten one in WW1. It's a Prussian medal first, prior to being German I think... not sure...

 

[Goober]

Hmm, good to know, thanks guys. Its a very cool shirt, feels like silk, very snazzy, I just don't want to unintentionally offend people (yes, I do intentionally offend people, that is a lot of fun).

 

[amadeus]

Clothing companies like "Independent" and such appear to employ the iron crosses as symbols on their lines...I have no idea why, but I've never heard of any discontent about the symbol itself, though (begin editorial) I would personally never purchase such garbage (end editorial.)

 

[BloodyPepperoni]

It should not be associated with Nazism. The Luftwaffe of today still has iron crosses painted on their wings, IIRC-Any German to confirm that, please?-

 

[stormbind]

I am not German, but I can confirm that the Luftwaffe marking is the Iron Cross.

 

[Godwynn]

Clothing companies like "Independent" and such appear to employ the iron crosses as symbols on their lines

I always thought the 'Independent' cross looked like the Ku Klux Klan cross.

 

[Knowze Gungk]

The Iron cross is no more a Nazi icon than the anciant religious symbol of good, known as the swastika.

People's idiocy genes cause them to vilify objects & animals, when they've run out of people to blame. It sometimes seems that humans thrive on hate more than anything else.

 

[Immortal]

also I believe either West Coast Choppers or Orange County Choppers uses the same iron cross symbol. The shirts are EVERYWHERE in calgary these days so the symbol seems to be alright.

 

[yoshi74]

If you want a opinion from a german: The iron cross is not originally a nazi symbol. But here, where the public use and wearing of the hakenkreuz (the original nazi symbol) is forbidden, it is often used by neonazis as a symbol. They also use often the old german WWI war flag (white, red, black - old german colors) as their symbol. Don't know how it is seen in your country, but in germany i would not wear clothing with the iron cross unless i wanted to be counted as a neo nazi.

 

[steviejay]

It's not Nazi, and I think the Scots used a very similar symbol which may be interesting to check

erm..... trying to think of what you mean, not sure. Can you elabourate

 

[test_specimen]

If you want a opinion from a german: The iron cross is not originally a nazi symbol. But here, where the public use and wearing of the hakenkreuz (the original nazi symbol) is forbidden, it is often used by neonazis as a symbol. They also use often the old german WWI war flag (white, red, black - old german colors) as their symbol. Don't know how it is seen in your country, but in germany i would not wear clothing with the iron cross unless i wanted to be counted as a neo nazi.

I wouldn't wear the Iron Cross t-shirt either. But probably it's less of a problem in Canada. I looked at the "independant clothing"-website, and regarding their symbols they are trying to sell to a Nazi-affiliated target group with "Fallen", "Independant" and "Mystery" (where the "S" is written like in "SS"). And yes, some of the symbols look like they were borrowed from the Klan.

edit: sure, people see too much in symbols and should not be offended by everything, but all clothing puts you into a certain group and you don't want to be seen as a Nazi by others. That's also why "normal" people (in Germany/Austria) don't buy Fred Perry for example.

 

[Archer 007]

If you want a opinion from a german: The iron cross is not originally a nazi symbol. But here, where the public use and wearing of the hakenkreuz (the original nazi symbol) is forbidden, it is often used by neonazis as a symbol. They also use often the old german WWI war flag (white, red, black - old german colors) as their symbol. Don't know how it is seen in your country, but in germany i would not wear clothing with the iron cross unless i wanted to be counted as a neo nazi.

Since he is in Canada, I think it would be ok.

 

[sourboy]

Ironicly funny how some crosses represent all that's good, and others - all that's bad.

Wear what you choose - it's not like it's a giant middle finger or anything.

 

[SanPellegrino]

Iron Cross came way before the Nazis - Hitler himself gotten one in WW1. It's a Prussian medal first, prior to being German I think... not sure...

this is correct. It is still the symbol of the Luftwaffe.

 

[Hitro]

It is in fact still the symbol of the whole armed forces.

 

[SanPellegrino]

It is in fact still the symbol of the whole armed forces.

oops, you are right, I thought it was the turtle with the beercan in its hand

 

[Goober]

Hmm, so it is a symbol of Nazism, kinda, in some parts of Europe, but I seriously doubt it here . . . thanks for the input, good to know.