Odal (SS rune)

The Nazi-use of runic symbology was largely derived from the Armanen runes, a collection of occult pseudo-runes, borrowed from the Younger Futhark, by Austrian mysticist and Germanic revivalist Guido von List, in the 1920s. Due to Younger Futhark being Norse (Nordic) in root, nationalistic German occultists later turned to the collective Germanic Elder Futhark to derive from, of which Othala (ᛟ) is part of. == Usage ==

Usage by Nazi Germany , Poland (pre-1945 Germany) The Odal was adopted by the Schutzstaffel (SS), along with other similar symbols, for esoteric symbology of Aryan superiority. Odal then became the badge of the SS Race and Settlement Main Office, which was responsible for maintaining the racial purity of the SS. It was also the emblem of Volksdeutsche (ethnic Germans) of the 7th SS Volunteer Mountain Division Prinz Eugen operating during World War II in the Nazi Germany-sponsored Independent State of Croatia. The Volunteer Legion Netherlands used a variant with arrows instead of wings. Modern usage '' Neo-Nazis and similar far-right collectives have continued the use of the symbol into modern times, sometimes with wings and sometimes without; its symbology varies. Users include: the Neo-Nazi in Germany, and in South Africa by the Anglo-Afrikaner Bond, the , the , the Italian neo-fascist group National Vanguard, the Afrikaner Student Federation and the far-right White Liberation Movement before it was disbanded. (2016–2019) In November 2016, the leadership of the National Socialist Movement announced their intention to replace the Nazi-pattern swastika with the othala rune on their uniforms and party regalia in an attempt to enter mainstream politics. The rune was further used, along with other traditional symbols from European cultures such as a Tiwaz rune and a Celtic cross, and slogans associated with Nazism and far-right extremism by the Christchurch mosque shooter Brenton Harrison Tarrant. Heathen Front was a Neo-Nazi group, active during the 1990s to 2005 that espoused a racist form of Heathenry and described its ideas as odalism in reference to the alternative name for othala. In 2019, the group reverted back to using the swastika as their logo. Modern symbology While some use the symbol under its original meaning of "kinship, family and blood ties", others have modified it to suit their agenda. White supremacists who use the rune often claim it symbolises the heritage or land of "white" or "Aryan" people which should be free from foreigners. It has been noted however that this usage is a new invention by the groups and is not attested in any source from before the modern period, being labelled by runologist Michael Barnes as "spring[ing] entirely from the imagination". == Alleged use ==

In some cases, individuals and organisations have been accused of using the rune as a far-right symbol, such as in April 2014 when the British Topman clothing company apologised after using it in one of their clothing lines. Furthermore, at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) held in Orlando, Florida, on February 25–28, 2021, the floor layout of the main stage resembled the winged form of the othala rune, leading to speculation on social media as to why that design was chosen. CPAC chairman Matt Schlapp said comparisons were "outrageous and slanderous". Design firm Design Foundry later took responsibility for the design of the stage, saying that it "intended to provide the best use of space, given the constraints of the ballroom and social distancing requirements." Ian Walters, director of communications for the ACU and CPAC, said they would stop using Design Foundry. The neo-folk group Death in June used othala on the cover of their 7 Come Before Christ And Murder Love'' alongside their "Totenkopf 6" logo. The group does not openly support far-right ideologies however scholars have noted the group's fascination with Nazism and extensive usage of Nazi, and more widely fascist, imagery. == References ==