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11. THE SS SYMBOL (Sigel / Siegel)

What we've been able to find out is that the world-recognised symbol of the Nazi SS (Schutzstaffel) was first worn by the Leibstandarte in 1933. It originated from the "Sig" or "Sigel" or even "Siegel" rune and was part of Hitler's widespread use of occult symbols. Runes seem to have exerted a compelling influence on the Nazis and their use can be traced to the occult and völkisch author Guido von List, an important figure in Germanic mysticism. The SS themselves were Heinrich Himmler’s secret agents and ranged from the Gestapo to soldiers of the Waffen SS. The original meaning of the Sigel Symbol represented Victory, Power, Success and Health. Some sources claim it is an ancient sky symbol and represents the power of lightning. Believed by the Nazi's to be of Nordic origin, the symbol was "corrupted" by the movement as was the Swastika and through their actions changed to mean hatred, racial intolerance and death. A more realistic view is that the Nazi designers were simply seeking Northern Aryan symbols and liked the shaped of the two S-shapes stylised as lightning bolts. This would tie in with there belief in "Blitzkrieg" Lightning Force / war / power ".

12. THE PENTAGRAM SYMBOL / STAR SHAPE

The pentagram is an extremely ancient and natural symbol that can be seen in the stars, flowers, crystals, starfish and the extremities of the human body. It is also the shape created when two arrowheads are laid on top of the other. It's an easy symbol to draw and so it is not surprising that it has been used to represent a wide range of values, beliefs and nations. One source claims that the pentagram was used as the symbol of imperial power in the city of Ur some 5500 years ago. It has certainly been used by alchemists, pagans, freemasons and, more recently, the modern Wicca movement since then. In 1854, Eliphas Levi published "Dogmas and Rituals of High Magic" and in this work used the upright pentagram to depict man and the inverted pentagram to reveal the goat's-head of Baphomet - a demon or idol of uncertain origins allegedly once worshipped by the Knights Templar. It's worth noting that the original descriptions of Baphomet not once described a goat's head. The symbol of the inverted pentagram was adopted by the various occult churches and it is these two main incidents that have given this symbol its negative modern connotations.

13. THE RED STAR SYMBOL

The five-pointed red star which is based on the outer shape of the Pentagram has become the globally recognised symbol of Communism.  Its origin as a Communist sign can be traced to Karl Marx (1818 – 1883) and Friedrich Engels (1820 – 1895) who were drawn to this symbol for various reasons but allegedly believed in its mystical representation of the human body and its inherent strength.  The red colour is supposed to represent the “blood” of those who had struggled for their rights and freedom.  Its transformation from a little known ideological sign to a mass political symbol originated during the Russian Civil War (c1917 – c1923). One story suggests that the local Moscow garrison were given tin stars to wear on their hats. They later painted these tins stars Red to symbolise their joining of the Red Army. Following its adoption as an emblem of the Soviet Union, the red star became a symbol for communism in a larger sense. The Russian military continues to use the Red Star to this day even though the ideal of Russian Communism no longer dominates the nation. Once feared throughout the Capitalist West, it is apparently still illegal to display the symbol in Hungary.

14. THE MASONIC SYMBOL

The "compass and square" of the Freemasons is one of the most recognised designs associated with this secretive society - although it is far less secret today than it once was. The symbol is depicted with or without the letter G. It represents the tools used by the original stone working builders and architects. There is no doubt that this society has a passion for symbols and secret designs. And … as the original "Great" architects and builders it seems obvious that they should. Just like metal forging in Japan, the manufacture of gunpowder in China, glass working in Venice - architecture and the secrets of building were once knowledge worth the “fortunes of kings” and definitely worth keeping secret from others. In the case of the original Masons, they were the master builders of their time and their knowledge of arches, keystones and Cement (lime-mortar and vesuvian-mortar) was considered almost magical to be shared only with other masons. So important was their knowledge that there are records from 1375 that as Masons they were free to travel from project-to-project at a time when most people were severely restricted in their rights to move. It is this "freedom" that defined them as Free(stone)masons.

15. THE (LUCKY) HORSESHOE SYMBOL

Exactly why horseshoes are believed to be lucky is something of a mystery. This is not because people don't have theoreis but because they have too many. Some believe that it is representative of the Greek letter Omega while others suggest that it was derived from the shape of the laurel wreath worn by Roman Emporers. An even wilder claim is that is a representation of the "Gloria" the hood of the clitoris. A more practical suggestion is that in ancient times Iron was quite valuable and so to find a horseshoe meant a few extra coins in your pocket. Still, if this was the case then why did people start nailing it to their doors to ward of evil spirits and bring good luck to the house? Terry Paratchet, in his book "Lords and Ladies", makes reference to an earlier belief that all iron was reviled by evil creatures and the most likely piece of old iron that a poor person might find that could be used was a lost horseshoe - it even had premade holes so convenient for driving nails through. Whatever its origin, there is no doubt that over the centuries the shape has become associated with good luck . Perhaps people just naturally like the shape?

16. THE FEMALE SYMBOL

The origin of the design has many sources. The symbol to the left is the representation of the "Female" and is also the planetary symbol for Venus named after the Roman Goddess of Love. Many authors claim that it is derived from the hand mirror held by the Goddess Venus but this is increasingly disputed. A further explanation is that it a stylized version of the Greek symbol "Phosphoros". It is more likely that this is a far more ancient sexual symbol that has been sanitised in recent centuries. To understand this just visit the section of this website that describes the Secret Heart. One belief is that the circle represents the womb and the cross below represents the vagina. Inverted, the cross symbolises the "Gloria" and the circle represents the vaginal canal. It certainly looks more like a stylisation of the female genitalia than a spurious hand mirror. Just remember that many of the facts you were taught in school were "revised' by the puritan (British) educationalists of the 18th to 20th centuries. With absolute conviction we can assure you that there are literally thousands of ancient artworks that have never been displayed because of their intense sexual nature.

17. THE MALE SYMBOL

It has been claimed that the "Male" symbol (the planetary symbol for Mars) represents a shield and a spear - the warrior. This explanation appears to have originated in the 19th century at the height of modern revisionist sanitisation of ancient beliefs. There is a claim that the original male symbol was the inverted female symbol. Older manuscripts depict the female symbol as having a "V-shape" instead of the cross - which would tie it in with the Hungarian Heart and make a lot more sense. As a simple representation it is remarkably phallic and it is easy to see the erect penis supported by the swollen testicle(s) viewed from the side. Before you "shiver" and run back to the spear and shield explanation - ask yourself: "where is the lower shaft of the spear?" Surprise, surprise - it’s not there, and to the best of our knowledge, never has been! There is a fascinating symbol that is depicted in the now very rare 18th century "Harmsworth History of the World" (we have an original) that actually shows two identical male and female symbols interlocked creating the ancient Hebrew symbol of the Vessel and the Blade or the Star of David (Da Vinci Code). When we have time to expand on this symbol we will show it to you.

18. THE HAMMER AND SICKLE SYMBOL

This is the ultimate symbol of Communism. This symbol is distinctly modern in its origin although its components are ancient. The hammer is the symbol of the Norse God Thor and represents enormous power. The sickle is the symbol of the Reaper representing the transition from life to death. Using literal symbolism, the items combined could read either "Through hard work - life after death" or "the power over life and death". The truth is that the two independent symbols were apparently chosen for their humble origins as implements with which the Russian proletariat could empathise. The original symbol (flag) featured a plough instead of the sickle and was meant to depict the unity of industry and agriculture to build a better world. Academics still argue about when it was first used but it was widely accepted by 1923 and, as such, that is the official date attributed to its origin. To the communist East it once represented Liberation, Freedom and Hope but over time became to mean Suppression, Exhaustion and Corruption. To the West it once meant Fear, Expansionism and Nuclear war. With the fall of the Soviet Union it is slowly sliding into Pop Culture.

19. THE FOUR LEAF CLOVER SYMBOL

It's interesting to observe that most popular positive symbols are either about sex or luck. Using literalism, this could mean that most humans want to be: "lucky and have lots of sex." Hey - that's not a bad philosophy - it beats "work hard, suffer and die!" Superstitious belief claims that a four-leaf clover is a lucky talisman - especially if it is found accidentally. We have to say that after enormous debate we can't imagine how somebody could accidentally find a four leaf clover unless they were a flora-crazed biologist on a mission. According to myth, a woman that hangs a four-leaf clover on her door will marry the next man that she meets. So ... sex again and, for the lady's sake, let's hope he's not a troll. In Irish folklore the leaves of the clover represent the Christian Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit (ghost). The fourth leaf, often smaller, represents God's Grace - or good fortune. We said in our introduction that these were non-religious symbols and so they are. The majority of people simply believe that a four Leaf Clover will bring them good luck - and perhaps through the power of positive belief - it does. Incidentally, the shape of a sing clover leaf is a heart...

20. THE BLACK POWER SYMBOL

The "Black Power" symbol is a raised fist that has tremendous communist symbolism and is directly associated with the gesture "Workers of the World Unite". It was populised during the 1960's and 1970's by the Civil Rights Movement in America that disagreed with Luther-King;s policy of Integration. They believed that regardless of where they were based - they had the right to their own social policy, beliefs and power structures. Many black activists deeply disagreed with this position. It was common to see its use by protesters against Apartheid in South Africa and was associated with with the Toyi-Toyi or protest dance. Given that many of the revolutions in Africa were Soviet sponsored, the use of this gesture and symbol is not surprising. Political analysts admit that this approach may have actually held back the racial integration of African-Americans as it inspired fear amongst the non-African segments of society. Observers cite the fact that Italians, Irish, British, Koreans, Mexicans and Vietnames have all adopted the USA as their home and integrated into its mainstream culture but the African-American still struggles to find their place in the most democratic of societies. A symbol may be responsible.

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“All art is at once surface and symbol.
Those who go beneath the surface do so at their peril.”
Oscar Wilde (1854-1900)