Tyr Rune

Disclaimer: Nazi Germany glorified an idealized "Aryan/Norse" heritage, consequently extremists have appropriated many symbols from pre-Christian Europe for their own uses. They give such symbols a racist significance, even though the symbols did not originally have such meaning and are often used by nonracists today, especially practitioners of modern pagan religions

Symbol Type

Neo-Nazi Symbol

General Racist Symbol

Symbol Description

Upward pointing arrow

Also Known As

Teiwaz, tiewaz

Traditional Use/Origins

The Tyr rune, named after the Norse god Tyr, was the name of an ancient runic symbol. Tyr was a god of warfare and battle.

Hate Group/Extremist Organization

Neo-Nazis, Racist Skinheads

Extremist Meaning or Representation

See below

Background/History

The Tyr rune was appropriated by the Nazi Party in Germany and used as a symbol for the leadership schools (Reichsfhrerschulen) of Hitler's brownshirts, the Sturmabteilung. Since then, neo-Nazis and white supremacists have continued to use the Tyr rune. Along with the Life rune, it is one of the more common runic symbols appropriated by white supremacists. Nonracist pagans may also use this symbol, so it should be judged only in context.