Following the recent electoral success of the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt, concerns have been raised about the party’s far-right policies, including calls from party leaders for "remigration" policies—essentially urging the departure of immigrants. The AfD has drawn comparisons to the far-right in the United States and has echoed some of the more extreme rhetoric seen during the Trump administration. Unlike in the U.S., where symbols like the SS runes have appeared at political events, Germany has strict laws prohibiting the public display of symbols associated with Nazi ideology. These laws are so stringent that even the rock band KISS had to alter their logo for use in Germany, as it bore a resemblance to the SS's runic symbols. The band’s members, Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley, who both have family histories of Holocaust persecution, denied any connection to Nazi iconography.
To bypass these legal restrictions, individuals aligned with extreme right politics have turned to more subtle and varied means of expression. This includes the use of Norse and Viking motifs, which are not explicitly banned. These symbols can have multiple meanings, from expressing interest in Norse culture or paganism to academic research. However, the far-right often exploits this ambiguity to conceal their affiliations. While some groups still use traditional neo-Nazi imagery, such as jackboots, it is now more common for them to blend in using fashion and online communication that appear mainstream.
Several brands have become associated with far-right groups, either intentionally or through co-option. For example, Thor Steinar, a clothing brand with a rune-based logo, has been linked to neo-Nazi ideology and is banned in German political and sporting venues. Another brand, Erik and Sons, uses similar imagery and a color scheme reminiscent of the Nazi era. While both companies deny any far-right connections, they are recognized by German intelligence as part of the extremist scene. Other brands, like New Balance and Lonsdale, have been used by far-right groups for their logos, which can be interpreted as "Nazi" or "NSDAP" (the full name of the Nazi party). These companies have consistently denied any ties to extremism and have taken steps to distance themselves from such associations.
As far-right groups adapt to online spaces, they have also begun using emojis and other digital symbols to communicate in coded ways. Emojis like the mushroom or pine tree, when combined with runes or other symbols, can signal far-right or ecofascist affiliations in certain circles. However, these symbols are also used in broader contexts, such as fantasy, nature, or lifestyle trends, which makes them harder to identify as extremist. This blending of symbols and styles allows far-right individuals to remain hidden in plain sight, their views appearing more mainstream as their aesthetic aligns with broader cultural trends. This evolution in communication reflects a broader shift toward deniability and mainstreaming in far-right expression.
Germany's Extreme Right Adapts to Symbol Bans with Covert Aesthetics
AI-rewritten from original reportingHow it works
far-rightnazi-symbolscoded-communicationfashiononline-emojigermany



