The Ss Tattoo, often depicted as two lightning bolt-like symbols, carries a heavy and controversial history deeply entwined with Nazi Germany and, subsequently, white supremacist movements worldwide. Understanding the origins and interpretations of the ss tattoo is crucial, especially given its prevalence and varied contexts.
The symbol itself is derived from the Schutzstaffel (SS) of Nazi Germany, an organization led by Heinrich Himmler that controlled the Nazi police state. The SS was instrumental in enforcing Nazi ideology, with members ranging from the Gestapo secret police to the armed forces of the Waffen-SS and guards in concentration camps. The notoriety of the SS and their heinous actions during World War II cemented their symbol as one of fear and hate.
The SS symbol’s visual representation comes from the “sowilo” rune, an ancient character from the runic alphabet associated with the “s” sound and, symbolically, with the sun. The Nazis, known for appropriating pre-Roman imagery for their propaganda, adopted and stylized this rune. Because the sowilo rune resembles a lightning bolt with flattened ends, the SS symbol became associated with a double lightning bolt motif. This stylized rune became the emblem of the dreaded SS, and consequently, the ss tattoo emerged as a visual shorthand for this historical entity.
Following the defeat of Nazi Germany, the ss tattoo did not disappear. Instead, it was adopted and repurposed by white supremacists and neo-Nazis globally. For these groups, the ss tattoo serves as a potent symbol of white power, racial hatred, and allegiance to Nazi ideology. Typically, white supremacists use the symbol in its original Nazi form, featuring two lightning bolt-like shapes with flat ends. However, variations exist, particularly within tattoo culture. These variants might include pointed bottom ends or pointed tops and bottoms on the bolts. These stylistic alterations are frequently observed in ss tattoos found in prison settings.
It’s important to note a less common but noteworthy context for the ss tattoo: outlaw biker gangs. Decades ago, some biker gangs adopted various Nazi-related symbols, including the ss bolts, often as shock symbols or expressions of rebellion and non-conformity rather than explicit endorsements of white supremacy. In the biker subculture context, an ss tattoo might not always signify genuine white supremacist beliefs. However, due to the presence of racists and white supremacists within biker gangs, the symbol’s interpretation in this context remains ambiguous and can be easily misunderstood. Determining the intended meaning of an ss tattoo within biker culture can be challenging and often requires careful consideration of context.
In conclusion, while variations and alternative interpretations exist, particularly within specific subcultures like outlaw bikers, the ss tattoo is overwhelmingly recognized and predominantly used as a symbol of white supremacy and neo-Nazism. Its origins in the Nazi SS and subsequent adoption by hate groups solidify its status as a hate symbol. Therefore, encountering an ss tattoo should be approached with caution and awareness of its deeply problematic and often hateful connotations.
