Comments on: Norse Heathen Symbols Are Not Hate Symbols

By: Cacaoatl

Cacaoatl — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 01:47:56 +0000

The Nazis and their racist ideology ruined many symbols for the rest of us. The swastika is an ancient symbol found in many cultures and religions including Hinduism, Buddhism, and some American Indian cultures but because Hitler chose it for the Nazi flag, people can’t see it without thinking of the Third Reich and the Holocaust. I remember the controversy when the swastika appeared in the manga series Blade of the Immortal. Dark Horse comics had to add a disclaimer to the American edition of the comic to clarify the swastika’s benevolent meaning. Runes date back to the 1st Century but thanks to Himmler people don’t see them with out thinking of the SS. It’s sad that some racists continue to pervert these symbols to promote their sick ideologies.

By: jason

jason — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 02:14:56 +0000

In no way do i find norse, pagan, wiccan or any other religon symbols offensive, i myelf have a pentagram on my right wrist plus a triquatra on my left wrist. i really want to get some norse symbolsm, i think any body should be able to get what ever they want. these symbols shouldnt been seen as symbols of hate. i live in Australia and i want to get involved with the viking religion but i dont know how. i admire the vikings and their runes, symbols and such.

By: jor'mek

jor'mek — Tue, 18 May 2010 20:33:33 +0000

I am pleased with said site. May oden look opon it with great plesure

By: Jógvan

Jógvan — Fri, 14 May 2010 19:53:01 +0000

first of all what Hitler did to the swastika and other symbols is horrible.. he perverted old significant symbols into his own twisted ideology, and for us in this modern age to associate the symbols automatically to Hitler and his nazi regime, is understandable, but still rediculous.. I myself have alot of old viking symbols on my right arm, even the dreaded and oh so controversial swastika, however, I for one see the symbols for what they are, not for what some clinically insane people have used them for. since I got my inked up sleeve I’ve noticed how narrow-minded most people are about these symbols.
I for one see the beauty and history in these symbols, and I think that everyone should be able to see it that way.

oh and by the way, to Jerry Shabazz, you can tattoo what ever you want on yourself, it’s your body and therefore, your descision. if anyone finds it offensive it’s their problem, but honestly however, i dont see why anyone would find it offensive.

By: Jonez

Jonez — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 14:02:19 +0000

I could never think of it as offense as it is part of my culture. I have a magic sign tattooed on myself and runic lettering. It didn’t even cross my mind until I read this article that some people might find it offensive in anyway or that they might wonder if I were a Nazi.

By: Gillian

Gillian — Thu, 22 Apr 2010 10:14:09 +0000

To Skandi,

How on earth is it offensive?! What, is it suddenly impossible to embrace your own culture whilst having an interest in others? I’m of Norwegian decent and damn proud of it, but I guess the Chinese symbol for the year of my birth I had tattooed on my back is disrespectful to my heritage huh? Jeez, lighten up.

By: Skadi

Skadi — Tue, 20 Apr 2010 02:41:55 +0000

To Jerry Shabazz,

I am happy you like the old vikings ways. But I feel you should look into your own background. Honor your people! I see it offensive. Sorry. I am not hating on you. I just feel you should embrace your own background, my friend.

By: Dane

Dane — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:30:25 +0000

Hey Jerry Shabazz,

I seriously doubt that anyone will find it at all offensive that you’re considering a Viking style tattoo, in fact I’d personally feel very honoured.
And really, aren’t we Homo sapiens all of African descent originally anyway?

I say go for it, however (someone correct me if I’m wrong) isn’t the “Leben” rune in actuality the algiz/elkhaz rune of the elder futhark that was simply re-named “Leben” (life) by the SS?

By: Jerry Shabazz

Jerry Shabazz — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 15:06:33 +0000

I am a big fan of viking, and Norse culture, so much so that I was thinking of getting a Norse Leben Rune of life branded on me. Being of african decent, will those of viking decent find this offensive?

By: Paul

Paul — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 06:00:54 +0000

It is true that there is a lot of ignorance when it comes to runes. I have a bind rune tattoo on my arm and I used to get some angry looks at the gym, especially from black guys. I found this extremely ironic, because I am married to a mixed race woman. If runes are symbols of hate, then the same logic says that the cross is a symbol of oppression and the star and crescent are symbols of terrorism.