The white supremacist version of the Celtic Cross, which consists of a square-shaped cross intertwined with or surrounded by a circle, is one of the most important and commonly used symbols of white supremacy.
Although it is usually referred to as the Celtic Cross by white supremacists, its origins can be traced back to the pre-Christian “Sun Cross” or “Wheel Cross” in ancient Europe. Norwegian Nazis used a version of the symbol during the 1930s and 1940s. Following the Second World War, various white supremacist groups and movements adopted the symbol. Today, this interpretation of the Celtic Cross is used by neo-Nazis, racist skinheads, members of the Ku Klux Klan, and virtually every other type of white supremacist. It has also become established as part of the logo of Stormfront, the oldest and largest white supremacist website in the world.
The Celtic Cross, as it is commonly depicted, is a traditional Christian symbol used for religious purposes, as well as to represent concepts such as Irish pride. As such, it is a very common symbol and is predominantly used by non-extremists. Most depictions of the traditional Celtic Cross feature an elongated vertical axis, often accompanied by Celtic knotwork, resembling that of other Christian crosses. Although white supremacists occasionally use this version of the Celtic Cross, the overwhelming majority of uses of this version are non-extremist and, in the absence of other hate symbols, do not indicate white supremacy or racism.
It is the shorter version of the Celtic Cross, surrounded by a circle, that is most commonly used by white supremacists. Even in this case, however, care should always be taken to assess the symbol within its broader context.
ALTERNATIVE NAMES: Odin’s Cross · Sun Cross · Wheel Cross
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