The Iron Cross is a common symbol enriched by Prussian and German history, and has become a popular icon on everything from belt buckles to motorcycles. From its rich military heritage in the Prussian and German armies as the primary award for bravery to its common display on vehicles and as a fashion statement, the Iron Cross is both misunderstood and appreciated by many.
History
The Iron Cross was created by an architect named Karl Schinkel, and was awarded in 1813 for the first time. It has gone through many changes, with its arguably most notorious revival coming from Adolf Hitler, who reinstated the traditionally Prussian award with various additives (swastikas and eagles) to note various achievements. In 2009, the Iron Cross is a standard design on all German military vehicles and aircraft, with the now-illegal swastika obviously removed.
Significance
Awarded for bravery, the Iron Cross is akin to the American Army's Silver Star or Britain's Victoria Cross, both of which are awarded for acts of gallantry. Other variations of the Iron Cross included specialized ribbons (as in the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross), oak leaves, swords, and diamonds for exceptionally distinguished achievements.
Most Prestigious
The highest award of the Iron Cross was the Knight's Cross of the Iron Cross with Golden Oakleaves, Swords and Diamonds. Initially, Hitler had designated that only twelve of these awards would be graced upon the top dozen warriors in the Third Reich. As Hitler's dream failed, an exception was made and one man received the award: Hans Ulrich Rudel, a Stuka bomber in the Luftwaffe. To earn his achievement, Rudel destroyed 518 tanks, 150 artillery positions, 700 vehicles, sank the Russian battleship Marat (as well as a cruiser and a destroyer), 70 Russian landing craft and "hundreds of other targets."
Use in Other Cultures
In the civilian world, perhaps the most notorious revival of the Iron Cross started in the 1960s, when members of counter-culture (like surfers and bikers) began using the Iron Cross as an "in your face" anti-authority tactic. Since then, the Iron Cross has seen popularity in the clothing and styles of bikers, punks and goths who may or may not understand the history behind it.
Misconceptions
Due to the relationship with Adolf Hitler, the Iron Cross may be offensive to some, as it is still used in the tattoos and emblems of White Supremacist groups. In Germany, it is illegal to wear or promote a swastika, but Neo-Nazi groups (in Germany and elsewhere) utilize the Iron Cross with a centralized swastika as an emblem. In the United States, the Iron Cross is widely used as a simple design, but its presence may be controversial depending on the context.
Tags: Iron Cross, Adolf Hitler, Cross both, Cross Iron, Cross Iron Cross
