Black Sun
In its own language: Schwarze Sonne
from German Schwarze Sonne, coined in a 1991 novel
A twelve-part sig rune design from a Nazi castle, now used by extremist groups.
The Black Sun is a geometric symbol created for Heinrich Himmler's Wewelsburg castle in Nazi Germany. It was later adopted by neo-Nazis and white supremacists as an emblem of their ideology.
- Created for Wewelsburg castle by Heinrich Himmler between 1936 and 1942.
- Composed of twelve dark-green sig runes on a white marble floor.
- Name coined in a 1991 novel by pseudonymous author Russell McCloud.
- Used by perpetrators of the Christchurch and Buffalo shootings.
- Removed from Azov Brigade logo in 2015 due to Nazi associations.
What it is
The Black Sun is a specific geometric design consisting of twelve radial sig runes arranged in a circle. It originated as a floor mosaic in the north tower of Wewelsburg castle in Germany. The design was commissioned by Heinrich Himmler for the SS ceremonial center. Although it resembles a sun wheel, its original purpose and name within the Nazi hierarchy remain unknown to historians.
Where it comes from
The symbol first appeared between 1936 and 1942 during the remodeling of Wewelsburg castle. Himmler ordered the construction of the General's Hall with a white marble floor featuring the dark green rune pattern. Scholars suggest possible inspiration from Iron Age ornamental disks, but no direct link has been confirmed. The name 'Black Sun' did not exist during the Nazi era and was invented decades later.
Tools and materials
The primary tool is the physical mosaic itself, located in the Obergruppenführersaal. It uses twelve sig runes, similar to those in the SS logo, set into white marble. The runes are dark green, creating a stark contrast. No other tools or ritual objects are associated with the original design.
Black Sun, drawn and placed
- Living
- Revived
- Fading
- Historical
- Legendary
- Performed
- Lineage
- Nazi occultism
What it is for
Himmler intended Wewelsburg to be the spiritual center of the SS. The mosaic likely served a ceremonial function within that context. Later, former SS officer Wilhelm Landig repurposed the image as a substitute for the swastika. He claimed it represented a mystic energy source for Aryan renewal.
Peoples and places
The symbol is primarily associated with Germany due to its origin at Wewelsburg. In recent years, it has spread globally through far-right movements. Groups in Australia, Ukraine, and the United States have displayed the symbol. Some Ukrainian units initially used it before removing it due to its Nazi associations.
What people believe
Neo-Nazi groups view the symbol as a sign of esoteric power and Aryan identity. Some Satanist factions adopt it for its dark aesthetic. The 1991 novel Die Schwarze Sonne von Tashi Lhunpo popularized the occult connection.
How scholars and sceptics see it
Researchers note that the symbol had no official name in the Third Reich. Daniele Seipe states there are no contemporary sources explaining its meaning. Scholars distinguish between the historical mosaic and the modern extremist appropriation. The Anti-Defamation League advises analyzing the symbol in its specific context.
Cautions and what is closed
The symbol is widely recognized as a hate marker. Its use can lead to social backlash and professional consequences. Several political figures have faced criticism for accidental displays. The Christchurch shooter and Buffalo shooter both used the symbol in their manifestos.
Compare and confuse
The Black Sun is often confused with ancient runic symbols. It is sometimes mistaken for pre-Columbian art, as seen in Shakira's merchandise error. It differs from the Wolfsangel and Totenkopf, though all are used by similar groups. The term Sonnenrad is a broader category that includes this design.
Today
The symbol remains active in online extremist propaganda. It appears on clothing, flags, and digital media. NATO removed a tweet featuring the symbol on a Ukrainian soldier's uniform after complaints. Commercial products occasionally feature the design unaware of its history.
Questions people ask about Black Sun
What is the Black Sun?
It is a geometric symbol of twelve radial sig runes, originally designed as a floor mosaic for Wewelsburg castle in Nazi Germany. It was commissioned by Heinrich Himmler for the SS ceremonial center.
Where does the name come from?
The name 'Black Sun' (Schwarze Sonne) was not used during the Nazi era. It was invented by former SS officer Wilhelm Landig and popularized by a 1991 occult thriller novel titled Die Schwarze Sonne von Tashi Lhunpo.
Why do extremists use it?
Neo-Nazis and white supremacists adopted it as a substitute for the swastika. They associate it with esoteric power, Aryan identity, and a mystic energy source for racial renewal, despite its unknown original meaning.
Is it an ancient symbol?
No. While inspired by medieval sig runes, the specific design was created in the 20th century. Some mistakenly believe it is pre-Columbian or ancient Scandinavian, but it is a unique Nazi-era creation.
Good reading and sources
- DeSantis campaign fires aide who shared clip with Nazi symbolBBC, Article
- Azov fighters are UkraineThe Guardian, Article
- Black Sun (symbol) on WikipediaEncyclopedia
- More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
- Wikidata recordOpen data
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Black Sun (symbol)", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.
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