Balkenkreuz

Two thousand years ago the cross symbolized tortuous death. Then later, unmodified in form, its meaning completely changed to a promise of ultimate bliss for life eternal.

Within these last two millennia, however, it has sometimes reverted to being a symbol of terror, as we read below.

And yet the symbol is so ubiquitous that many people attach no significance to it at all.

Balkenkreuz
Balkenkreuz
Rare Balkenkreuz
Rare Balkenkreuz

Generally in heraldry, 'square' crosses are battle crosses and square flags are battle flags. The two crosses on the left fit into a square and are familiar markings. The crosses on the right are elongated and rarely seen on official insignia. The elongated cross represents the cross on which Christ was crucified and is the symbol of Christianity. Make no mistake - the Balkenkreuz has little to do with Christianity and much to do with fighting.

The Balkenkreuz with parallel-edged limbs (first image) is based on the Greek Cross and with concave limbs (second image) is based on the Maltese Cross. Both of these symbols were used for the Iron Cross, also known as the Mantuan Cross, which has been used by the German military since 1918. The Balkenkreuz, like the Iron Cross, is almost invariably black.

Bundeswehr
Bundeswehr symbol

The current German Federal Defence Force (Bundeswehr) has a similar symbol but grey with blue flanks.

Jieitai
Jieitai flag
adopted in 1954
Japanese Imperial Army flag
Japanese Imperial Army flag

Interestingly Japan, another country with strong pacifist sentiments, has a similarly euphemistic official name for its Self Defence Force (Jieitai). Their insignia was also adopted from a wartime symbol and merged with the civil eight-pointed Brunswick Star.

The Balkans is a peninsula in south-eastern Europe and a crossroads of various cultures, with a history of an almost contiguous ammunition belt of wars and battles. However, the Balkenkreuz is not named from this region. The word Kreuz means 'cross' and Balken simply means 'beam'.

The cross of the Balkans, if indeed there was such a thing as a Balkan Cross, would most likely be a form of an Eastern Orthodox Cross. The wars of the area were fought in the name of various religions: Pagan, Muslim, Christian, but the real reason was not for the spread of any particular faith. Like all wars, they were about the acquisition of power and wealth.

The German military based their cross on the emblem of Christian Teutonic Knights and have not been alone in hiding behind the cross. Even today, military organisations and political groups attempt to ennoble and dignify their activities by using the Christian symbol. Schools and colleges, commercial organisations and even fashionistas are no exception.

The Red Cross headquarters, for example, makes no claim to be a Christian organization. They don't start each day with a Bible reading neither do they go around preaching salvation. Yet the cross symbol gives a subtle, even subliminal, image to the organisation's legitimacy.

If you're Christian, how can you avoid this oft-tarnished image of the cross? You know the answer: Don't rely on the cross symbol to advertise your Christianity, rather show your faith through everything you do and say.

Generally speaking, when a battle shield bears a cross, the four cross limbs are equal length to fit on the shield. See Heraldic Crosses

Generally speaking, flags are squared for battle because the symbol or marking on the flag is square. See National Flags

In 2015, although the majority of German citizens reiterated their opposition to international military engagements, German politicians increased their bellicose tirades against Russia. We must remember, of course, that Russia's invasion of Crimea happened just one year earlier. That sent a strong message to the whole of Europe that Putin's aim was to restore the Russia's empire. The invasion of the rest of Ukraine in 2022 enforced the same message, prompting Sweden and Finland to apply to join NATO.

Also in 2015, the majority of Japanese pollsters said they preferred to retain the country's pacifist constitution, but the government bowed under strong pressure from the US to change. This was probably indirectly linked to Russia's invasion of Europe, closely watched by PRC Chinese president Xi Jinping who's increasing determined to invade ROC Taiwan. (A Russian success in Europe would suggest the US was unable to protect its European trading partners; a comforting thought for Xi.) Unlike some other Asia-Pacific countries, Taiwan has shown no interest in being cajoled into accepting PRC control, and the US remains committed to do what it can to keep its trade with the Asia-Pacific free.

As Bertrand Russell said, "War does not determine who is right; only who is left". See Ignorance is bliss.

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