Hello. I was wondering a simple question about this tattoo I'm thinking of getting.
My Dad's side of the family is heavily German. I love my German heritage, and play on digging deeper into it.

Here is the idea: http://s1135.photobucket.com/albums/m621/Ixiom1/?action=view¤t=jeffpicv2.jpg
I'm not sure if it's a bad thing, like something of the Nazi's or "ill-favored" background. I asked my German Foreign Language Teacher and she kinda beat around the bush about "Well some one ignorant would see it has a Hitler, or Nazi Symbol" But I can't just rely on 1 culturally defendant teacher. I don't want someone in the crowd like screaming "HEY! That guy is a racist!"

Please share any background or thoughts on this image, Positive or Negative. Thanks.

That isn't the Nazi eagle anyway (which in itself isn't as offensive as, say, the swastika).

That's the http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/%7Ebobwiss/images/COA-Austria.jpghttp://www.ngw.nl/int/dld/images/duitslan.jpg


It doesn't look anything like this: http://popartmachine.com/artwork/LOC+1029062/0/German-eagle-gripping-swastika-LOT-3575-%5Bitem%5D-%5BP&P%5DCheck-for-an...-painting-artwork-print.jpg

as important as that symbol or what it represents to you should be more important than what other people will think of you because it.

at least that is my philosophy regrading tattoos.

Yeah. I know the whole story 'bout the Swastika. Was used centuries before Hitler. Some cultures have it as a good symbol.

No, it wasn't the swastika, the reverse of the swastika was used by Buddhists (I think) as a symbol of love, the Nazi party wanted a symbol of hate so they reversed it.


Buddhist symbol: http://san-shin.net/images/SGS-Bogwangsa-03.JPG


EDIT: the swastika is on a tilt, but you can see the arms go the other way on the Buddhist insignia.

I heard somewhere (and this is probably wrong) that even the American military used it at some point.

I believe that the swastika was in fact known as a symbol for power. Who knew it as a symbol of power, is now lost to the sands of time.

Ah, Well the story I heard was that (Might have been Buddhist, I'm not sure) But if it was turned one way, it was a sign of health and luck and love, life etc. etc. But turned the opposite way, it was all the bad things. That's what I was trying to say.

http://history1900s.about.com/cs/swastika/a/swastikahistory.htm

According to About.com (I'm not sure how credile the source is, but I haven't found it to be wrong on ancient symbols that have been altered and used to represent fascist political parties so far)

the swastika was a reoccurring symbol used by the native americans as well.

That particular one is ugly, but ive seen the general concept here and there and yeah, makes me think 'Nazi'. I dont know anything about the origins of the symbol so you can probably trust that my perception of it is what the average person on the street would think too

Really? I've never seen it in a nazi context before. The Nazi eagle looks quite different

Uneducated people will say uneducated things about it, at least that's what I see happening.

If you see it as a problem get the Austrian eagle with the German flag (they look similar) or get it on your back

Like this guy: http://thinktanktattoo.com/images/gallery/scottie_deville_tattoos/german_eagle_tattoo.jpg

Nah, it's fine.

There are some that might think Nazi, but only those who can't tell the difference between German and Nazi.

There isn't anything wrong with it. If anything it is an educational opportunity. If anyone gives you lip and calls you a nazi, you can sit them down and educate them about the long and rich history of the german people. Don't let others make you feel bad or worried about your heritage.

The type of people who would say that are not the type of people who want a lesson on why they're ignorant.

Just saying. My main experience with the basic design of the symbol comes from various band logos and album covers, national socialst bands.

Also, just because I dont care doesnt mean Im ignorant. /homer simpson-ish

You could paint your body with inverted crosses and explain rationally to everyone who is offended by it that its not traditionally a satanic symbol but is it really worth the hassle?

Considering socialists were persecuted by the Nazis wouldn't that have the opposite effect?

Not everyone is as knowlegable about stuff that doesnt really matter as others. I think he was asking if the symbol has a negative vibe to it, and it does. Dont want to be asked if you are Nazi? Dont get this tattoo.

*Facepalm*

Nazi = Nationalsozialismus = National Socialism. The More You Know?.

And even though I know the differences between the Nazi eagle and the German / Austrian eagle, most people don't and won't make the distinction. I'd say you'd probably get flak for it.

Short answer: Find something else to get permanently etched into your body.

Then to hell with them they are ignorant lol

Isn't that symbol basically the same as the german national football team have in their http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ee/Philipp_Lahm,_Germany_national_football_team_(04).jpg?

people here can go around and around all day but in the end, the short and simple answer is unless you are ok with explaining it, dont get it.

The Eagle is based off the one Germany people used for centuries and the flag is today's German Flag. There isn't anything Nazi about it. Its just ignorant people that want you to feel bad for being German. The worse Nazis weren't even German they were Austrian, Hitler wasn't even German. Still that is besides the point.

The world is full of stupid people and people that will always try to make you feel bad for being German.