Fasces

A fasces is a symbol depicting a bundle of wooden sticks with an axe, or occasionally two axes. The term is derived from the Latin singular fascis, meaning a bundle. 

The symbol has been used historically for centuries in Europe, including in Ancient Rome, as a symbol of governance and authority, and remains in use. The fasces appears on, for example, the official seal of the United States Senate, other US federal institutions, and other institutions and emblems around the world.

Given the fasces’ history and its frequent use in contemporary institutional seals, emblems and iconography around the world, its use should always be carefully identified and evaluated in context.

The fasces was used as a primary symbol by the Italian Fascist Party, and is from where the term “fascism” gets its name. Like the yoke and arrows, the fasces generally represents unity, strength and power (i.e., a bundle of sticks bound together being less breakable than a single stick).

Stylised fasces continue to be used as symbols by contemporary hate groups.