Life Rune

The life or Algiz rune is one of several Germanic runic letters adopted by the SS, the Nazi paramilitary organisation. 

Symbols resembling the life rune can also sometimes appear in non-hateful contexts, including by practitioners of pagan religions and beliefs, as well as by individuals with interests in pagan, Celtic, Nordic and Germanic cultures. As such, its use should always be identified and evaluated in context.

These runes were based on older Germanic runic alphabets, which were popularised in the late 19th and early 20th century by German nationalist figures before being subsequently co-opted by the Nazis, particularly the SS. Runic letters used by the Nazis continue to be used by neo-Nazi groups internationally.

The life rune was used alongside the death rune as a symbol for birth on gravestones during the Nazi era. It was also used by other Nazi organisations, including the SS’s Lebensborn program.