Tyr Rune

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

It should always be identified and evaluated in context, as it is also used by practitioners of pagan religions and beliefs, as well as by individuals with interests in pagan, Nordic and Germanic cultures and runic writing systems. It also resembles a simple upwards-pointed arrow.

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

The Tyr rune was used by Nazi military units as a unit badge and symbol, including the 2nd SS Volunteer Grenadier Division "30th January”, a Waffen-SS division. It was also a symbol used by the “Fuhrers' Schools" (“Reichsführerschulen”) as a patch given to graduates.

For hate groups, the Tyr rune is intended to represent concepts including war, battle and military leadership.