All three of the symbols shown above are representative of the Arrow Cross movement from World War II era Hungary. The first cross shown above is the classic Arrow Cross, a favorite of fascist because of its meaning, expansion in all directions. The cross is also a military sign for radar station or direction finding station, symbolic of the emphasis on military prowess combining with modern technology. The second cross was specifically designed and used by the Arrow Cross party during the 1930's and 1940's. This particular form is based on the ancient rallying sign for the Magyarian tribes from the time that they arrived in the region now called Hungary around 1000AD. The Arrow Cross party revered these tribesmen. The Magyarian tribes were semi-nomadic people who lived of the land while constanting waging battle or neighboring communities. It is easy to see how a fascist puppet government under the control of the Nazi party would raise such people to the level of heroes. The third cross is a variation of the previous two and has largely the same meaning. The basis of the symbol is an expansion in all directions denoting the parties hope that its ideals(fascist ideals) would spread from Hungary to all its neighbor states. In this it is synonymous with all the Christian crosses used to represent world evangelization, the effort to spread the doctrines of the Christian faith in all directions. Party leaders felt that an integral facet of their grip on power was to make sure that all alternative forms of leadership were removed from the psyche of the people. To that end the party quickly moved to eliminate and absorb signs of the removed Austro-Hungarian royal family as their own. One such symbol was the Royal Property insignia, which looks like a large V garnered in the form of a wreath. The Arrow Cross party adopted the same symbol as a sign of a district office and placed the V at the entrance of all official party buildings. Clearly the goal of such a program was to take a symbol that was already familiar and revered by the Hungarian people and tie it to the party, in effect injecting the Arrow Cross party in the royal families position as absolute leader. The party also completely renovated the appearance of the army, abandoning the traditional uniforms for a more modern one. The new Hungarian Army wore dark colors very similar in style to that of the German and Italian armies. Also the Arrow Cross symbol(distinctive cross) became the medal of valor, much like the Nazi Iron Cross. Photo of Szalasi and Soldier/ Photo of Arrow Cross Headquarters with Royal Property Seal There are two symbols that were used inside the party which were very intriguing. First, among the rank and file street soldiers of the Arrow Cross, possessing something Jewish was a sign of experience and rank. After a raid on a Jewish area, commanders and soldiers that had been particularly effective in carrying out their tasks would be rewarded with a trophy, something traditionally Jewish that could be attached to their uniform, like a citation. It was common for street lieutenants to have the soles of their shoes covered with Torah scrolls(hand-written copies of the first five books of the bible.) The second symbol, and the one associated with the higher rank officials in the party was the lack of any common military uniform. When party officials had reached a national position within the party, they were allowed to remove their uniforms and begin dressing in civilian cloths. Only direct Army officials continued to wear their uniforms. Unlike the fascist in Italy and Germany, where the uniform was a sign of rank and power, in Hungary the right not to wear the uniform was a sign of power within the party. Important Links RETURN TO [Arrow Cross Home] [Student Project Page] [Fascism Class Page] [Petropoulos Main Page]
The first cross shown above is the classic Arrow Cross, a favorite of fascist because of its meaning, expansion in all directions. The cross is also a military sign for radar station or direction finding station, symbolic of the emphasis on military prowess combining with modern technology.
The second cross was specifically designed and used by the Arrow Cross party during the 1930's and 1940's. This particular form is based on the ancient rallying sign for the Magyarian tribes from the time that they arrived in the region now called Hungary around 1000AD. The Arrow Cross party revered these tribesmen. The Magyarian tribes were semi-nomadic people who lived of the land while constanting waging battle or neighboring communities. It is easy to see how a fascist puppet government under the control of the Nazi party would raise such people to the level of heroes.
The third cross is a variation of the previous two and has largely the same meaning. The basis of the symbol is an expansion in all directions denoting the parties hope that its ideals(fascist ideals) would spread from Hungary to all its neighbor states. In this it is synonymous with all the Christian crosses used to represent world evangelization, the effort to spread the doctrines of the Christian faith in all directions.
Party leaders felt that an integral facet of their grip on power was to make sure that all alternative forms of leadership were removed from the psyche of the people. To that end the party quickly moved to eliminate and absorb signs of the removed Austro-Hungarian royal family as their own. One such symbol was the Royal Property insignia, which looks like a large V garnered in the form of a wreath. The Arrow Cross party adopted the same symbol as a sign of a district office and placed the V at the entrance of all official party buildings. Clearly the goal of such a program was to take a symbol that was already familiar and revered by the Hungarian people and tie it to the party, in effect injecting the Arrow Cross party in the royal families position as absolute leader.
The party also completely renovated the appearance of the army, abandoning the traditional uniforms for a more modern one. The new Hungarian Army wore dark colors very similar in style to that of the German and Italian armies. Also the Arrow Cross symbol(distinctive cross) became the medal of valor, much like the Nazi Iron Cross.
Photo of Szalasi and Soldier/ Photo of Arrow Cross Headquarters with Royal Property Seal
There are two symbols that were used inside the party which were very intriguing. First, among the rank and file street soldiers of the Arrow Cross, possessing something Jewish was a sign of experience and rank. After a raid on a Jewish area, commanders and soldiers that had been particularly effective in carrying out their tasks would be rewarded with a trophy, something traditionally Jewish that could be attached to their uniform, like a citation. It was common for street lieutenants to have the soles of their shoes covered with Torah scrolls(hand-written copies of the first five books of the bible.)
The second symbol, and the one associated with the higher rank officials in the party was the lack of any common military uniform. When party officials had reached a national position within the party, they were allowed to remove their uniforms and begin dressing in civilian cloths. Only direct Army officials continued to wear their uniforms. Unlike the fascist in Italy and Germany, where the uniform was a sign of rank and power, in Hungary the right not to wear the uniform was a sign of power within the party.
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