Small illustrated guide to hate in Québec

Logo of the Afrikaner Weerstandsbeweging (AWB), or Afrikaner Resistance Movement, a neo-Nazi-inspired white supremacist group from South Africa. Its symbol is inspired by the triskelion, a Celtic decorative motif representing three spirals joined at a central point and oriented in the same direction. As the AWB logo, the symbol also evokes a three-armed swastika and features the colours red, black, and white. It is used exclusively by neo-Nazi groups. The original triskelion (from the Celtic tradition) does not necessarily signal adherence to far-right ideologies, so it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

Cross symbol with four arms of equal length, each ending in an arrowhead. It is borrowed from the Arrow Cross Party, a fascist and antisemitic Hungarian political party founded in 1935 and dissolved in 1945. Since then, various neo-Nazi or white supremacist individuals and groups have sometimes used this antisemitic political symbol.

Racist practice used by members of the Ku Klux Klan, consisting of planting a Latin cross in the ground and setting it on fire. From the early 20th century, the KKK used it on certain occasions, such as during Klan rituals or to threaten Black families by planting such a cross in front of their homes. Its use is generally limited to groups that adhere to racialist theories, mainly the KKK, but it is now more widespread among certain other white supremacist groups, sometimes outside the United States.

Flag showing a Union Jack and the coat of arms of Canada on a red background. The Canadian Red Ensign was Canada’s flag before 1965. It also serves as the basis for the flags of several provinces, such as Manitoba and Ontario. It is sometimes used by monarchist, traditionalist, or even white supremacist groups to symbolize pre–Quiet Revolution Canada and to honour Canada’s British heritage. It can also be used as a form of denigrating Quebec (“Quebec bashing”) by pointing to the fact that, in its coat of arms, the symbol representing the Crown sits above the fleurs-de-lis. This flag is not used by nationalist groups in Quebec. Given its historical meaning, this flag displayed on its own does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

Cross symbol with four arms of equal length set within a circle. The Celtic cross has its origins in Celtic Christianity, but differs from the religious version, which is instead made up of a Latin cross (whose lower arm is longer than the others). It is mainly used by neo-Nazis and the Alt-Right, for example in the logo of the racist forum Stormfront, where it appears surrounded by the words “White Pride World Wide.” In the Quebec context, its political use almost always signals adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is often displayed by sympathizers of the neo-Nazi movement.

Red flag featuring two crossed blue-and-white bands set with 13 stars. The Confederate flag was the emblem of the Southern states defeated in the American Civil War (1861–1865). It generally symbolizes support for both the enslavement of Black people and racial segregation, and is often used by groups or people who are racist toward Black people. Those who use it, aware of its offensive nature, often try to conceal its racist meaning by associating it with “rural pride” in the United States, although it may sometimes be used by people who have not considered its real significance and symbolic meaning.

Emblem of the 36th SS unit of the Nazi army, whose commander, Oskar Dirlewanger, was notorious for his violence and sadism during the Second World War. He is now considered a hero within neo-Nazi groups, who wear the crossed grenades insignia in his honour and in reference to the actions of this unit between 1939 and 1945.

Logo of the neo-Nazi group Hammerskins, showing two crossed hammers, often on a cogwheel, and presented in black, white, and red. The group, founded in 1988 in Texas (United States), now has branches in various countries, including Canada. Their logo is sometimes accompanied by the number “38” (for CH, Crossed Hammers), generally in the same black, white, and red colours.

Black, white, and red flag, often featuring an imperial eagle or an Iron Cross. These were the war flags of the Reich for the periods 1903–1918 and 1933–1935. Less recognizable than the swastika flag, it is used and displayed by neo-Nazi groups to express their ideology. Its political use is exclusively neo-Nazi.

Gesture in which the right arm is raised at a 45-degree angle with the palm open, sometimes preceded by a fist to the heart or accompanied by a click of the heels, generally performed while standing at attention. Derived from the Roman salute, the Hitler salute became the official salute of Nazi Germany, generally accompanied by the words “Sieg Heil” (“hail victory”) or “Heil Hitler” (“hail Hitler”). It is a symbol specific to neo-Nazi groups and their members.

Cross symbol with four arms of equal length that widen at the ends, often depicted in black. This cross is first and foremost a military decoration that predates the Nazi regime, as it was among the military decorations of Imperial Germany. Because Hitler received it after the First World War, it became a decoration widely used under the Nazi regime and thus became a symbol of the regime. It is often used by bikers, sometimes without political meaning. Used on its own, it does not always represent adherence to far-right ideologies, but its political use is exclusively neo-Nazi.

Black, white, and green banner bearing the letter K four times, in a design inspired by the Nazi war flag. The logo of the 4chan forum appears in its upper left corner. Green was chosen to represent the “god Kek.” This “Kekistani” flag has been seen at various white supremacist demonstrations in the United States. In Quebec, the symbol remains largely a virtual phenomenon, known and circulated mainly by people close to the Alt-Right.

Gestures that include various hand signals, for example forming a “K” with three fingers, or holding one’s belt while leaving only the middle, ring, and little fingers showing. They can also take the form of a salute, similar to the Nazi salute but performed with the left arm and four fingers spread, for the four Ks of “Knights of the Ku Klux Klan.” These gestures are performed exclusively by KKK members and their sympathizers.

Symbol from Slavic mythology representing the sun god, made up of two swastikas or eight Sieg runes. It is sometimes used by racialist neo-pagan groups, but is above all frequently used as a tattoo by neo-Nazi skinheads. Given its historical meaning, this symbol used on its own does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

Rune from the Elder Futhark (ancient Scandinavian alphabet), later taken up by Nazi mysticism. Under the Nazi regime, the life rune appeared in the logos of numerous ministries and adorned the graves of SS soldiers killed in combat. The symbol has been more widely adopted by the far right, notably in the logo of the National Alliance, a white supremacist organization in the United States. Given its historical meaning, however, the life rune used on its own does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used. More recently, the symbol has occasionally appeared within the eco-fascist movement.

Symbol appearing in various logos and emblems associated with right-wing extremism. Under the Nazi regime, single or double chevrons adorned the insignia of various ranks and decorations of SS soldiers. It can also evoke the Greek letter lambda, the symbol the Spartans bore on their shields. In contemporary use, for example in the logo of the French extremist group Génération Identitaire, it symbolizes adherence to traditional values. However, since this symbol is regularly displayed for non-political reasons, its use does not necessarily signal adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

Symbol inspired by the 19th-century German imperial coat of arms, showing an eagle clutching a swastika. Created by the Nazi party in Germany in the 1920s, it was later adopted for the coat of arms of the German Reich from 1935 to 1945. Various versions of this symbol are now used by far-right groups (mainly neo-Nazi groups and the Alt-Right), often in combination with other symbols.

Black, white, and red banner featuring a Nordic cross topped with a swastika in an off-centre white circle, as well as an Iron Cross in the upper left corner. During the Second World War, it was mainly displayed by various German military entities, notably the Kriegsmarine (the navy). Today, when used in political contexts, this flag always signals adherence to far-right ideologies, as well as explicit support for the Nazi, racist, and antisemitic political project.

Symbol borrowed from American racist movements of the early 20th century. It evokes lynching and is a sign of hatred toward Black people. Uncommon, this symbol is generally found on pins and badges. The political use of this symbol is almost exclusively far-right.

Rune from the Elder Futhark (ancient Scandinavian alphabet). Under the Nazi regime, the Odal rune appeared on the insignia of certain SS divisions, as well as on that of the Race and Settlement Main Office (RuSHA). Because of its adoption by the Nazi regime, this symbol has some popularity among right-wing extremists, notably neo-Nazis, neo-fascists, and the Alt-Right. Given its historical meaning, however, this symbol used on its own does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

Hand gesture consisting of forming the letters “o-k” with one’s hand. It originally began as a hoax, orchestrated by 4chan users, to make people believe it actually represented the letters “WP” for White Pride or White Power. The symbol is now used semi-ironically by actual white supremacists, but also by a significant portion of “meme culture” participants, consumers of online memes. Used on its own, this symbol does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

Logo of the Sturmabteilung (Storm Detachment), a paramilitary organization that helped Adolf Hitler take power, more commonly known as the “Brownshirts.” The letters “SA” have been taken up by far-right organizations, notably in Quebec.

Rune from the Elder Futhark (ancient Scandinavian alphabet), representing the personification of the sun. Under the Nazi regime, the Sieg rune was widely used, notably in the SS insignia, as the emblem of the Hitler Youth, and in the logo of the Storm Detachment (Sturmabteilung). Because of its adoption by the Nazi regime, this symbol has some popularity among neo-Nazis. Given its historical meaning, however, this symbol used on its own does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

Symbol of Nazi mysticism, inspired by the Kolovrat, made up of three swastikas or twelve Sieg runes. It is sometimes used by racialist neo-pagan groups, but mostly by neo-Nazi skinhead groups. Since it is still used by various cultures today, this symbol displayed on its own does not necessarily represent adherence to far-right ideologies, and it is important to consider the context in which it is used.

Insignia showing two white Sieg runes on a black background. This symbol refers to the Schutzstaffel (“protection squadron”), more commonly known as the SS or Waffen-SS, the elite military corps of Nazi Germany responsible for the concentration camp system. It is used exclusively by neo-Nazis.

Symbol with four arms resembling the Greek letter gamma (hence its common French name, “croix gammée”). It is an ancient symbol found in many cultures throughout history, and is still used in some regions (especially in Asia) as a positive symbol of good fortune. It was appropriated by Adolf Hitler’s National Socialist Party, notably on the German flag of the Nazi period (1935–45), as illustrated here, and is now synonymous with racist and genocidal hatred. Its Nazi version is generally right-facing (arms pointing to the right) and often tilted at a 45-degree angle, but many variations of this symbol exist. In Quebec, the depiction of the swastika is always a symbol of hatred.

Ancient symbol, often heraldic, consisting of an axe wrapped in straight rods bound with straps. Dating back to the Roman Empire, it once symbolized the power and authority of the State. It was taken up in the 20th century by authoritarian parties (such as Benito Mussolini’s Fascist Party, which takes its very name from this symbol) to represent their absolute power. It is now often used by neo-fascist or white supremacist groups.

Skull over crossbones, in black and white. This insignia was set on the caps of the Schutzstaffel, the SS units in charge of running the Nazi regime’s concentration camps. This symbol is exclusively neo-Nazi.

A raised, exclusively white fist (generally the right one) on a black background. The White Fist is a symbol adopted in response to the Black Panther movement. It symbolizes “White Power,” that is, white power and white pride, and is sometimes accompanied by the inscription “RAHOWA.” It is used mainly by followers of white supremacist theories and by neo-Nazis.

An ancient rune that does not, however, appear in the Elder Futhark (ancient Scandinavian alphabet), the Wolfsangel is a German heraldic symbol reappropriated by the Nazis and worn by certain SS divisions. Today, the symbol is used by right-wing extremists as a symbol of resistance for the white race. It is mainly used by neo-Nazi groups and appears in the logo of the Aryan Nations group.