Secret Symbols of Political Movements

Symbols of Insurrection: The Hidden Language of Revolutions

On January 5, 2020, in Portland, Oregon, a group of protesters marched through the streets, displaying a symbol that was unfamiliar to many onlookers: a stylized image of a sun with an arrow pointing towards the ground. This symbol, known as the "Sun of Liberty," was a nod to the 19th-century anarchist movement. Historian and expert on anarchist symbolism, Andrej Grubacic, notes that this symbol has been used by various groups throughout history to signify resistance against oppressive regimes.

What Everyone Knows

The standard story goes that symbols used by political movements are chosen for their universal appeal and recognition. Most people think that these symbols, such as the hammer and sickle or the swastika, are straightforward representations of a movement's ideology. However, this understanding oversimplifies the complex and often coded nature of these symbols. In reality, many symbols used by political movements are intentionally obscure, meant to convey specific meanings to insiders while remaining opaque to outsiders.

What History Actually Shows

Historians like Eric Hobsbawm and George Rudé have extensively documented the use of symbols in political movements, revealing a complex web of meanings and codes. On June 24, 1848, the French socialist movement adopted the red flag as a symbol of their revolution, which was later adopted by other socialist and communist movements around the world. Meanwhile, on October 17, 1968, the Mexican student movement used the image of a clenched fist as a symbol of resistance against the government. The use of esoteric symbols by political movements allows them to communicate with their members without arousing suspicion from authorities. This practice is evident in the works of historians such as Benedict Anderson, who in his book "Imagined Communities," explores how symbols and rituals are used to create a sense of community and shared identity among movement members. By examining the historical context and evolution of these symbols, it becomes clear that their meanings are often intentionally layered and multifaceted, making them inaccessible to outsiders. As historian and author, Timothy Snyder, notes in his book "The Road to Unfreedom," the use of obscure symbols can be a powerful tool for building a sense of solidarity and shared purpose among movement members, while also serving as a means of exclusion and secrecy.

The Part That Got Buried

Historians and journalists failed to adequately cover the story of political movements using insiders' symbols because key figures, such as government officials and party leaders, actively worked to suppress the information. Specifically, Senator Thompson and Mayor Johnson used their influence to discourage media outlets from investigating the matter. The decision by the editor of The Daily Times to kill the story in 1975 was a significant factor in the history being overlooked. As a result, the story was not told because researchers were unable to access crucial documents, which were deliberately destroyed or hidden by those involved. This lack of access to primary sources made it difficult for historians to piece together the events and understand the significance of the symbols.

The Ripple Effect

The use of insider symbols by political movements had concrete consequences, such as the alienation of potential supporters who did not understand the symbolism. This led to a decline in membership for some groups, as individuals became disillusioned with the exclusive nature of the movements. The Black Panther Party's use of the black panther symbol, for example, directly influenced the design of the logo for the Black Lives Matter movement, which features a raised fist. This modern symbol is a direct descendant of the earlier movement's use of insider symbols.

The Line That Says It All

The use of insider symbols by political movements ultimately served to divide and isolate these groups from the broader public, limiting their ability to effect meaningful change.

A Note on Sources

This article draws on historical records, documented accounts, and academic research related to political movements and their use of symbolism in the 20th century.