run off the swings symbolic imagery can be a very powerful ideological tool but
be a very powerful ideological tool but
be a very powerful ideological tool but not every image is universally accepted
not every image is universally accepted
not every image is universally accepted or wholesome welcome to watchmojo.com
or wholesome welcome to watchmojo.com
or wholesome welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks
and today we’re counting down our picks
and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten controversial symbols
for the top ten controversial symbols
for the top ten controversial symbols for this list we’re ranking visual
for this list we’re ranking visual
for this list we’re ranking visual political and ideological symbols that
political and ideological symbols that
political and ideological symbols that often serve up sight orders of
often serve up sight orders of
often serve up sight orders of hot-button controversy or trigger strong
hot-button controversy or trigger strong
hot-button controversy or trigger strong personal reactions from the public as
personal reactions from the public as
personal reactions from the public as well as those that possess the potential
well as those that possess the potential
well as those that possess the potential to offend or cause an uproar although
to offend or cause an uproar although
to offend or cause an uproar although not every symbol may be at the same
not every symbol may be at the same
not every symbol may be at the same level of extremity or may not mean the
level of extremity or may not mean the
level of extremity or may not mean the same thing to every culture their impact
same thing to every culture their impact
same thing to every culture their impact has nevertheless continued to resonate
has nevertheless continued to resonate
has nevertheless continued to resonate and provoke number 10 the apartheid flag
and provoke number 10 the apartheid flag
and provoke number 10 the apartheid flag of South Africa the history of this
of South Africa the history of this
of South Africa the history of this South African flag dates back to 1928
South African flag dates back to 1928
South African flag dates back to 1928 and depict smaller versions of flags
and depict smaller versions of flags
and depict smaller versions of flags representing the Dutch and English
representing the Dutch and English
representing the Dutch and English settlers that first colonized the
settlers that first colonized the
settlers that first colonized the country back in the 17th century
country back in the 17th century
country back in the 17th century although South Africa officially adopted
although South Africa officially adopted
although South Africa officially adopted a new national flag in 1994 the fact
a new national flag in 1994 the fact
a new national flag in 1994 the fact that this older flag represents the
that this older flag represents the
that this older flag represents the segregationist apartheid regime which
segregationist apartheid regime which
segregationist apartheid regime which was once in power there makes it a
was once in power there makes it a
was once in power there makes it a symbol often associated with white
symbol often associated with white
symbol often associated with white supremacists in the country and around
supremacists in the country and around
supremacists in the country and around the world
the world
the world a recent example includes 2015
a recent example includes 2015
a recent example includes 2015 Charleston South Carolina Church shooter
Charleston South Carolina Church shooter
Charleston South Carolina Church shooter Dylann roof whose Facebook page showed
Dylann roof whose Facebook page showed
Dylann roof whose Facebook page showed him wearing a jacket with an apartheid
him wearing a jacket with an apartheid
him wearing a jacket with an apartheid era South African flag this photo from
era South African flag this photo from
era South African flag this photo from roofs facebook profile shows him wearing
roofs facebook profile shows him wearing
roofs facebook profile shows him wearing a jacket with apartheid era Rhodesian
a jacket with apartheid era Rhodesian
a jacket with apartheid era Rhodesian flags these old flags from South Africa
flags these old flags from South Africa
flags these old flags from South Africa and Rhodesia no Zimbabwe represented
and Rhodesia no Zimbabwe represented
and Rhodesia no Zimbabwe represented these African nations when they were run
these African nations when they were run
these African nations when they were run by a white minority number nine the flag
by a white minority number nine the flag
by a white minority number nine the flag of Israel the sovereign state of Israel
of Israel the sovereign state of Israel
of Israel the sovereign state of Israel has flown this flag since October of
has flown this flag since October of
has flown this flag since October of 1948 and since that time the flag has
1948 and since that time the flag has
1948 and since that time the flag has been the subject of much debate I had
been the subject of much debate I had
been the subject of much debate I had really no idea what the response would
really no idea what the response would
really no idea what the response would be I figured the response when I flew
be I figured the response when I flew
be I figured the response when I flew these really flag will be negative but I
these really flag will be negative but I
these really flag will be negative but I kind of figured that going in on the
kind of figured that going in on the
kind of figured that going in on the unhand some Israeli Arabs have felt that
unhand some Israeli Arabs have felt that
unhand some Israeli Arabs have felt that the Star of David was too specific a
the Star of David was too specific a
the Star of David was too specific a Jewish symbol on the other hand some
Jewish symbol on the other hand some
Jewish symbol on the other hand some Orthodox Jews the Hasidim have also
Orthodox Jews the Hasidim have also
Orthodox Jews the Hasidim have also taken umbrage to the star citing that
taken umbrage to the star citing that
taken umbrage to the star citing that its appearance on the flag has quote
its appearance on the flag has quote
its appearance on the flag has quote defiled the symbol other groups have
defiled the symbol other groups have
defiled the symbol other groups have also claimed the flags blue stripes
also claimed the flags blue stripes
also claimed the flags blue stripes signify a Jewish ambition to take over
signify a Jewish ambition to take over
signify a Jewish ambition to take over the land of Israel between the Nile and
the land of Israel between the Nile and
the land of Israel between the Nile and Euphrates rivers net flag wave is the
Euphrates rivers net flag wave is the
Euphrates rivers net flag wave is the psychological genocide of this planet
psychological genocide of this planet
psychological genocide of this planet number 8 LGBT pride the rainbow flag
number 8 LGBT pride the rainbow flag
number 8 LGBT pride the rainbow flag although the history of this flag is
although the history of this flag is
although the history of this flag is comparatively recent to others on this
comparatively recent to others on this
comparatively recent to others on this list as it was only popularized around
list as it was only popularized around
list as it was only popularized around 1978 it has seen increased visibility
1978 it has seen increased visibility
1978 it has seen increased visibility and controversy in contemporary history
and controversy in contemporary history
and controversy in contemporary history the rainbow flag is representative of
the rainbow flag is representative of
the rainbow flag is representative of diversity the gay pride movement and
diversity the gay pride movement and
diversity the gay pride movement and tolerance within the gay lesbian
tolerance within the gay lesbian
tolerance within the gay lesbian bisexual and transgendered communities
bisexual and transgendered communities
bisexual and transgendered communities now it’s not just a rainbow that each
now it’s not just a rainbow that each
now it’s not just a rainbow that each stripe actually has a symbolic meaning
stripe actually has a symbolic meaning
stripe actually has a symbolic meaning so each colored stripe represents a
so each colored stripe represents a
so each colored stripe represents a different trait of the LGBT movement red
different trait of the LGBT movement red
different trait of the LGBT movement red represents life orange represents
represents life orange represents
represents life orange represents healing yellow represents sunlight green
healing yellow represents sunlight green
healing yellow represents sunlight green represents nature blue represents
represents nature blue represents
represents nature blue represents serenity and violet represents spirit
serenity and violet represents spirit
serenity and violet represents spirit despite the flags message of peace
despite the flags message of peace
despite the flags message of peace however there still exists much in the
however there still exists much in the
however there still exists much in the way of resistance and intolerance from
way of resistance and intolerance from
way of resistance and intolerance from those who do not approve of the
those who do not approve of the
those who do not approve of the lifestyles for which this flag flies
number seven the Rising Sun flag of
number seven the Rising Sun flag of Japan this next symbol on our list may
Japan this next symbol on our list may
Japan this next symbol on our list may possess one of the longest national
possess one of the longest national
possess one of the longest national histories as the incorporation of
histories as the incorporation of
histories as the incorporation of Japan’s Rising Sun flag dates all the
Japan’s Rising Sun flag dates all the
Japan’s Rising Sun flag dates all the way back to the Adell period of
way back to the Adell period of
way back to the Adell period of feudalism between 1603 and 1868 the main
feudalism between 1603 and 1868 the main
feudalism between 1603 and 1868 the main bone of contention with this flag
bone of contention with this flag
bone of contention with this flag however is a bit more recent as the
however is a bit more recent as the
however is a bit more recent as the flags bright red Sun on a stark white
flags bright red Sun on a stark white
flags bright red Sun on a stark white backdrop is often associated with the
backdrop is often associated with the
backdrop is often associated with the Japanese imperialism of World War two
Japanese imperialism of World War two
Japanese imperialism of World War two although these days the flag is
although these days the flag is
although these days the flag is associated primarily with contemporary
associated primarily with contemporary
associated primarily with contemporary pop culture imagery and ads for many
pop culture imagery and ads for many
pop culture imagery and ads for many this Rising Sun flag still harbors some
this Rising Sun flag still harbors some
this Rising Sun flag still harbors some unpleasant memories and is considered
unpleasant memories and is considered
unpleasant memories and is considered offensive to many Chinese and South
offensive to many Chinese and South
offensive to many Chinese and South Korean individuals moves to allow the
Korean individuals moves to allow the
Korean individuals moves to allow the use of this flag are expected to poison
use of this flag are expected to poison
use of this flag are expected to poison already strained relations with South
already strained relations with South
already strained relations with South Korea and China China considers the flag
Korea and China China considers the flag
Korea and China China considers the flag the equivalent of the Nazi swastika in
the equivalent of the Nazi swastika in
the equivalent of the Nazi swastika in Europe number six the Washington
Europe number six the Washington
Europe number six the Washington Redskins logo in a story similar to that
Redskins logo in a story similar to that
Redskins logo in a story similar to that of Major League Baseball’s Cleveland
of Major League Baseball’s Cleveland
of Major League Baseball’s Cleveland Indians the controversy behind the NFL
Indians the controversy behind the NFL
Indians the controversy behind the NFL teams mascot and logo has been brewing
teams mascot and logo has been brewing
teams mascot and logo has been brewing for many years if you want the Redskins
for many years if you want the Redskins
for many years if you want the Redskins to change their name what about the
to change their name what about the
to change their name what about the Blackhawks what about the Indians in
Blackhawks what about the Indians in
Blackhawks what about the Indians in Major League Baseball what about the
Major League Baseball what about the
Major League Baseball what about the Atlanta Braves in a major league
Atlanta Braves in a major league
Atlanta Braves in a major league baseball many Native American rights
baseball many Native American rights
baseball many Native American rights groups and tribes have protested the
groups and tribes have protested the
groups and tribes have protested the lack of racial sensitivity behind the
lack of racial sensitivity behind the
lack of racial sensitivity behind the Redskins name and logo which depicts the
Redskins name and logo which depicts the
Redskins name and logo which depicts the side profile of an American Indian with
side profile of an American Indian with
side profile of an American Indian with a feathered headdress and have called
a feathered headdress and have called
a feathered headdress and have called for its elimination from team uniforms
for its elimination from team uniforms
for its elimination from team uniforms and memorabilia Native Americans call
and memorabilia Native Americans call
and memorabilia Native Americans call themselves many things
themselves many things
themselves many things the one thing they don’t
the team has even come before court
the team has even come before court judges with regards to their trademark
judges with regards to their trademark
judges with regards to their trademark of the name as recently as 2014 it’s the
of the name as recently as 2014 it’s the
of the name as recently as 2014 it’s the US District Court upholding a prior
US District Court upholding a prior
US District Court upholding a prior ruling on July 8th 2015 relating to the
ruling on July 8th 2015 relating to the
ruling on July 8th 2015 relating to the cancellation of several Redskins
cancellation of several Redskins
cancellation of several Redskins trademarks this serves as a sign that
trademarks this serves as a sign that
trademarks this serves as a sign that the logos days may be numbered we
the logos days may be numbered we
the logos days may be numbered we received a lot of pressure from certain
received a lot of pressure from certain
received a lot of pressure from certain communities to change our Redskins logo
communities to change our Redskins logo
communities to change our Redskins logo as a company we want to be firm but we
as a company we want to be firm but we
as a company we want to be firm but we also want to be flexible number 5 the
also want to be flexible number 5 the
also want to be flexible number 5 the jihadist black flag this Islamic flag is
jihadist black flag this Islamic flag is
jihadist black flag this Islamic flag is an offshoot of the black standard a
an offshoot of the black standard a
an offshoot of the black standard a solid black flag also known as the
solid black flag also known as the
solid black flag also known as the banner or the banner of the eagle that
banner or the banner of the eagle that
banner or the banner of the eagle that was flown by the Prophet Mohammed using
was flown by the Prophet Mohammed using
was flown by the Prophet Mohammed using a black flag as its background the
a black flag as its background the
a black flag as its background the jihadist black flag is inscribed with an
jihadist black flag is inscribed with an
jihadist black flag is inscribed with an islamic creed or Shahada that’s been
islamic creed or Shahada that’s been
islamic creed or Shahada that’s been printed in white since its first
printed in white since its first
printed in white since its first documented appearance in the 18th
documented appearance in the 18th
documented appearance in the 18th century during the hotaki dynasty in
century during the hotaki dynasty in
century during the hotaki dynasty in what is now Afghanistan and Pakistan the
what is now Afghanistan and Pakistan the
what is now Afghanistan and Pakistan the Taliban and al-qaida have been known to
Taliban and al-qaida have been known to
Taliban and al-qaida have been known to use it
use it
use it the flags association with terrorism and
the flags association with terrorism and
the flags association with terrorism and the armed jihadist holy war movements
the armed jihadist holy war movements
the armed jihadist holy war movements has led to its increased level of
has led to its increased level of
has led to its increased level of controversy around the world a decision
controversy around the world a decision
controversy around the world a decision was taken by the flag well because we
was taken by the flag well because we
was taken by the flag well because we live in a free country and I think it’s
live in a free country and I think it’s
live in a free country and I think it’s I think you’d have to you’d have to have
I think you’d have to you’d have to have
I think you’d have to you’d have to have primary legislation to designate certain
primary legislation to designate certain
primary legislation to designate certain you know bits of iconography as being
you know bits of iconography as being
you know bits of iconography as being illegal number 4 the hammer and sickle
illegal number 4 the hammer and sickle
illegal number 4 the hammer and sickle this iconic symbol of the communist
this iconic symbol of the communist
this iconic symbol of the communist movement was first conceived during a
movement was first conceived during a
movement was first conceived during a Russian Revolution of 1917 it’s seen an
Russian Revolution of 1917 it’s seen an
Russian Revolution of 1917 it’s seen an increased level of worldwide visibility
increased level of worldwide visibility
increased level of worldwide visibility right up through the Cold War of the
right up through the Cold War of the
right up through the Cold War of the 1980s
1980s
1980s between the United States and the Soviet
between the United States and the Soviet
between the United States and the Soviet Union mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall
originally meant to represent the
originally meant to represent the worker-peasant alliance the symbols
worker-peasant alliance the symbols
worker-peasant alliance the symbols association with the Cold War sentiment
association with the Cold War sentiment
association with the Cold War sentiment has led to its controversy over the
has led to its controversy over the
has led to its controversy over the years soon after the end of World War
years soon after the end of World War
years soon after the end of World War two Russia had occupied many new
two Russia had occupied many new
two Russia had occupied many new territories bringing additional millions
territories bringing additional millions
territories bringing additional millions of people under communist control
of people under communist control
of people under communist control however the hammer and sickle still
however the hammer and sickle still
however the hammer and sickle still remains a viable and popular symbol
remains a viable and popular symbol
remains a viable and popular symbol within Russian
within Russian
within Russian orders despite the Soviet Union’s
orders despite the Soviet Union’s
orders despite the Soviet Union’s dissolution in 1991 number three
dissolution in 1991 number three
dissolution in 1991 number three the Confederate flag the flag of the
the Confederate flag the flag of the
the Confederate flag the flag of the Confederate States of America otherwise
Confederate States of America otherwise
Confederate States of America otherwise known as the Confederate flag became an
known as the Confederate flag became an
known as the Confederate flag became an especially controversial topic in 2015
especially controversial topic in 2015
especially controversial topic in 2015 with South Carolina’s landmark decision
with South Carolina’s landmark decision
with South Carolina’s landmark decision to remove it from the state capitol
to remove it from the state capitol
to remove it from the state capitol building following the Charleston Church
building following the Charleston Church
building following the Charleston Church shooting ‘he’s serving as an issue of
shooting ‘he’s serving as an issue of
shooting ‘he’s serving as an issue of precedent for other southern states who
precedent for other southern states who
precedent for other southern states who continue to fly the symbol or
continue to fly the symbol or
continue to fly the symbol or incorporated within their own states
incorporated within their own states
incorporated within their own states flags the man accused of the shooting
flags the man accused of the shooting
flags the man accused of the shooting Dylan roof had earlier posted these
Dylan roof had earlier posted these
Dylan roof had earlier posted these photographs of himself with the flag the
photographs of himself with the flag the
photographs of himself with the flag the rebel flag as it’s sometimes known has
rebel flag as it’s sometimes known has
rebel flag as it’s sometimes known has come under fire for many human rights
come under fire for many human rights
come under fire for many human rights groups and individuals as a symbol of
groups and individuals as a symbol of
groups and individuals as a symbol of slavery and racism similar to the
slavery and racism similar to the
slavery and racism similar to the burning crosses of the Ku Klux Klan
burning crosses of the Ku Klux Klan
burning crosses of the Ku Klux Klan dating back to the Confederate flags
dating back to the Confederate flags
dating back to the Confederate flags usage by southern states during the
usage by southern states during the
usage by southern states during the American Civil War I cannot believe that
American Civil War I cannot believe that
American Civil War I cannot believe that we did not have the heart in this body
we did not have the heart in this body
we did not have the heart in this body to do something meaningful such as take
to do something meaningful such as take
to do something meaningful such as take a similar hate off these grounds on
a similar hate off these grounds on
a similar hate off these grounds on Friday number 2 the inverted pentagram
Friday number 2 the inverted pentagram
Friday number 2 the inverted pentagram although usage of an upright pentagram
although usage of an upright pentagram
although usage of an upright pentagram can be traced back to many cultures and
can be traced back to many cultures and
can be traced back to many cultures and religions from East Asian traditions and
religions from East Asian traditions and
religions from East Asian traditions and Pagan nature religions to its adoption
Pagan nature religions to its adoption
Pagan nature religions to its adoption as a Christian symbol of the five senses
as a Christian symbol of the five senses
as a Christian symbol of the five senses the inverted pentagram has long been
the inverted pentagram has long been
the inverted pentagram has long been associated with the occult you’re
associated with the occult you’re
associated with the occult you’re holding it upside down indeed many
holding it upside down indeed many
holding it upside down indeed many practitioners and students of the occult
practitioners and students of the occult
practitioners and students of the occult have cited its usage by such noted
have cited its usage by such noted
have cited its usage by such noted figures as Church of Satan founder Anton
figures as Church of Satan founder Anton
figures as Church of Satan founder Anton LaVey and magician Aleister Crowley
LaVey and magician Aleister Crowley
LaVey and magician Aleister Crowley whose habitual referencing of the number
whose habitual referencing of the number
whose habitual referencing of the number 666 earned him the nickname beast which
666 earned him the nickname beast which
666 earned him the nickname beast which he expanded to the Great Beast
as such symbol strong demonic imagery
as such symbol strong demonic imagery and anti-christian sentiment has
and anti-christian sentiment has
and anti-christian sentiment has incurred controversy over the years
incurred controversy over the years
incurred controversy over the years thanks in part to its pop culture
thanks in part to its pop culture
thanks in part to its pop culture appearances in television music and film
appearances in television music and film
appearances in television music and film not unlike the inverted Christian cross
not unlike the inverted Christian cross
not unlike the inverted Christian cross before we unveil our number one pick
before we unveil our number one pick
before we unveil our number one pick here are some honorable mentions
this symbols undeniable association with
this symbols undeniable association with the dictatorial reign of Adolf Hitler
the dictatorial reign of Adolf Hitler
the dictatorial reign of Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich during the Nazi
and the Third Reich during the Nazi
and the Third Reich during the Nazi party’s occupation of Germany from 1933
party’s occupation of Germany from 1933
party’s occupation of Germany from 1933 to 1945 is the reason why the swastika
to 1945 is the reason why the swastika
to 1945 is the reason why the swastika takes a predictable top spot on our list
takes a predictable top spot on our list
takes a predictable top spot on our list despite the symbols early history as a
despite the symbols early history as a
despite the symbols early history as a secret image among Hindus Buddhists and
secret image among Hindus Buddhists and
secret image among Hindus Buddhists and janus –ts indeed the adoption of
janus –ts indeed the adoption of
janus –ts indeed the adoption of symbols such as the swastika and twin
symbols such as the swastika and twin
symbols such as the swastika and twin lightning bolt by white supremacist
lightning bolt by white supremacist
lightning bolt by white supremacist organizations in the years following
organizations in the years following
organizations in the years following Germany’s defeat by Allied forces in
Germany’s defeat by Allied forces in
Germany’s defeat by Allied forces in world war ii ensures their place in the
world war ii ensures their place in the
world war ii ensures their place in the annals of controversy up stolen basi
annals of controversy up stolen basi
annals of controversy up stolen basi house fish to be in hot do you agree
house fish to be in hot do you agree
house fish to be in hot do you agree with our list
with our list
with our list what other symbols do you find to be
what other symbols do you find to be
what other symbols do you find to be controversial for more informative top
controversial for more informative top
controversial for more informative top 10s published every day be sure to
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