Expert: Kevin Johnson - 2/22/2005

Question
I want to know the connection between the iron cross to motorcycles.  Bikers in general really love america, but I know that many wear a cross or have one on there bikes.  If I am not mistaken germany is very much the developer of bikes, but I just don't understand the die hard american bikers love for the German iron crosses.


Answer
Hello Scott,

The symbology of the Iron Cross goes back to the cristian cross and more specifically the crosses used in the crusades (e.g. the Maltese Cross). Thus the religious meaning of the cross was mixed with connotations of war, conquest and heroism.

The Iron Cross as a military decoration was introduced by King Frederick William III of Prussia in 1813 as the highest military decoration in the Napoleonic War. It was awarded equally to sodiers of all military or social ranks. It was awarded for the most exceptional courage, bravery and heroism.

It was reintroduced in 1870 by Emperor William I in the Franco-Prussian War and also in 1914 by Emperor William II in the First World War. In all these times there was also a non-combattant version of the award. In WWI the Iron Cross was awarded so numerously (especially the second class version: 5 million times) that its high esteem was lost. Adolf Hitler was awarded the Iron Cross second class in WWI.

In 1939 Adolf Hitler reintrocuced the Iron Cross combattant award, this time with a swastika in the middle. It was awarded more that 2.5 million times, and so it was a common souvenir, especially for American soldiers, who brought the symbol to the US.

In Germany it is forbidden to wear the version with the swastika in the middle and veterans were given a replacement with oak leaves to wear. But the Iron Cross is still a symbol used as a national emblem on military vehicles and as part of the military banner of Germany, symbolizing  freedom, courage and bravery.

The connection to Hitler is indeed not so strong as to tarnish the Iron Crosses image that is rooted in a much older tradition.

Now the connection to bikers probably has its roots in returning GI's bringing back souvenirs like Iron Crosses and german military motorbikes. The German army indeed employed excellent bikes widely as swift land vehicles. Although the earliest motorbikes were built in Germany, the American manufacturer Indian was the world leader in motorbikes until 1928 the German DKW topped them. After the 2nd WW the German NSU was leading up until the 1970s when Honda took the crown.

American veterans who upon returning from the war found they had lost their jobs - and often also their wives - formed the first biker gangs (e.g. Hells Angels) and protested and rebelled against the established society. But not until the 1960s did the Iron Cross become a symbol for the chopper world. The connotations of freedom and courage might have been a factor, the 'Germanness' (and thus perceived evilness) was of value for shock effect with mainstream society - like German army helmets. The fact that German army motorcycles sported the symbol might have played a role here also.

Nowadays the IC has become a symbol for chopper riders in the US (Note: not in Germany!). Purists even go so far as to say you only earn the right to wear an IC if you more or less built your own bike.

Ironically history seems to be repeating itself as the commercialization and widespread use of the IC by bike fans (on T-shirts, buttons, stickers, tattoos etc.) dillutes the image of the chopper symbol.

Peace,
Kevin.