- Rodło
The Rodło is a Polish
emblem used since 1932 by theUnion of Poles in Germany . It is a stylized representation of theVistula River andKraków as the wellsprings ofPolish culture .History
The Polish national emblem, the White Eagle, having been banned in Nazi
Germany , the "Rodło" was invented as a new symbol that Poles in Germany could rally around. The name, "Rodło"," is aportmanteau of "ród" ("folk") and "godło" ("emblem ").The "Rodło" graphics was conceived in 1930's by the graphic designer,
Janina Kłopocka , who sketched the "emblem of the Vistula River, cradle of thePolish people , and royalKraków , cradle ofPolish culture ". The white emblem was placed on a red background — the Polishnational colors . It was adopted in August 1932 by the leadership of theUnion of Poles in Germany .The similarity to half of the
Nazi swastika was probably not intended, but was noticed by Germans. Actually, Rodło was a Polish patriotic challenge to the swastika.Other uses
The Rodło has since been adopted by other organizations of Poles in Germany, notably the Scouts, who have used it alongside the
fleur de lys . After the World War II it was also used by organizations working in Poland, on the territories gained from Germany as the result of war.In 1985 the
People's Republic of Poland introduced a Rodło Medal. In 1992, after the fall ofcommunism , it was discontinued.ee also
*
History of Poland External links
* [http://www.rodlo.de/Rodlo1.htm History of the Rodło (in Polish)]
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