National Idea (symbol)

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The National Idea (Ukrainian: Ідея нації) "ꑭ" ("ꏢ") is the symbol actively used by Ukrainian nationalist organizations. It is most widely used by members of the Social-National Assembly, the Azov Civil Corps, and the Azov Brigade. The symbol has been compared and accused of being a variation of the Nazi symbol Wolfsangel.^[1][2][3]

The symbol "National Idea" is a monogram of the letters "I" and "N". The form of writing of the letter "N" corresponds to the traditional, ancient Ukrainian style of spelling.^[4] The monogram is formed by intertwining these letters, with the letter "I" vertically and in the center crossing the transverse element of the letter "N".

Over the years since its appearance, the symbol has spread significantly, so many interpretations of the symbol have appeared: attacking, assault, field, international, military, nationalist, pagan, amulet, territorial defense, Freikorps (used by the Freikorps unit), PU (double monogram used by the Patriot of Ukraine organization), and casual.

The symbol "National Idea" was created in 1992 as an emblem of the Social-National Party of Ukraine. The author of the symbol is the artist Nestor Proniuk (at different times he held the positions of "Commissioner for Propaganda and Agitation" and "Commissioner for External Relations" in the SNPU). He developed the graphic symbol at the request of the Committee of Commissioners (a collegial body of the NPU).^[5]

Subsequently, the use of the National Idea symbol was supported by the Patriot of Ukraine, the Azov Brigade, the 3rd Assault Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the Kharkiv unit of Frykor, and other nationalist structures and organizations that were part of the Social National Assembly.^[6]

The blue monogram was depicted on party banners, and the black monogram on the banners of the Patriot of Ukraine, a society for the Armed Forces and Navy. The color of the banners in both cases was gold.

According to the author of the Azov ideology blog, Oleksiy Rains, the National Idea symbol is currently the de facto symbol of Ukrainian nationalism in general and is not subject to copyright.^[7][8]

The author of the "National Idea", Nestor Proniuk, said in an interview: "...I do not feel any authorial ambitions. The spread of the symbol is the highest recognition. This is already the heritage of national creativity...".^[5]

Members of the Azov Battalion have stated that the symbol represents the Ukrainian words for "united nation"^[9][10] or "national idea" rather than the inverted version of the Wolfsangel.^{[9][11][verification needed]} It was used by the Patriot of Ukraine organization (many of whose members joined Azov in 2014) from 2003 to 2014 and the related Social-National Assembly party in 2014,^[12] both movements which claimed to continue the legacy of the original Social-National Party.^[13]

Despite the rebuttals, Azov soldiers have worn fascist or Nazi-associated symbols on their uniforms,^[1] including swastikas and SS symbols in addition to the National Idea symbol.^[14]

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  Flag of the SNPU, Social-National Assembly and Patriot of Ukraine
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  Variation of the symbol using the runic monogram created of the initial leters "П" and "У".
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  Former emblem of the Azov Battalion with the "National Ideia" imposed over a Black Sun
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  Logo of the Social-National Assembly
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  Logo of the minor party Ukrainian National Union
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  Logo of the Azov Civil Corps
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  An Insignia of the Karelian National Battalion
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  Patriot of Ukraine congress in 2008
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  Social-National Assembly (at the time a component of the Right Sector) flying a flag while raising funds during the Euromaidan
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  The "National Idea" symbol in Azov flags in a parade in Kyiv, 2019
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  Member of the Sich Battalion wearing a balaclava with the "National Idea" symbol