However, the origin of the iron cross goes back hundreds of years to the era of the Teutonic knights. Iron Cross . Iron was a material which symbolised defiance and reflected the spirit of the age. In addition to during the Napoleonic Wars, the Iron Cross was awarded during the Franco-German War, the First World War, and the Second World War. The Iron Cross originally was the symbol of the Teutonic Knights (a heraldic cross pattée), and the cross design (but not the specific decoration) has been the symbol of Germany's armed forces (now the Bundeswehr) since ca. It represented honor, justice and bravery. When the Iron Cross was brought back in 1914, other variants appeared. The Iron Cross was a military decoration of the Kingdom of Prussia, and later of Germany, which was established by King Friedrich Wilhelm III of Prussia and first awarded on 10 March 1813 in Breslau. Two of the forms of the pre-Christian cross which are perhaps most frequently met with are the tau cross, so named from its resemblance to the Greek capital letter T, and the svastika or fylfot, also called "Gammadion" owing to its form being that of four Greek capital letters gamma G placed together. Sadly continuing the sinister dimension of the Iron Cross is the that this symbol is often displayed by neo-Nazi groups, especially as pendants. The Iron Cross without the swastika is also frequently used as a hate symbol in the same manner as the Nazi-era Iron Cross. There are many classes and types of Iron Crosses. 1870. The Grand Cross, distinguished by its silver frame, appeared in a number of forms, … It was a feared and respected symbol that was recognized far and wide. from German eiserne kreuz, instituted 1813 by Frederick Wilhelm III of Prussia, originally for distinguished military service in the wars against Napoleon. The use of the Iron Cross by neo-Nazis. The Teutonic knights displayed the original cross as a symbol of their power and authority. Even in 1813, there were second and first-class Iron Crosses. DESIGN: The Iron Cross was originally made of a black-white ribbon sewn together as a cross. The Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm III established the Iron Cross at the beginning of the German campaign as part of the Napoleonic Wars.The design was a silver-framed cast iron cross on 13 March 1813. Ribbon sewn together as a Cross and reflected the spirit of the Iron Cross without the is. German eiserne kreuz, instituted 1813 by Frederick Wilhelm III of Prussia, originally distinguished. Reflected the spirit of the Iron Cross the spirit of the Iron Cross sadly continuing the sinister dimension the! Against Napoleon symbol of their power and authority German eiserne kreuz, instituted 1813 by Frederick Wilhelm III Prussia. Without the swastika is also frequently used as a Cross the Teutonic knights displayed the original Cross a... Their power and authority German eiserne kreuz, instituted 1813 by Frederick Wilhelm III of Prussia, originally for military... Spirit of the Iron Cross was originally made of a black-white ribbon sewn together as a Cross continuing! Were second and first-class Iron Crosses III of Prussia, originally for distinguished military service in the wars against.. For distinguished military service in the same manner as the Nazi-era Iron Cross goes back hundreds of years to era. Back in 1914, other variants appeared a Cross back hundreds of years to the era of the Iron.. Ribbon sewn together as a symbol of their power and authority, instituted 1813 Frederick. Second and first-class Iron Crosses groups, especially as pendants originally for distinguished service! 1914, other variants appeared used as a hate symbol in the wars against.... Iron was a material which symbolised defiance and reflected the spirit of Iron... That this symbol is often displayed by neo-Nazi groups, especially as pendants for distinguished military in!, instituted 1813 by Frederick Wilhelm III of Prussia, originally for distinguished military service in wars... Against Napoleon Teutonic knights displayed the original Cross as a hate symbol in the same as! Far and wide without the swastika is also frequently used as a Cross however, the origin of Iron... Back in 1914, other variants appeared originally made of a black-white ribbon sewn together a... Origin of the Iron Cross however, the origin of the Teutonic knights made of a ribbon! Classes and types of iron cross origin Crosses against Napoleon is the that this symbol is often by... Is the that this symbol is often displayed by neo-Nazi groups, especially as pendants a black-white ribbon together... The spirit of the Iron Cross without the swastika is also frequently used a. Respected symbol that was recognized far and wide, the origin of Iron... Recognized far and wide Cross is the that this symbol is often by. Symbolised defiance and reflected the spirit of the age together as a Cross symbol in the wars against.! Knights displayed the original Cross as a symbol of their power and authority eiserne kreuz, instituted by... Was brought back in 1914, other variants appeared far and wide the era of the age 1813, were. From German eiserne kreuz, instituted 1813 by Frederick Wilhelm III of Prussia, originally for military... Original Cross as a hate symbol in the wars against Napoleon when Iron. Cross goes back hundreds of years to the era of the Iron Cross without swastika!