Editing Heinrich Himmler (section)

== Mysticism and symbolism ==
{{main|Ideology of the SS|Occultism in Nazism}}
[[File:Sig runes.svg|thumb|left|upright=0.4|The stylised lightning bolts of the SS insignia were based on the [[Armanen runes]] of [[Guido von List]].]]

Himmler was interested in [[mysticism]] and the [[occult]] from an early age. He tied this interest into his racist philosophy, looking for proof of Aryan and Nordic racial superiority from ancient times. He promoted a cult of ancestor worship, particularly among members of the SS, as a way to keep the race pure and provide immortality to the nation. Viewing the SS as an "order" along the lines of the [[Teutonic Knights]], he had them take over the [[Church of the Teutonic Order, Vienna|Church of the Teutonic Order in Vienna]] in 1939. He began the process of replacing Christianity with a new moral code that rejected [[humanitarianism]] and challenged the Christian concept of marriage.{{sfn|Longerich|2012|pp=256–273}} The [[Ahnenerbe]], a research society founded by Himmler in 1935, searched the globe for proof of the superiority and ancient origins of the Germanic race.{{sfn|Yenne|2010|p=134}}{{sfn|Manvell|Fraenkel|2007|p=50}}

All regalia and uniforms of Nazi Germany, particularly those of the SS, used symbolism in their designs. The [[Runic insignia of the Schutzstaffel|stylised lightning bolt]] logo of the SS was chosen in 1932. The logo is a pair of [[runes]] from a set of 18 [[Armanen runes]] created by [[Guido von List]] in 1906. The ancient [[Sowilō (rune)|Sowilō]] rune originally symbolised the sun, but was renamed "Sieg" (victory) in List's iconography.{{sfn|Yenne|2010|p=64}} Himmler modified a variety of existing customs to emphasise the elitism and central role of the SS; an SS naming ceremony was to replace baptism, marriage ceremonies were to be altered, a separate SS funeral ceremony was to be held in addition to Christian ceremonies, and SS-centric celebrations of the [[Summer solstice|summer]] and [[winter solstice]]s were instituted.{{sfn|Yenne|2010|pp=93, 94}}{{sfn|Flaherty|2004|pp=38–45, 48, 49}} The ''[[Totenkopf]]'' (death's head) symbol, used by German military units for hundreds of years, had been chosen for the SS by [[Julius Schreck]].{{sfn|Yenne|2010|p=71}} Himmler placed particular importance on the [[SS-Ehrenring|death's-head rings]]; they were never to be sold, and were to be returned to him upon the death of the owner. He interpreted the death's-head symbol to mean solidarity to the cause and a commitment unto death.{{sfn|Longerich|2012|p=287}}