EDIT: tysm for the feedback guys!!! i decided I won’t get this tattoo because I’d rather avoid the risk at all knowing it still has that association, even with a different meandros design.
That said, any other suggestions for designs?
ORIGINAL POST:
hello everyone! this a very specific question so I hope it’s allowed here.I’m an American, but my mom’s heritage is almost entirely from the Mediterranean (Italy and Greece specifically), I love Greek history, and I’m planning to move to Greece someday.
I’d like to get a [meandros tattoo like this](https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/rectangle-frame-seamless-meander-pattern-meandros-1957927753) around one of my arms, but I realized that it looks unfortunately similar to [Golden Dawn’s logo](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Logo_x.a._article.png). for obvious reasons, I definitely do not want to be interpreted as a Golden Dawn supporter lol.
is there any chance it would be seen like that, or would no one think it’s related to Golden Dawn? are there any alternative tattoos anyone would recommend?
thank you!!
9 comments
Something [like this](https://ibb.co/Rg1vt6K) should be OK
If it was a single strand like the golden dawn logo I would think it’s strange and probably alt right
If it was the linked above I wouldn’t really associate it with that
It’s very good that you are informed and conscious about it! To be completely honest I think a meandros tattoo would be considered kinda cringy even if there wasn’t any connection to those neonazis.
How about an [olive branch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_branch) or [olive wreath](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olive_wreath) instead? But not around your arm, that would be tacky. Maybe incorporated in a different design.
I think there a lot of Greek symbols from ancient times/mythology that would be nicer.
If you are planning to do this, do it like bracelet on your arm. It’s pretty common. Just don’t do it as the symbol of Golden Dawn because if you come to Greece, you might get beaten.
Hey man don’t let some fascist pigs ruin a symbol that exists thousands of years . Let them rot in jail , if you don’t do it because it might resemble their logo that means they are still relevant .
Time for them to be part of the past , fascists already ruined another ancient symbol ( swastiga ) it would be a shame if they do it again .
The tattoo pattern around the leg of wrist is actually common in Greece .
If you ‘d tat a swastika go for it. If not don’t.
For better or worse, the meanings of symbols change in time and circumstance, and unfortunately, at this time, in Greece some people might associate the meander with nationalism, just like Nordic symbols are in other parts of the world (also cool designs).
I would advise you to consider this and decide whether you are willing to take the small risk of being misinterpreted. Otherwise, I’d say you look into generic abstract geometric tattoos and you could definitely find something that looks nice.
Do it but write above it “Όχι ΧΑ” meaning not GD. It should work.
Nobody will associate it with those idiots if it’s actually looping more than once.
When they first became mainstream during the econ crisis and a journalist asked them “Why do you use a Nazi-like symbol for your party?” I still remember vividly the glee in the eyes of that fat fuck like he was prepared and was awaiting that question before he started berating the journalist.
From that moment I realized that Golden Dawn took the swastika and said “how can we make a symbol similar to this to signal that we are neonazis without others being able to blame us as such?” And they found the [looping meandros](https://www.skgalanos.gr/images/blog/meander.jpg) that was decoration around vases and shit and said “ha if we cut this to just one loop it will resemble the swastika enough for our dog whistle and when they blame us we’ll just say that it’s an ancient Greek symbol and flame them for not regonizing it and being unpatriotic”
So if you like to make it around your arm or something you are fine cause it will actually loop.