History of the forbidden symbol "Idea of the Nation"

by Oleksii Rains

The "Idea of the Nation" sign is one of the symbols of war in Ukraine. During the siege of Mariupol, it was actively used by defenders of the Azovstal plant. Primarily by the AZOV regiment.

Russian propaganda emphasizes that it is "Wolfsangel" and points to its connection to neo-Nazi. On the other hand, Ukrainians claim that this sign is the "Idea of the Nation", is connected to their people’s history, and is also considered the national symbol of Ukraine along with a tridenet–the official coat of arms of Ukraine. Where is the truth?

Journalist Oleksii Rains conducted his own study on the nature of this symbol in Ukraine. Who popularized it? Is it connected to a far-right ideology? Is it related to neo-Nazi Germany? And why did Meta ban its publication on Facebook and Instagram? Find the answers to these questions in this unique book.

Kindle Edition

Published March 23, 2023

About the author

Ukrainian writer and soldier. Known in both war and publicist activity by the pseudonym “Consul.”

Author of the illustrated research books “What is AZOV from Ukraine?” and “History of the forbidden symbol Idea of the Nation”. He expressed his views in the far-right book “CONSUL ON IDEOLOGY”, which reviewers call essential for understanding the development of the modern Ukrainian nationalist movement.

Volunteer of the SOF AZOV regiment, combatant during the Russian-Ukrainian war. A serviceman of the Third Army Corps of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on active duty.

Reviews

[Vladyslav Kobzar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Things that you need to know about symbolism and philosophy behind AZOV movement are here. Great book and Kruks legacy. Rains did a great job.

[ValgardtheWolf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief history of the alleged origin of the infamous symbol. The author explains the difference between the Ukrainian symbol of the national ideal and the German Wolfsangel, the origin of the Ukrainian symbol and the origin of the Wolfsangel over the centuries. The author argues that the Ukrainian symbol is not at all related to the Wolfsangel and National Socialism and that these are only claims of the Russian propaganda. The author also expresses his position that it is a mistake to associate Ukrainian social-nationalist ideology with National-Socialism.

[Ruslan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting book about necessary things in Ukraine! This book started my way on opening my eyes to nationalism itself and Ukrainian culture

[Віталіна · Rating 5 out of 5]

Маючи свої власні книжкові вподобання, я інколи люблю, коли мені дарують книги “на свій смак”. Бо саме тоді у моє життя приходить щось нове, несподіване і, можливо, важливе.

Книга Олексія Рейнса «Історія забороненого символу. Ідея Nації» стала для мене такою знахідкою. Уже сама присвята — “тим хоробрим українцям, кого позбавили права голосу” — звучить сильно й викликає повагу.

Видана у невідомому для мене видавництві «Рейнсхаус», книга вразила кількістю наочних фото, історичних прикладів і фактів. Автор детально показує, де зустрічався цей символ, на що він схожий, як його порівнювали, забороняли, спотворювали.

Серед багатьох фраз особливо запам’яталась:

> “Шлях здолає той, хто йде. Правда сильніша за брехню, і рано чи пізно вона переможе — проте лише тоді, якщо за неї боротимуться.” 🇺🇦💘

У кінці книги додані цікаві QR-коди, які дозволяють продовжити занурення у тему — сучасно й інтерактивно.

Це не просто видання про символ. Це книга про ідентичність, силу народу й боротьбу за правду.

[Yurii Shchur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good book about ukrainian symbol "Idea of the Nation". The authors tells story about creation of this symbol, when it was created, by whom and what ideology stands behind it. Also Oleksii shows how russian propaganda tries to claim "Idea of the Nation" as nazi symbol, and proves that such statements have no real confirmation and are just result of russian imagination.

If you have seen this symbol and wondering "What does it mean?" or if you are interested in AZOV brigade and want to find out something new about it, I bet this book will be interesting for you.

[Sam · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the book informative in some areas, but the writers bias is evident from the moment he tries to claim the SNPU was not a national socialist party. He then skips over details of Bandera and Stetsko’s collaboration with Hitler and the UPA’s participation in the Holocaust. He failed to mention the Sonnenrad (Black Sun) symbol featured in Azovs logos throughout his book. Ignoring Ukraine’s history and its current Neo-Nazi movements only strengthens Russian propaganda and provides support for its illegal invasion.

[Данило Гончар · Rating 5 out of 5]

A comprehensive work where the history of the symbol “IN” is analysed. This book reveals the roots of this symbol and explains its modern meaning. This book breaks russian fakes about “IN”, the research is based on facts and proven by documents, which are included in the book.

[Yurii Zherebukh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Russia focused a massive propaganda against ukrainians to descreditide the symbol. So the book has proofs and a lot of research against lies.

[Ігор Чорний · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful book that explains in simple words a topic that is rarely discussed

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Дякую за таку роботу, все дуже толково пояснено.
Хто чогось не знав, але не сумнівався буде мати факти 🫶