The Wolfsangel symbol was traditionally used on German family coats of arms. It is said to be based on the design of a Germanic wolf trap. It was adopted by Nazi Germany and notably used on the insignias of many military divisions.

The Wolfsangel’s use predates fascism. Its appearance is not always explicitly hateful, but it should be viewed with suspicion. It continues to be a popular symbol in neo-Nazi movements. Until 2022 it was the centrepiece (along with a Sonnenrad) of the insignia for the Azov Special Operations Detachment, a contingent of the Ukrainian National Guard associated with neo-Nazism. The Wolfsangel is also used in emblems for groups such as Aryan Nations and is a common neo-Nazi tattoo.