| Rodło | |
|---|---|
 Rodło logotype | |
| Adopted | 1932 |
| Use | Official emblem of theUnion of Poles in Germany |
TheRodło is a Polishemblem used since 1932 by theUnion of Poles in Germany. It is a stylized representation of theVistula River andKraków as the wellsprings ofPolish culture.
AfterAdolf Hitler had seized power in Germany, Nazi emblems were soon nationalized. Theswastika became national emblem of the Third Reich and Poles from the Union of Poles in Germany could not use their national symbols anymore, because they were prohibited. Dr. Jan Kaczmarek approached the supreme council with the following proposal:
"Our acceptance of the swastika and the German greeting could only signify agreement to totalgermanisation. Therefore we must find a way, without risking the accusation of anti-state activity; of not accepting Heil Hitler and the swastika (...) we should at last have our own national symbol, which would, enable us publicity to set ourselves free from the Nazi swastika."[1]
TheRodło was invented as a new symbol around which Poles in Germany could rally. The name "rodło" is aportmanteau of "ród" ("folk") and "godło" ("emblem").
TheRodło graphic was conceived in the 1930s by graphic designerJanina Kłopocka,[2] who sketched the "emblem of theVistula River, cradle of thePolish people, and royalKraków, cradle ofPolish culture". The white emblem was placed on a red background, the Polishnational colors. It was adopted in August 1932 by the leadership of theUnion of Poles in Germany.
The Rodło has since been adopted by other organizations of Poles in Germany, notably theScouts, who have used it alongside thefleur de lys. After the World War II it was also used by organizations working in Poland, on the territories gained from Germany as the result of war.
Various Polishfootball clubs have been named after the Rodło or have utilised it in their club’s badge, such as the formerlyEast Prussian clubRodło Trzciano.[3] TheLower Silesian clubRodło Granowice,[4]Pomeranian sideRodło Kwidzyn,[5] andUpper Silesian teamRodło Górniki were all formed in 1946.[6] In 1996 another club from the latter regionRodło Opole, was formed.[7]
In 1985 thePeople's Republic of Poland introduced theRodło Medal [pl]. In 1992, after the fall ofcommunism, it was discontinued.
| Constitutional |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Military | ||
| Historical | ||
| Names and codes | ||
| Unofficial | ||