Rhiannon Hendricks
There were official and unofficial rings worn by German military and political personnel during the Third Reich period. One such ring was the SS-Ehrenring, also known as the Totenkopf ring, which was designed by Austrian occultist and SS-Brigadeführer, Karl Maria Wiligut. The ring was manufactured by the Otto and Karolina Gahr Family Jewelry from Munich. It featured various symbolic engravings, including the recipient's name, the date of presentation, a facsimile of Heinrich Himmler's signature, and the abbreviations S Lb, which stood for Seinem Lieben or His Beloved. The ring was to be returned if an SS member was dismissed, retired, or deceased.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ring Name | SS-Ehrenring |
| Designer | Karl Maria Wiligut, an Austrian occultist and SS-Brigadeführer |
| Manufacturer | Otto and Karolina Gahr Family Jewelry from Munich |
| Material | 90% silver |
| Engravings | Heinrich Himmler's signature, the awardee's name, the date of the award, the letters S Lb. ("Seinem Lieben" or "His Beloved"), Sig rune, Totenkopf symbol, Armanen runes, Hagal rune, swastika, double runes |
| Return Policy | If an SS member was dismissed or retired, the ring had to be returned |
| Halt in Production | In October 1944, Himmler ordered that further manufacture and awards of the ring were to be stopped |
| Number Produced | Approximately 14,500 |
| Number Returned | 64% by January 1945 |
| Number Lost on Battlefield | 10% |
| Number Kept by Holders | 26% |
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What You'll Learn
- The SS ring was designed by Austrian occultist, Karl Maria Wiligut
- The ring was made from 90% silver, cast in two halves
- Engravings included the recipient's name, date of presentation, and Himmler's signature
- The ring's symbolism reflects Germanic mysticism, including Totenkopf and Armanen runes
- There were many official and unofficial SS rings, with over 40 designs
The SS ring was designed by Austrian occultist, Karl Maria Wiligut
The SS ring, also known as the SS-Ehrenring, was designed by Austrian occultist and SS-Brigadeführer, Karl Maria Wiligut. Wiligut was born in Vienna on December 10, 1866, into a Catholic military family. He showed an interest in the Völkisch movement from an early age and joined the Schlaraffia, a quasi-masonic lodge, in 1889. He published his first book, Seyfrieds Runen, in 1903, which was a collection of poems and stories. Wiligut was also involved in the Irminism movement and claimed to be the heir to this ancient tradition.
Wiligut made a name for himself in occult circles in Germany, which eventually caught the attention of Heinrich Himmler, the head of the SS. In September 1933, Wiligut was inducted into the SS under the pseudonym "Karl Maria Weisthor" and was tasked with heading a department for pre- and early history within the SS Race and Settlement Main Office (RuSHA). He was promoted several times within the SS and, in 1935, was transferred to Berlin to serve on Himmler's personal staff.
The SS-Ehrenring was a highly sought-after award, personally bestowed by Himmler to SS members of distinction. It could not be bought or sold, and counterfeit replicas were produced. The ring featured a swastika framed by a square, representing the power of the Aryan race. It also included Totenkopf symbols, Armanen runes, and Wiligut's variation of the Gibor rune, plus a bind rune for "o" (Os) and "t" (Tyr), which spelled "Gott", the German word for "God". The ring was manufactured by the Otto and Karolina Gahr Family Jewelry from Munich and was made of 90% silver, with the recipient's name, date of presentation, and a facsimile of Himmler's signature engraved on the inside.
In addition to designing the SS ring, Wiligut contributed significantly to the development of Wewelsburg Castle as the ceremonial center of SS pseudo-religious practice. He envisioned Wewelsburg as an allegorical "center of the world". However, in 1938, Wiligut's earlier involuntary commitment to a mental institution was discovered, leading to his retirement from the SS in 1939.
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The ring was made from 90% silver, cast in two halves
The SS-Ehrenring, also known as the Waffen-SS ring, was indeed an official ring for members of the SS. The ring was designed by Austrian occultist and SS-Brigadeführer, Karl Maria Wiligut, and manufactured by the Otto and Karolina Gahr Family Jewelry from Munich. The rings were made from 90% silver, cast in two halves, with the recipient's name inscribed inside, along with the date of presentation, and a facsimile of Heinrich Himmler's signature, followed by the abbreviations "S Lb." for "Seinem Lieben" or "His Beloved". The two halves of the ring resulted in a joining mark on the inside of the band, behind the skull.
The design of the ring included various symbolic elements that held significance for the SS. On either side of the skull was a Sig rune, framed by a triangle, representing the power of the sun and conquering energy. Above the skull was a Hagal rune, a pseudo-rune associated with the idea of a "priest-king," framed by a hexagon, symbolising the faith and camaraderie idealised by the organisation's leaders. The swastika, another influential symbol for the SS, was also included, standing on its vertex and framed by a square.
The SS-Ehrenring underwent design changes over time, with the rings from the 1930s being thinner and featuring a different skull design compared to the thicker rings of the 1940s. If an SS member left the service or passed away, their ring had to be returned. In 1938, Himmler ordered that the rings of deceased SS members be stored in a chest at Wewelsburg Castle as a memorial to their ongoing membership in the SS order. By January 1945, approximately 64% of the 14,500 rings made had been returned, with the remaining rings either lost, kept by their holders, or of unknown whereabouts.
Today, there are many modern replicas and fakes of the SS-Ehrenring, and authenticating original rings can be challenging. The presence of specific details, such as the engraving of Himmler's signature, the awardee's name, and the date of the award, can be crucial in determining the authenticity of these rings. Despite their historical significance, it is important to approach these rings with caution and avoid glorifying the ideologies they were associated with.
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Engravings included the recipient's name, date of presentation, and Himmler's signature
The SS-Ehrenring, also known as the SS Totenkopf Ring, was an official ring of the Waffen-SS, a division of the Schutzstaffel (SS) of Nazi Germany. The ring was designed by Austrian occultist and SS-Brigadeführer, Karl Maria Wiligut, and manufactured by the Otto and Karolina Gahr Family Jewelry from Munich. The rings were made of 90% silver and cast in two halves, with specific engravings on the inside of the band.
Indeed, the engravings included the recipient's name, the date of presentation, and a facsimile of Heinrich Himmler's signature, along with the abbreviations "S Lb." for "Seinem Lieben" or "His Beloved." The Sig rune, representing the power of the sun and conquering energy, was placed on both sides of the skull, which was framed by a triangle. Additionally, a Hagal rune, representing faith and camaraderie, was included, framed by a hexagon. These runes were not historical but rather creations of the SS designers, reflecting Himmler's interest in Germanic mysticism.
The rings were manufactured in two major types, with the 1930s version being thinner and the 1940s version having a thicker band and a modified skull design. If an SS member was dismissed or retired, their ring had to be returned. In 1938, Himmler ordered that the rings of deceased SS members be returned and stored in a chest at Wewelsburg Castle as a memorial. However, by October 1944, he halted further production and awards of the ring. The remaining rings were blast-sealed inside a hill near Wewelsburg, with approximately 64% of the 14,500 rings made being returned after the deaths of their owners.
Today, there are many modern fakes of these rings, and authentic originals are hard to come by. The original rings hold a dark history, serving as a reminder of the atrocities committed by the Waffen-SS during World War II.
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The ring's symbolism reflects Germanic mysticism, including Totenkopf and Armanen runes
The SS-Ehrenring, also known as the Totenkopfring or "Death's Head ring", was an award given to SS members of distinction. The ring was designed by Austrian occultist and SS-Brigadeführer, Karl Maria Wiligut, and manufactured by the Otto and Karolina Gahr Family Jewelry from Munich. The ring's symbolism reflects Germanic mysticism, including Totenkopf and Armanen runes.
The Totenkopfring was a highly sought-after award and could not be bought or sold. Each ring was personalised with the recipient's name, the award date, and the signature of Heinrich Himmler, who led the SS from 1929 to 1945. The ring also featured a variety of mystical and symbolic engravings, including runes and Totenkopf symbols.
The Totenkopf, or "death's head", is a symbol that was widely used by the SS and other Nazi organisations. It is a skull and crossbones motif that represents death and mortality. The Totenkopfring featured a skull at its centre, framed by a triangle, which represents the power of the sun and conquering energy.
The Armanen runes featured on the ring were created by Guido von List and were based on historical runic alphabets. List's work was influential in the völkisch movement, which promoted Germanic folklore and language, as well as pseudo-historical, mystical, racial, and anti-Semitic views. The runes were adopted by the SS as symbols of various aspects of Nazi ideology and Germanic mysticism. They also represented virtues that were seen as desirable in SS members.
The double runes on the rear of the ring, a variation of the Gibor rune, were created by Wiligut and were intended to be Heilszeichen, or "signs of salvation". A Hagal rune, framed by a hexagon, represents faith and camaraderie, with an esoteric meaning suggesting control over the universe. The ring is also wreathed with oak leaves, a symbol of strength and resilience.
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There were many official and unofficial SS rings, with over 40 designs
The SS-Ehrenring was an official ring of the SS, the paramilitary organisation under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. Designed by Austrian occultist and SS-Brigadeführer, Karl Maria Wiligut, the rings were manufactured by the Otto and Karolina Gahr Family Jewelry from Munich. The rings were made of 90% silver and cast in two halves, with the recipient's name, the date of presentation, and a facsimile of Himmler's signature on the inside. The SS-Ehrenring featured various symbols, including the Totenkopf (skull), Sig runes, and Armanen runes, reflecting Himmler's interest in Germanic mysticism and the SS's association with occultism.
Over 40 designs of official and unofficial SS rings existed during the Third Reich period. These rings were worn by German military and political personnel and often featured powerful symbols of Nazi ideology, such as the swastika and runes. The SS Totenkopf Ring, for example, was an SS wedding ring. The specific design details of the various SS ring designs are not extensively described in the sources provided, but they likely varied in terms of symbolism, materials, and decorative features.
The original rings of the Waffen-SS, the armed wing of the SS, are also mentioned, but specific details about their design are scarce. It is worth noting that modern reproductions and fakes of these historical rings exist, and authenticating original specimens can be challenging.
The SS rings carried symbolic meanings that aligned with Nazi ideology and Germanic mysticism. For instance, the Sig rune on the SS-Ehrenring represented the power of the sun and conquering energy, while the Hagal rune symbolised faith and camaraderie idealised by the organisation's leaders. The letter abbreviation "S. Lb." or Sienem Liben roughly translated to "His Beloved" or "Loved by Him," suggesting the wearer's devotion to Germany or the SS.
The history of the SS rings and their disposal is also of interest. In 1938, Himmler ordered that the rings of deceased SS members be returned and stored in a chest at Wewelsburg Castle as a memorial. By January 1945, 64% of the 14,500 rings made had been returned, with some lost or kept by their holders. In October 1944, Himmler halted the manufacture and awarding of the rings, and the remaining rings were sealed inside a hill near Wewelsburg.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there were no official wedding rings for members of the Waffen-SS. However, there were official SS rings, often referred to as SS-Ehrenringe, which were awarded to SS members.
The rings were made of 90% silver and cast in two halves, with the recipient's name, the date of presentation, and a facsimile of Heinrich Himmler's signature on the inside. The outside of the ring featured the Totenkopf (death's head) symbol, Armanen runes, a Sig rune on either side of the skull, and a Hagal rune.
The SS ring was designed by Austrian occultist and SS-Brigadeführer, Karl Maria Wiligut, and was imbued with symbolism reflecting Himmler's interest in Germanic mysticism and occultism. The ring was meant to symbolise the ongoing membership of the wearer in the SS order, even after death.
