Black triangle (badge)

For other uses, see Black triangle (disambiguation).

The inverted black triangle (German: schwarzer Winkel) was an identification badge used in Nazi concentration camps to mark prisoners designated asozial  [de] ("a(nti-)social")^[1][2] and arbeitsscheu ("work-shy"). The Roma and Sinti people were considered asocial and tagged with the black triangle.^[1][3] The designation also included disabled individuals, alcoholics, beggars, homeless people, nomads, and prostitutes (though male sex workers were marked with the pink triangle), as well as violators of laws prohibiting sexual relations between Aryans and Jews.^[1][2] Women also deemed to be anti-social included lesbians and others deemed as nonconformists.^[2][4]

An inverted black triangle, as used in badges.

Usage

The black triangle in the context of the marking system for prisoners in Nazi concentration camps.

Nazi

Main article: Nazi concentration camp badge

The symbol originates from Nazi Germany, where every prisoner had to wear a concentration camp badge on their prison clothes, of which the design and color categorized them according to the reason for their internment. The homeless were included, as were disabled people, alcoholics, those who habitually avoided labor and employment, draft evaders, pacifists, Roma and Sinti people, and others.^[5][6]

Romani

Main article: Romani Holocaust

Romani first wore the black triangle with a Z notation (for Zigeuner, meaning Gypsy)^[tone] to the right of the triangle's point.^[7] Male Romani were later assigned a brown triangle.^{[citation needed]} Female Romani were still deemed asocials as they were stereotyped as petty criminals (prostitutes, kidnappers and fortune tellers).^{[citation needed]}

Disabled people

See also: Aktion T4

The Nazis marked disabled concentration camp inmates with a black triangle. Some United Kingdom-based groups concerned with the rights of disabled people have adopted the symbol in their campaigns,^[8][9] citing press coverage and government policies - including changes to disability benefits and Disability Living Allowance, as the reasons for their campaigns.^[10][11] "The Black Triangle List" was created to keep track of welfare-related deaths due to cuts by the Department for Work and Pensions.^[12]

See also

• Antiziganism – Racism against Romani peoplePages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Aktion Arbeitsscheu Reich – Waves of Nazi arrests of people deemed "socially undesirable"
• Anti-homelessness legislation – Laws regarding homelessness
• Discrimination – Prejudicial treatment based on membership in a certain group
• Discrimination against disabled people – Discrimination on grounds of disabilityPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Discrimination against homeless people
• Discrimination against lesbians – Irrational fear of, and aversion to, lesbians
• Identification in Nazi camps – Prisoners' camp identification numbers, cloth emblems, and armbandsPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• LGBTQ symbols – Flags and symbols used by the LGBTQ community
• Persecution of Chinese people in Nazi Germany
• Romani genocide – Genocide against Romani in Europe during World War IIPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
• Nazi concentration camp badge § Single triangles
  • Blue triangle – Cloth emblems; part of the system of identification in Nazi campsPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
  • Brown triangle – Genocide against Romani in Europe during World War IIPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
  • Green triangle – Cloth emblems; part of the system of identification in Nazi campsPages displaying short descriptions of redirect targets
  • P (Nazi symbol) – Sign for Polish workers during the NS-Regime in Nazi Germany
  • Pink triangle – Symbol for the LGBTQIA+ community
  • Red triangle (badge) – Symbol of anti-fascism
  • Yellow badge – Badge forced to be worn by Jews at various times in history