Neo-Nazis, racist skinheads, white supremacists and others in the hate movement use symbols like swastikas, "SS" thunderbolts, runes and group logos to intimidate individuals and communities. Hate symbols are more than just "signs" demonstrating racist, anti-Semitic and anti-Christian attitudes and beliefs -- these symbols are meant to instill a sense of fear and insecurity. One finds hate symbols scrawled on the outside walls of synagogues, churches and schools; depicted on fliers and literature distributed in communities; tattooed on the bodies of white supremacists, or proudly displayed as jewelry or on clothing. These symbols give haters a sense of power and belonging, and a quick way of identifying with others who share their ideology. They offer a visual vocabulary that is used by a variety of extremists including the Ku Klux Klan, the neo-Nazi National Alliance and such Identity groups¹ as Aryan Nations and the Posse Comitatus. 

The ADL database contains  symbols used by neo-Nazis, the Ku Klux Klan, racist skinheads, established hate groups, white supremacists and racist prison gangs.  Not surprisingly, there is some degree of overlap among symbols used by these various groups.