KKK Logo

The abbreviation “KKK” typically refers to the Ku Klux Klan, an American white supremacist group structured as a secret society. To be more precise, we can talk about at least three independent groups that have existed in non-overlapping time periods and shared far-right ideology: First Klan (1865-1872), Second Klan (1915-1944, 3-6 million members), Third Klan (1946/1950-present, 5-8 thousand members).

Meaning and History

The roots of the KKK can be traced back to late 1865. After the Civil War, the Ku Klux Klan began spreading throughout the country, and just 15 years later, it was already present in almost every state in the South. It fought against Reconstruction and equality for Black Americans using brutally violent methods.

What is KKK?
Often cited as America’s first terrorist group, the Ku Klux Klan emerged in 1865. It’s a Protestant-led Christian extremist, far-right group advocating such ideas as white nationalism and anti-immigration.

1865 – Today

Being an underground hate group, the KKK hasn’t had an official emblem. Yet, there are several visual signals which the group members have used extensively:

• the Triangular Klan Symbol has a complex structure featuring a triangle inside another triangle. The shapes are formed by three “K” glyphs facing inward, and thus stand for the organization’s name.
• the Blood Drop Cross, also known as the Mystic Insignia of a Klansman. This is a white cross inside a red circle with a black outline. Inside, there’s what appears to be a comma. However, in the context of a hate group, this seemingly harmless emblem is interpreted as a blood drop and becomes a symbol of violence. Blood Drop Cross started to be utilized in the early 1900s. Originally, the central element looked like a red and white yin-yang symbol, and it was only years later that the white part disappeared and the “blood drop” explanation was introduced.
• the Burning Cross. After the KKK began burning crosses as a way to intimidate Black Americans and those who supported them, this practice became associated almost exclusively with the Klan and other racist organizations.

We can also point out that today, some of the Ku Klux Klan factions tap into Nazi symbolism and borrow the style and emblems from white power skinheads.

Font and Color

The red here represents the color of blood and apparently symbolizes radical violence. As such, it’s part of the intimidating message the KKK sends to the world. Black and white can be seen as just something that the design needed to balance the red. But they can also be interpreted as the symbol of secrecy (black) and a reference to the white robes the Klan members would often wear.