Rodło

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A Polish flag with the Rodło symbol

A 1982 Polish postage stamp issued to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Union of Poles in Germany showing its first two presidents, Stanisław Sierakowski and Bolesław Domański, flanking a Rodło.

The Rodło is a symbol of Poland, used by the Union of Poles in Germany from 1932 to the present. It is a stylised representation of the Vistula river along with Kraków as the source of Polish culture. As the Polish national symbol, the White Eagle, was banned in Prussia, the Rodło was intended as a new symbol that Poles in Germany could rally around. The name "Rodło" is a portmanteau of rodzina (homeland) and godło (symbol).

The Rodło was created by the graphic designer Janina Kłopocka, who made a rough sketch of "the emblem of the Vistula river, cradle of the Polish people, and royal Kraków — the cradle of Polish culture". The white emblem was placed on a red background, the colors of the Polish nation. It was adopted in August 1932 by the leadership of the Union of Poles.

The symbol was inspired by the Nazi swastika, to which it was intended as a patriotic challenge. It has since been used by a number of Polish organizations, notably the Scouts, who used it alongside the fleur de lys.

The People's Republic of Poland issued a Rodło Medal beginning in 1985. After the end of communism, it was withdrawn in 1992.