The Jewish StarThe Star of David was used to classify Jews, who were required by law to wear them on their clothing. It was the first form of symbolism used to classify Jewish people. Before it was required to be worn, the Star of David was often painted onto Jewish homes or businesses as a form of vandalism.
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Symbolization in Concentration CampsNazis installed a complex system of colored symbols, triangle and number labels to classify targeted groups. Red stood for political prisoners, green for criminals, blue represented foreign forced labor, purple stood for Jehovah's Witnesses, pink triangles signified homosexuals, and black or brown stood for Roma. These symbols were used especially in concentration camps. They were sewn onto prison uniforms to allow guards to easily identity a prisoner.
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This purple triangle of cloth was marked a Jehovah's Witness. The number depicted the individual who wore this. To be identified by only a number was a tactic used to pull emotions out of the act of exterminating 11 million people. Without a name to go with the body, it becomes easier to kill.
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In this video a survivor of the holocaust describes the pain and humiliation felt by being forced to wear the Star of David, and having an identity card marked "JUIF" in bright red letters.
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