The Iron Cross (black)

The Iron Cross (German: Eisernes Kreuz) was a military decoration in the Kingdom of Prussia, and later in the German Empire (1871–1918) and Germany during World War II (1933–1945). The design was derived from the insignia of the medieval Teutonic Order and borne by its knights from the 13th century. As well as being a military medal, it has also been used as an emblem by the Prussian Army, the Imperial German Army, and the Reichswehr of the Weimar Republic, while the Balkenkreuz (bar cross) variant was used by the Wehrmacht. The Iron Cross is now the emblem of the Bundeswehr, the modern German armed forces. It is known also as the Bolnisi Cross and gave rise to cross variants like the heraldic Cross of Malta of the Maltese Knights used during the Crusades and the cross used by the German military as a symbol of bravery. Nowadays the Bolnisi Cross was adopted by motorcycle clubs and from biker subculture it spread to rock and heavy metal subcultures.