A necklace for sale on singer Shakira's website resembles the Black Sun symbol used by the SS. The emblem is still popular amongst neo-Nazis.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/J. Hrusa
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Colombian superstar singer Shakira may want to check her online shop for some fascist fare. As pointed out by media outlet Bento on Tuesday, a necklace she has for sale for her El Dorado tour bears not just a striking resemblance, but is identical to a symbol used by the Nazis.
The small gold necklace reads "Shakira El Dorado World Tour" surrounding a sun pattern. That pattern is the same as the Black Sun, or Schwarze Sonne in German, which is still used today in some neo-Nazi occult circles.
The necklace in question is pictured on Shakira's tour merchandise websiteImage: shakira.fanfire.com
Inspired by ancient occult symbols, the Black Sun was incorporated into a mosaic on the floor of Wewelsburg Castle, the ideological home base of Heinrich Himmler and the SS. It was likely adopted by Nazis as significant because of its alleged relationship to ancient Germanic runes and sagas — and perhaps even the round table of Britain's legendary King Arthur.
Visitors at a neo-Nazi concert in the German state of Thuringia in 2017 wore the Black Sun symbolImage: Imago/Michael Trammer
Although it is almost certainly an accident, it seems that whoever made the design for Shakira's promotional necklace didn't do much research. Nazi symbols are banned in Germany and, according to Bento, the Black Sun is on the list of far-right symbols to watch out for in at least two German states.
Shakira keeps shaking at 40
Colombian pop star Shakira is inspired by her Arab roots and her hip-shaking moves and unique vocals have smashed sales records in both Spanish and English. Now 40, the singer is also an education activist.
Image: WEF/Jakob Polacsek
Colombia's superstar
Born in Barranguilla, Colombia on February 2, 1977, the youngest of eight kids, Shakira is one of the bestselling Latin artists of all time. She released her first album at 14, but her breakthrough came in 1996 with her third disc, "Pies Diescalzos" (Barefoot), establishing her mix of Latin, rock and Arab styles. In 1997 she moved to Miami to find fame in the US, helped by producer Emilio Estefan.
Image: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
A link between North and South America
Shakira won her first Grammy Award for best Latin pop album in 2000 before she released her first English-language album, "Laundry Service," in 2001 after just a few years in the US. The album shot to number three in the charts. She claimed her second Grammy, for best Latin rock/alternative album, in 2006 and picked up an MTV Latin America Award for best song ("Hips Don't Lie") the same year.
Image: Getty Images/S. Gries
The whole package
"Hips Don't Lie" from the 2006 Grammy-winning "Oral Fixation" album became one of Shakira's biggest hits. Standing just 157 cm tall (5'1"), Shakira draws on her Colombian, Spanish, Italian and Lebanese roots in her dancing, as well as her musical style. In 2009, she released the album/single "She Wolf," which got her an MTV Europe Music Award nomination. She's pictured here at that ceremony.
Image: Getty Images
Shakira's soccer spotlight
Think back to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and two words will come to mind: "Waka Waka." Shakira's single became the tournament's theme song, a celebration of Africa that spread fun, hip-shaking vibes around the world. The video to the song has since been viewed over one billion times on YouTube. Also in 2010, Shakira released her first fragrance: S by Shakira.
Image: picture-alliance/dpa/G.C.v. der Laage
The ex
For nearly a decade, Antonio de la Rua, son of the former Argentine president, was the man in Shakira's life. They even got enganged in 2001, but split in 2010. The breakup reportedly was quite messy, with De la Rua suing Shakira for $250 million, claiming he had managed her career and was losing out on compensation. The claims were dismissed. The couple is pictured here in Las Vegas in 2007.
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Partner and kids
Shakira has been in a relationship with Spanish soccer player Gerard Piqué since 2010. Rumors of their relationship started percolating during the World Cup, though they didn't confirm it until February 2011. The native of Barcelona, who turns 30 the same day the singer turns 40, also plays for Barcelona. In 2013, they had their first son, Milan. Their second son, Sasha, was born two years later.
Image: picture alliance/epa/A. Dalmau
Among the stars
As if two Grammys and countless international prizes weren't enough, Shakira received the icing on the cake in November 2011. He name is now engraved on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood. The star maintains a home in the US (Miami), but also has residences in the Bahamas, her birthtown of Barranquilla, Colombia, and Barcelona, Spain.
Image: Getty Images/AFP/F.-J. Brown
Barefoot foundation
Known for performing barefoot, Shakira named her charity the "Pies Diescalzos Foundation" - the barefoot foundation. The organization aims to help provide education to children in her native Colombia. She is pictured here in 2011 at the cornerstone laying ceremony for a school in Cartagena de Indias, Colombia. Something of a child prodigy herself, Shakira wrote her first song at age eight.
Image: Getty Images/Afp
The face of 'The Voice'
NBC's popular singing competition TV show "The Voice" recruited Shakira for its jury during season four in 2013. With her quick-witted humor and ever-so-slight Colombian accent, she thrilled fans and held her own alongside fellow jury members R&B artist Usher, Adam Levine of Maroon 5 and country star Blake Shelton. Shakira took a break from season five, but returned to "The Voice" for season six.
Shakira is pictured here during a February 2016 photo session for the animated movie "Zootopia," in which she performed the voice of the character Gazelle in both the English and Spanish versions. She also performed the song "Try Everything" in the popular film, which won a Golden Globe for best animated feature film.
Image: picture alliance/ZUMA Press/A. Gallo
Shakira in Davos - UNICEF Global ambassador
Shakira is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Just recently in January 2017, she visited the World Economic Forum in Davos to campaign for education. She tweeted: "With Gordon Brown discussing the next steps to secure new major financing for Education." There she was also presented with the Schwab Foundation's Crystal Award, which goes to artists who are committed to improving the world.
