What Does Wearing a Paperclip Mean? Origin & History

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Plus, how to make your own paper clip necklace

Co-authored by Elaine Heredia, BA

Last Updated: March 25, 2026 Fact Checked

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Historical Origins

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Modern Resistance

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How to Wear a Paper Clip

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Video

TikTok is abuzz about the meaning of wearing paper clips on your collar or as a necklace. Believe it or not, this humble office supply item has a rich history as a symbol of resistance against authoritarianism. In this article, we explain the historical origins of the paper clip symbol, its significance in modern protest movements, and how you can wear them, too!

What do paper clips on the collar mean?

Paper clips worn on the collar are symbols of peaceful resistance against authoritarianism. They became a resistance symbol during World War II, and were worn by Norwegian citizens when the Nazis invaded their country. Today, modern protesters wear paper clip necklaces, as well as paper clips on their collars.

Section 1 of 3:

Historical Origins of the Paper Clip Symbol

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Norwegian citizens wore paper clips during WWII to protest the Nazis. In 1940, Germany's Third Reich invaded the Kingdom of Norway as part of their quest to take over Europe. Norway's reigning monarch, King Haakon, fled to England so he wouldn't be turned into a puppet for the Nazis. From England, he used radio broadcasts to encourage his people to resist their invaders non-violently. The Norwegians loyal to Haakon, including some 12,000 teachers, wore paper clips on their collars or as necklaces as a symbol of peaceful resistance.
- Why paper clips? Paper clips symbolize unity and connection because they can hold objects, including other paper clips, together. The Norwegians also likely chose the paper clip as their symbol because it was invented by a man named Johan Vaaler, who was born in Norway.^{[1]
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Section 2 of 3:

Paper Clip Meaning in Modern Resistance

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Modern activists have adopted the paper clip symbol to protest authoritarianism. In the modern political climate in the US, many people are worried that freedom and democracy are at risk. In 2024, after President Donald J. Trump was reelected president of the United States, Ollie and Janice Pedersen founded the Paperclip Resistance. Their goal was to revive the World War II-era symbolism and form of non-violent protest as they stood up against what many believe to be an authoritarian regime in the White House.
- What is authoritarianism? According to Britannica, authoritarianism is "the blind submission to authority and the repression of individual freedom of thought and action."^{[2]
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- Can anyone wear paper clips? Individual activists who aren't affiliated with the Paperclip Resistance can and do wear paper clips as resistance symbols, as well. You can also wear paper clips simply because you like them or because they also symbolize unity.

Section 3 of 3:

How to Wear a Paper Clip as a Symbol of Resistance

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The most popular way for Norwegians to wear paper clips in protest of the Nazis was on the lapels of their coats. This position makes it easy to see, but still subtle—ideal for a quiet protest in support of the values you hold dear.
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Make a paper clip necklace for a more modern take. It's easy to make your own simple paper clip necklace like the kind some Norwegians wore! Simply link several paper clips together in a chain until it's long enough to loop comfortably around your neck. Then, put the chain around your neck and fasten it by connecting the last paper clip on either end together.
- Is fashion political? According to this TikTok by @ashleysofiamusic, paper clip necklaces are proof that fashion can be a legitimate form of political protest.
- Tip: If you want a finer, more permanent version of a paper clip necklace, buy one online or in a jewelry store.