Shakira Criticized For Selling Nazi Black Sun Necklace As Tour Merch

Shakira is under fire for selling a necklace bearing the Nazi Schwarze Sonne or Black Sun for her ongoing El Dorado World Tour.

Fans found the controversial emblem on the diva's official tour shop where it was being sold for $9.95. As of this writing, the item is no longer available or visible from the page.

According to the New York Daily News, the Schwarze Sonne was installed in the Wewelsburg Castle in Germany. While the property was built way back in 1603, it became a Nazi base in the 1930s when Heinrich Himmler and the Third Reich rose to power.

The Black Sun was also installed in World War II military bunkers in Hamburg where Himmler and the SS set up shop. The emblem is still heavily used by neo-Nazi groups.

In addition, the sun-wheel is also associated with alchemy and paganism.

Shakira Pulls Nazi Symbol From Merch Shop

This week, screenshots of the item made rounds on social media which sparked outrage from some users.

Fans, however, immediately came to her defense. They pointed out that Shakira has never once shown that she is a racist or a Nazi.

Some argued that the 41-year-old probably had no idea that the Black Sun was used as an emblem by Nazi Germany. They also said that she probably did not choose the design of the merchandise and, therefore, do not deserve the outrage.

The singer has not responded to the criticism for her unfortunate tour merch design.

Shakira kicked off her 2018 El Dorado world tour at the Barclay Card Arena in Hamburg, Germany on June 3. The Colombian star will next perform in Spain on June 30, Saturday.

Shakira Speaks About Canceling Tour For Vocal Problems

The El Dorado series of concerts is Shakira's first tour in seven years. However, as fans would remember, the former The Voice coach was initially scheduled to kick off the series of concerts in fall last year. In November, she had to postpone the tour after suffering from strained vocal chords.

In a statement to fans, she explained that she has been ordered by her doctor to rest to avoid any further damage to her powerful voice.

"Last year was one of the most difficult times of my entire life," the Grammy-winning performer said to BBC in an interview in Amsterdam this month. "Being back on stage has been so emotional."

She further divulged that she actually was diagnosed with a vascular lesion and her doctors taught that she might have to go into surgery to correct it. At the time, Shakira said that she was worried that she might never be able to sing again but, luckily, she recovered. Taking time off of performing live allowed her vocal chords to completely return to normal naturally.

"I remember praying. I had forgotten to pray for a while, but when you go through hardship you suddenly recover your faith," she added. "I was promising God if I could ever use my voice again, I would celebrate every night — and that's what I'm doing."

Shakira recently released "Clandestino," a collaboration with Maluma. Stream the track below.

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