The noose is a symbol with a long and complex history, both as an instrument of execution and a tool of oppression. Although it has become a symbol of fear and racism throughout the years, the noose has it roots in ancient civilizations and still has modern applications today. In ancient societies, the noose was used as a method of public execution, often the sentence for criminals, convicts, and victims of wars and battles. The knot of the noose symbolized eternity, as it was always knotted and could never be undone. For example, the ancient Chinese used nooses to execute criminals, such as prisoners of war, as did the ancient Egyptians, who also used nooses to execute those who displeased the Pharaoh. Over time, the noose as a symbol has been used not just for execution but for oppression. In the United States, it became a symbol of racism, especially in the American South. The use of nooses as a way to intimidate and target African-Americans was so pervasive that the US Congress passed an Anti-Lynching law in 2018 which made it a federal crime to use a noose as a way to threaten or intimidate another person. Today, the noose’s symbolism has become more complex, with it becoming a symbol of resistance, protest, and justice in some circles. It is being used to make a statement about oppression, racism, and the criminal justice system. While the meaning still carries a certain amount of fear, it is becoming a more nuanced symbol with a multitude of meanings.