Beginning in 1933, German writer Otto Rahn published a series of books tying the Grail, Templars, and Cathars to modern German nationalist mythology. According to Rahn, the Grail was a symbol of a pure Germanic religion repressed by Christianity. Rahn's books inspired interest in the Grail within Nazi occultist circles, and led to the SS chief Heinrich Himmler's abortive sponsorship of Rahn's search for the Grail, as well as many subsequent conspiracy theories and fictional works about the Nazis searching for the Grail.Wood 2012, p. 76–77.
beginning in 1933 german writer otto rahn published a series of books tying the grail templars and cathars to modern german nationalist mythology according to rahn the grail was a symbol of a pure germanic religion repressed by christianity rahn's books inspired interest in the grail within nazi occultist circles and led to the ss chief heinrich himmler's abortive sponsorship of rahn's search for the grail as well as many subsequent conspiracy theories and fictional works about the nazis searching for the grailwood 2012 p 76–77