From the far north to the far right: white masculinity and the myth of Hyperborea

Although ancient in origin the Greek myth of Hyperborea has enjoyed a surprising afterlife in the circulation of 'esoteric fascist' ideas and images in online culture. By taking Hyperborea as its focus this article broadly explores the attractions of overtly mythical ideas for far-right gender politics. It maintains that the myth of Hyperborea reflects and arguably (re)produces far-right dreams of a regenerated white masculinity in a materialist and secular modern world routinely described as decadent, feminizing, and meaningless, specifically by gesturing towards a primordial 'home' in the ancient far north. This argument will be supported by 1) a compact overview of the Hyperborean myth and its gendered connections to 'esoteric fascism', 2) a conceptual interlude discussing the relevance and challenge that such mythmaking may pose for masculinity studies, 3) a brief sketch of the narrative structure of Hyperborean Internet memes, and 4) an overview of the three main ways that questions about Hyperborea's ontological status – as myth, reality, or spirit – functions on the far right.