HISTORY OF SWASTIK

HISTORY OF SWASTIKA

The swastika (卐 or卍) is a religious symbol that has positive implications such as good luck, life, and wealth across Asia, Europe, and Africa. During World War II, it was also known for being a symbol of Nazism, Aryan superiority, and anti-Semitism. Archaeological artefacts discovered all around the world confirm the presence of the swastika, which was first mentioned in ancient Indian religious scriptures millennia ago. Many countries throughout the world have outlawed the use of swastika due to its tainted and contentious meaning. However, people and religions all across the world continue to use the emblem, typically in a good way.

 The origins of Swastika

 The genuine swastika symbol (as a hooked cross) was first used on a bird figure discovered in Ukraine some 15,000 years ago. It has since become one of the most widely recognised symbols in human history. The swastika has been discovered by archaeologists and historians on a variety of artefacts such as pottery, jewellery, weaponry, and artwork, as well as in archaeological ruins, historical structures, temples, and churches all over the world. The swastika symbol was used throughout the Neolithic period, the Indus Valley Civilization in the Indian subcontinent, the Bronze Age in China, ancient Greek civilization, Byzantine era, early Christian period of Ethiopia, Iron Age in Eurasia, and the Migration Period, Viking and Gothic ages in Europe, under various names.

It has also taken on other connotations in different civilizations, including the sun, the North Pole, and even a comet. The swastika sign first appeared in written form in the ancient Indian holy scripture, the Vedas, and has since been adopted by various East-Asian languages, including Chinese and Japanese, through script and characters in their writing systems.

Meaning of Swastika

Swastika is derived from the Sanskrit word 'swastik,' which is made up of the words 'su,' which means 'good, well,' 'asti,' which means 'to be,' and 'ka,' which means 'well-being.' Swastika is frequently cited in the Vedas, ancient Indian sacred books, as a symbol of prosperity, success, and good fortune.

The swastika has several connotations in Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Christianity, Greek and Roman mythology, and other religions. The sun deity 'Surya' is represented by the clockwise swastika (a swastika with its arms facing outward, clockwise) in Hinduism; it portrays the sun's passage through the sky - from east to west. The 'sauvastika,' its anti-clockwise sign, conjures up images of the darkness and Tantric ceremonies linked with the fearsome goddess 'Kali.' The swastika is a Buddhist symbol representing wealth, spirituality, and good fortune. It is a sign for one of Jainism's spiritual masters, the 'Suparshvanatha.' It portrays Christ's triumph over death in Christianity as a hooked form of the Cross.

The swastika was considered a holy sign of the sun by the Phoenicians. The swastika is a sign of the lightning bolt that portrays the Norse god 'Thor,' Roman god 'Jupiter,' and Greek god 'Zeus' in ancient European faiths. The swastika emblem was also employed by several Native American tribes to represent 'good luck.'

The swastika regained popularity as Europeans became more interested in Eastern faiths and philosophy. The finding of swastika symbols on ancient artefacts discovered in Troy fueled the curiosity of certain Nazi organizations in Germany. In 1920, a modified form of the swastika was selected as the Nazi Party's symbol. Unfortunately, this irreversibly transformed the meaning of the swastika, since it symbolizes the tyranny and killing of millions of Jews during World War II, and it quickly became a symbol of hatred around the world. The Nazi party, however, was not the first in Germany to utilise the swastika as a party symbol. Many nationalist organizations in Germany began using it after World War I because it was associated with the concept of a "pure race."

Significance of Swastika in Nazi Rule 

The discovery of swastika-emblazoned artefacts in Troy by German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann, as well as similarities between Indian-Sanskrit and German languages, led many German nationalists to believe in a link between the two cultures, most likely an ancient dominant race known as the 'Aryans.' The swastika quickly became a symbol of German national pride, and in 1920, the Nazi party adopted an angled variant of the swastika as its official insignia (known as the 'Hakenkreuz' or 'hooked cross').The Nazi party emblem was designed by Adolf Hitler himself, utilising the swastika and popular German colors (red, black, and white) to symbolize the country's superior heritage. The modified swastika became the Nazi party's logo when it was rotated 45 degrees clockwise with the hooks pointing outward and set on a white circle against a red backdrop. It was seen on armbands, uniforms, election posters, flags, and badges. Under Nazi dictatorship in Germany, it was also widely employed by all military and government groups. Hitler even had his own version of the swastika created for him.

By 1933, most items in Germany carried the Nazi party's swastika mark because of fear or reverence - from cigarettes to coffee to cake pans! Soon after, a legislation was implemented in Germany prohibiting the commercial use of the swastika. With a racial twist, the rule prohibited Jews from using the swastika sign, displaying national colors, or raising the new German flag. The discovery of swastikas at the Troy archaeological site prompted the Nazis to conclude that Aryans were superior to other races, particularly Jews. This was followed by the introduction of the racially harsh Nuremberg Race Laws in 1935.As a smack in the face to the Nazi party, Allied forces pilots frequently commemorated their triumphs over Germany with a swastika on the fuselage of their planes throughout the war.

Ban after world war 2

 Whereas the swastika had been used to represent a positive value since time immemorial, its mistaken and distorted use by the Nazi party led to its tragic descent as a symbol of racism, White supremacy, and the Holocaust following WWII. Following Germany's defeat at the hands of Allied troops in 1945, the swastika became one of the most despised symbols of all time; its usage was prohibited in postwar Germany, and all propaganda including the swastika was destroyed. Most European countries, including Germany and Austria, have implemented legislation outlawing the use of swastika in any form or medium.

Because of their free speech rules, other Western nations, such as the United States, were able to establish significantly less draconian legislation prohibiting the use of swastika and other neo-Nazi symbols. Following that, every reference to the swastika in any form by any body, individual, or company was thoroughly examined and fined. In Germany, two such examples were the clothing company Espirit Holdings and the publishing firm Reichsbahn.

What does Swastika mean now?

Despite the Western world's hatred and contempt, the swastika remains a revered symbol in many religions, including Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism. It is still frequently used as a good luck sign in homes, temples, and small enterprises throughout India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia, particularly for auspicious occasions like as marriages and births. Various variants of the swastika have also found a home in modern-day spiritual organisations in India, China, and Eurasia.

As late as 2013, some Scandinavians attempted to promote awareness of the swastika as an old Norse mythical emblem with no bad meaning or fascist connotation in order to reinvigorate a positive interest in their ancient history.

In sharp contrast to Nazi images, these modern perspectives produce tremendous uncertainty in today's culture. And, for many who have witnessed the horrors of the Holocaust, the swastika still represents evil.

Does the direction of Swastika matter?

What the swastika represents to each individual is completely subjective. A swastika is often an upright cross with the margins of its equal-length arms twisted at a straight angle clockwise. However, according to certain scholars and historians, the orientation of the swastika may give the sign a good or bad meaning. In Hinduism, a clockwise 'swastika' represents good luck and wealth, but a counter-clockwise 'swastika' represents night, horror, and Tantric magic. Many other civilizations have assigned comparable connotations to the swastika's orientation. A left-facing swastika, however, is regarded sacred in both the ancient Bon religion and Buddhism.

In the last century, what the swastika originally symbolized – well-being, good luck, and wealth – has been extensively misunderstood, distorted, and utilised to deceive people. An old Russian-Polish form of the swastika was noticed on one of the perpetrator's dog tags in Christchurch, New Zealand, as recently as March 2019. With the passage of time and a little education, the swastika's honor and reputation may be restored to once again represent life, good luck, and prosperity.