The swastika - Where it REALLY comes from

[Govind]

Alright, this is something that's been on my nerves for a while. You probably all know that the Nationalist Socialist Party of Germany (Nazis) used this as their symbol/logo. Did they just randomly think of this themselves? Hell no!

The equilateral cross with bent arms is actually a symbol of old Dharmic religions (namely Hinduism and Buddhism). Funnily enough, in Sanskrit (an old Indian language that nobody speaks anymore), it's pronounced svastika. Looks like Hitler wasn't that creative when it came to choosing names, eh?

Being half-Hindu (from my mother's side) myself, it's understandable that I'm going to be pretty pissed off that the symbol is being bashed as a representation of evil.

Don't believe any of this? Then read here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika

Is my anger justified? You tell me.

 

[Josh0is0here]

I think your justified to be angry

 

[Shredderbeam]

I feel that it is. Most people hear "swastika" and think "Hitler!", when its history goes far beyond the 20th century.

 

[WoW Sucks]

So that means i can have it in my avatar?

EDIT: I want the floor of my house to be liks this when im older:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Amiens-pavement-swastika.jpg

 

[Gone Fishing]

That's really interesting. Hitler is a leecher -.-
@Wow sucks - Lol.

 

[Govind]

So that means i can have it in my avatar?

Not my call.

 

[Pimpinballa]

The swastika (from Sanskrit svástika स्वास्तिक ) is an equilateral cross with its arms bent at right angles, in either right-facing (&#21328 or left-facing (&#21325 forms. The term is derived from Sanskrit svasti, meaning well-being. The Thai greeting sawasdee is from the same root, carrying the same implication.

It is a widely-used symbol in Dharmic religions (Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism). Hindus often decorate the swastika with a dot in each quadrant. In India, it is common enough to be a part of several Devanagari fonts. It is also a symbol in the modern unicode. It is often imprinted on religious texts, marriage invitations, decorations etc. It is used to mark religious flags in Jainism and to mark Buddhist temples in Asia.

Archaeological evidence of swastika shaped ornaments goes back to the Neolithic period. In 1920 the swastika was appropriated as a Nazi symbol, and has since then become a controversial motif as a consequence. In the Western world, it is this usage as a symbol of Nazism that is most familiar, and this political association has largely eclipsed its historical status in the East.

This article is from wikipedia.

DON'T ban the Swastika. We're not European! Were Canadian! Don't ban it in Canada!

I can call my self Hindu too. I am Sikh tho.

 

[X D D X]

Yes, I'd say it is a Hindu symbol.. Lots of people use it in india in drawings and things.

 

[Nathan III]

Hitler was a prick, end of. He coulden't think of anything...
HECK, he got his Tash idea from Charlie Chaplin! Don't belive me? Watch one of Charlie Chaplins movies!

 

[tase me now]

man u guys need to listen in class more.
i learned that stuff back in 6th grade. lol.

 

[Govind]

man u guys need to listen in class more.
i learned that stuff back in 6th grade. lol.

I've known it since I was a little kid.

I just don't expect people to, and judging by this thread, my expectations weren't too low.

 

[dpunk]

I think that you have the right to be angry, although I don't think I would be.

 

[ellsworthz]

Thankz for enlighting me on this topic that greatly conserns you SMR.

 

[Govind]

I think that you have the right to be angry, although I don't think I would be.

Why wouldn't you be? I mean, I understand that you don't follow any religion but say you did and something that's supposed to represent your beliefs is considered an emblem of evil/hatred. Wouldn't that piss you off?

 

[chad1]

yes you are justified, hitler is a n33b at life..lol

 

[Osmosis]

Anger is warranted, however, the fact that Sanskrit is a past language somewhat dulls the impact of the brand "evil" that is placed on the symbol. It would be somewhat of a different affair if say, Al Qaeda started to use the "&" symbol as their logo.

 

[Govind]

Well the language that the name "svastika" was dubbed in was Sanskrit, which, yes, nobody really speaks anymore.

But the religions that the symbol represents (Hinduism/Buddhism) are still widely practiced. You'll find that if you ever take a trip to India or other Hindu-populated countries that the shape is on quite a few temples that are still used today.

 

[tase me now]

Well the language that the name "svastika" was dubbed in was Sanskrit, which, yes, nobody really speaks anymore.

But the religions that the symbol represents (Hinduism/Buddhism) are still widely practiced. You'll find that if you ever take a trip to India or other Hindu-populated countries that the shape is on quite a few temples that are still used today.

my dad speaks sanskrit. and we're tibetan!

 

[Govind]

Oh. My bad. Lol. But the fact remains that the symbol is still a Hindu symbol that the Nazis unfortunately chose as their emblem.

 

[Osmosis]

Hmmm Symbolic double meaning...how fruity!

Perhaps greater public awareness is in order?

Although, because the world of today is very "western centered", the swastika will undoubtedly all ways be remembered as a symbol of death and cultural upheaval, as the populous of the world are transfixed upon the present, and like to forget the past.