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The symbol
- The swastika consists of a cross with four arms, which can be right or left-facing (clockwise or counterclockwise).
© Shutterstock
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Prehistory
- The earliest record of a swastika dates back to 10,000 BCE. The symbol was found carved into a bird figurine in Mezine, Ukraine. The swastika can also be found in a prehistoric stone wall in Iran called Lakh Mazar (not pictured). It’s believed to date back 7,000 years.
© Getty Images
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Religious and spiritual symbolism
- The symbolism of the swastika has strong roots, especially in ancient Eastern religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
© Shutterstock
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Religious and spiritual symbolism
- But the symbol is also relevant in the West, where it was used by the Celts, Balto-Slavs, Greco-Romans, and Native Americans, among others. Now, let’s take a look at how the swastika was used throughout the years.
© Getty Images
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It’s key in ancient Indian tradition
- According to Ajay Chaturvedi, author of ‘Lost Wisdom of the Swastika,’ "The swastika is a four-dimensional cube used in Vedic Mathematics, and also symbolises an entire state of being in Indian philosophy–the fourth state of consciousness, which is beyond waking, sleeping and dreaming.”
© Shutterstock
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Hinduism
- The roots of the word come from the Sanskrit su ("good") and asti ("to prevail"), which essentially mean well-being and prosperity.
© Getty Images
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Hinduism
- The swastika is a symbol for the Brahman (the absolute or supreme existence) and has connotations of eternity and motion. The symbol is commonly found in Hindu homes and decoration.
© Getty Images
7 / 30 Fotos
Hinduism
- The swastika is also linked to the four yugas, the four stages of life, and the four Vedas of Hindu scriptures.
© Getty Images
8 / 30 Fotos
Hinduism
- Depending on the Hindu tradition, swastikas can face both sides, and have different meanings. The clockwise version is a symbol for the motion of the sun, whereas the counterclockwise one is sometimes linked to the night.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Buddhism
- The shape of the swastika represents eternal cycling in Buddhist tradition and has been associated with Buddha's footsteps.
© Getty Images
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Buddhism
- It’s not uncommon to find the symbol imprinted on images of the Buddha. The chest, feet, or palms are some of the most common places where the swastika is found.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Jainism
- The swastika is also an important symbol in this ancient Indian religion. The symbol is linked to rebirth, and the cycle of birth and death our souls go through.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Caucasus
- Swastikas predating the Bronze Age have been found in Armenia. This ancient symbol of eternity traveled to the West many years ago.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Germanic Iron Age
- The swastika can be found in numerous artifacts throughout Northern Europe, from the Vikings (example pictured) to the Anglo-Saxons.
© Getty Images
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Northern Europe
- The Celts also used the symbol, and so did many Balto-Slavic and Sami peoples.
© Getty Images
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Southern Europe
- Both the ancient Greeks and Romans used the swastika. This is an example of an ancient Greek artifact with several swastikas.
© Getty Images
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Southern Europe
- And here is an ancient Roman mosaic floor from the necropolis of Altino in Italy.
© Getty Images
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Africa
- The Akan peoples in Ghana used the symbol (gold weights pictured).
© Getty Images
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Africa
- The use of the swastika in Africa extends to Ethiopia. Here is an example at a church in the famed town of Lalibela.
© Shutterstock
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America
- And if you think the swastika didn’t reach the Americas until the Nazis made it popular, think again. The Navajo most notably used the symbol in North America, but so did the Guna people in Panama. The Navajo eventually banned its use in 1940, after the Nazis hijacked it.
© Getty Images
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20th century
- The symbol was adopted by many individuals, companies, and even military forces. It was not until the Nazis hijacked it that it became associated with evil.
© Public Domain
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Carlsberg Elephant Tower
- The tower that served as the original Carlsberg Breweries site can be found in Copenhagen, Denmark. The elephants are known to feature swastikas.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Spain
- In this detail of the Mosque-Cathedral in the south of Spain, it's possible to see the swastika pattern. It was first built as a mosque in 785 CE.
© Shutterstock
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Shoin Shrine
- The Shinto shrine in Hagi, Japan, also features the famous symbol.
© Getty Images
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KiMo Theatre
- Pictured: a detail of traditional Navajo symbols at the famous KiMo Theatre in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
© Shutterstock
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And then the Nazis stole it
- Of course, the Nazi party eventually adopted the swastika, ultimately giving a negative connotation to the symbol. Hitler made use of it in the party's flag, which was found pretty much everywhere.
© Getty Images
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And then the Nazis stole it
- The Nazi version of the swastika, known as hakenkreuz ("hooked cross"), that was found in the party's flag was rotated 45 degrees and placed in a white circle with a red background.
© Getty Images
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Current use
- Unfortunately, the swastika is still used by the far-right, neo-Nazis, and white supremacist groups to this day. This perpetuates its association with hate.
© Getty Images
28 / 30 Fotos
Reclaiming the swastika
- Nevertheless, some believe it's time to claim back the swastika from evil and make it what it once was. Sources: (BBC 1 and 2) (Learn Religions) (Holocaust Encyclopedia) See also: Famous Christian symbols explained
© Getty Images
29 / 30 Fotos
© Getty Images/Shutterstock
0 / 30 Fotos
The symbol
- The swastika consists of a cross with four arms, which can be right or left-facing (clockwise or counterclockwise).
© Shutterstock
1 / 30 Fotos
Prehistory
- The earliest record of a swastika dates back to 10,000 BCE. The symbol was found carved into a bird figurine in Mezine, Ukraine. The swastika can also be found in a prehistoric stone wall in Iran called Lakh Mazar (not pictured). It’s believed to date back 7,000 years.
© Getty Images
2 / 30 Fotos
Religious and spiritual symbolism
- The symbolism of the swastika has strong roots, especially in ancient Eastern religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
© Shutterstock
3 / 30 Fotos
Religious and spiritual symbolism
- But the symbol is also relevant in the West, where it was used by the Celts, Balto-Slavs, Greco-Romans, and Native Americans, among others. Now, let’s take a look at how the swastika was used throughout the years.
© Getty Images
4 / 30 Fotos
It’s key in ancient Indian tradition
- According to Ajay Chaturvedi, author of ‘Lost Wisdom of the Swastika,’ "The swastika is a four-dimensional cube used in Vedic Mathematics, and also symbolises an entire state of being in Indian philosophy–the fourth state of consciousness, which is beyond waking, sleeping and dreaming.”
© Shutterstock
5 / 30 Fotos
Hinduism
- The roots of the word come from the Sanskrit su ("good") and asti ("to prevail"), which essentially mean well-being and prosperity.
© Getty Images
6 / 30 Fotos
Hinduism
- The swastika is a symbol for the Brahman (the absolute or supreme existence) and has connotations of eternity and motion. The symbol is commonly found in Hindu homes and decoration.
© Getty Images
7 / 30 Fotos
Hinduism
- The swastika is also linked to the four yugas, the four stages of life, and the four Vedas of Hindu scriptures.
© Getty Images
8 / 30 Fotos
Hinduism
- Depending on the Hindu tradition, swastikas can face both sides, and have different meanings. The clockwise version is a symbol for the motion of the sun, whereas the counterclockwise one is sometimes linked to the night.
© Shutterstock
9 / 30 Fotos
Buddhism
- The shape of the swastika represents eternal cycling in Buddhist tradition and has been associated with Buddha's footsteps.
© Getty Images
10 / 30 Fotos
Buddhism
- It’s not uncommon to find the symbol imprinted on images of the Buddha. The chest, feet, or palms are some of the most common places where the swastika is found.
© Shutterstock
11 / 30 Fotos
Jainism
- The swastika is also an important symbol in this ancient Indian religion. The symbol is linked to rebirth, and the cycle of birth and death our souls go through.
© Shutterstock
12 / 30 Fotos
Caucasus
- Swastikas predating the Bronze Age have been found in Armenia. This ancient symbol of eternity traveled to the West many years ago.
© Shutterstock
13 / 30 Fotos
Germanic Iron Age
- The swastika can be found in numerous artifacts throughout Northern Europe, from the Vikings (example pictured) to the Anglo-Saxons.
© Getty Images
14 / 30 Fotos
Northern Europe
- The Celts also used the symbol, and so did many Balto-Slavic and Sami peoples.
© Getty Images
15 / 30 Fotos
Southern Europe
- Both the ancient Greeks and Romans used the swastika. This is an example of an ancient Greek artifact with several swastikas.
© Getty Images
16 / 30 Fotos
Southern Europe
- And here is an ancient Roman mosaic floor from the necropolis of Altino in Italy.
© Getty Images
17 / 30 Fotos
Africa
- The Akan peoples in Ghana used the symbol (gold weights pictured).
© Getty Images
18 / 30 Fotos
Africa
- The use of the swastika in Africa extends to Ethiopia. Here is an example at a church in the famed town of Lalibela.
© Shutterstock
19 / 30 Fotos
America
- And if you think the swastika didn’t reach the Americas until the Nazis made it popular, think again. The Navajo most notably used the symbol in North America, but so did the Guna people in Panama. The Navajo eventually banned its use in 1940, after the Nazis hijacked it.
© Getty Images
20 / 30 Fotos
20th century
- The symbol was adopted by many individuals, companies, and even military forces. It was not until the Nazis hijacked it that it became associated with evil.
© Public Domain
21 / 30 Fotos
Carlsberg Elephant Tower
- The tower that served as the original Carlsberg Breweries site can be found in Copenhagen, Denmark. The elephants are known to feature swastikas.
© Shutterstock
22 / 30 Fotos
Mosque-Cathedral of Córdoba, Spain
- In this detail of the Mosque-Cathedral in the south of Spain, it's possible to see the swastika pattern. It was first built as a mosque in 785 CE.
© Shutterstock
23 / 30 Fotos
Shoin Shrine
- The Shinto shrine in Hagi, Japan, also features the famous symbol.
© Getty Images
24 / 30 Fotos
KiMo Theatre
- Pictured: a detail of traditional Navajo symbols at the famous KiMo Theatre in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
© Shutterstock
25 / 30 Fotos
And then the Nazis stole it
- Of course, the Nazi party eventually adopted the swastika, ultimately giving a negative connotation to the symbol. Hitler made use of it in the party's flag, which was found pretty much everywhere.
© Getty Images
26 / 30 Fotos
And then the Nazis stole it
- The Nazi version of the swastika, known as hakenkreuz ("hooked cross"), that was found in the party's flag was rotated 45 degrees and placed in a white circle with a red background.
© Getty Images
27 / 30 Fotos
Current use
- Unfortunately, the swastika is still used by the far-right, neo-Nazis, and white supremacist groups to this day. This perpetuates its association with hate.
© Getty Images
28 / 30 Fotos
Reclaiming the swastika
- Nevertheless, some believe it's time to claim back the swastika from evil and make it what it once was. Sources: (BBC 1 and 2) (Learn Religions) (Holocaust Encyclopedia) See also: Famous Christian symbols explained
© Getty Images
29 / 30 Fotos
The swastika: a symbol of love stolen by the Nazis
The misunderstood history of the swastika
© Getty Images/Shutterstock
The symbol of the swastika is most commonly associated with the Nazis. It has a largely negative connotation that brings back memories of the atrocities committed by Adolf Hitler and his like during World War II. And it is still in use by the far-right, neo-Nazis, and white supremacist groups. But despite its association with hate in the West, the real meaning of the swastika is far from evil.
The swastika is indeed a very ancient and sacred symbol, which has been used for centuries across the world. Though more prevalent in Eastern traditions, such as Hinduism, the swastika spread across the globe, and it had been a very much loved symbol...until the Nazis stole it.
Click through the following gallery and learn more about the misunderstood history of the swastika.
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