Swastika as a cultural symbol [614065]

“Swastika” as a cultural symbol

In this project, we will analyze the symbol of "Swastika" in the context of German
culture, as well as regarding the impact that this element had in world culture.
In contemporary society, where information travels more freely than ever the cultural loan
represents an extremely current practice. No culture, no symbol is too insignificant to be emptied
of content and used in a foreign context ​ . ​ But there are historical situations where a symbol is
emptied of content and modified So much to its original meanings that in the collective mentality
it completely loses its true value. Swastika is a symbol, an image that is irrevocably associated
with the atrocities of the Holocaust. However, its origins demonstrate that its meanings are much
richer, it becomes virtually an essential element of humanity.
After seventy years after its fall, the Nazi regime continues to exercise a particular
fascination to me and also to a generation that has known the disasters of that period only from
films, articles or books. ​ The reason I approached this topic came from the desire for information
on this subject, and also to show the importance that the Nazy symbol has in global culture.
Today we react quite harshly to the sight of this symbol, but we should ask ourselves why
it has come to associate with Nazism and intolerance, and especially what it signifies before the
adoption by the German Fascism.
The presence of the crucial form extends over thousands or even millions of years. From
the origin of the human adventure, especially during prehistory, the Cross, mainly that consisting
of four equal branches, later named Greek Cross, right cross or single cross, is one of the
fundamental symbols. From the historical period, all cultures and civilizations from the ​ Eastern
and Western world ​ , not forgetting the American culture, know and use the cross, integrating it
into their culture.

Significance

The meaning and importance of the swastika vary according to the cultures and eras. It
may be a preeminent religious symbol or sign as in Hinduism and Buddhism. Different
assumptions have been made to explain the universality of the swastika.

According to Merriam-Webster Dicionary, swastika is defined as “a symbol or ornament
in the form of a Greek cross with the ends of the arms extended at right angles all in the same
rotary direction”
The word svastica originated in Sanskrit, “Suastika”, meaning any beneficial or lucky
object, and in particular a sign made on objects and people to indicate luck. It consists of
Su-(related to ευ-from Greek), which means "good". The suffix-ka forms a diminutive, and the
Svastika may be translated effectively by "small object associated with being well or bringer of
luck".
His significance today in the Western sphere is strictly related to his meaning in history.
Svastica became the typical image of racial hatred and intolerance due to its adoption by the Nazi
in 1920.

Origin of Swastika

The Swastika was a symbol used by one of Earth's most hated men, a symbol of the
slaughter of millions of people and one of the most destructive wars on Earth. But Adolf Hitler
was not the first to use this symbol. In fact, it has been used as a powerful symbol many years
before it, in many cultures ​ .
In point of W. Norman Brown
Symbol of Swastika in the global culture

For Hindus and Buddhists in India and other Asian countries, the swastika was an
important symbol for thousands of years and, to this day, the symbol can still be seen in
abundance – on temples, buzzards, cabs and on the cover of books. It has also been used in
ancient Greece and can be found in the remnants of the ancient city of Troy, which exists 4000
years ago. The ancient Druids and Celts also used the symbol, reflected in many objects that were
discovered. It was used by the northern tribes and even the first Christians used the swastika as
one of their symbols, including the Teutonic Knights, a medieval German Military order, which
became a purely religious Catholic order.

In the Buddhist religion Swastica is present on the Buddhist books, on the chest of some
statues of Budha, and sometimes printed even on the legs of the statues. In China, Swastica is the
mark of the number ten thousand, which represents the totality of beings and manifestations.
Swastica also appears on the collars of the Chinese children's blouses to protect them from evil
spirits.
In the UK, the writer Rudyard Kipling (1865-1936), who was strong influenced by Indian culture,
he used a swastika as his personal emblem on the covers of many editions of his books, along
with the elephant, signifying his affinity towards India. With the rise of Nazism, Kipling ceased
to use the swastika.

Swastika as a Nazy symbol

Anti-Semitic fascists from all countries have adopted the swastika, symbol of their race.
Although the Fascism is energetically nationalistic, it finds in Swastika the key to an
internationalism that must respond to Jewish internationalism, since the committed fight cannot
be won otherwise.
Swastika “symbolizing hatred of the Jewand in that sign the new German Government,
with Hitler at its head” (swastika-the nazy symnbol, p.9)
The swastika is and will remain the rallying symbol of the white race, in its global effort
to extricate itself of the economic and political domination of the Jews.