The swastika is an ancient sign, that dates back over 3000 years, but it now has a much deeper meaning.
The word "swastika" comes from the Sanskrit svastika - "su" meaning "good," "asti" meaning "to be," and "ka" as a suffix.
Until the more recent, negative meaning fell apon the swastika, it meant life, sun, power, and good luck.
The Swastika was still used in a positive manner right up until the early 20th century. The Swastika was found on coins, postcards and buildings, it was even found on the shoulder patches of the American 45th Division, and on the Finnish Air Force until after world war II.
What happened to the peaceful meaning of the Swastika?
In 1920, Adolf Hitler decided that the Nazi Party needed its own flag and insignia, his words were, "The flag needs to be symbol of our own struggle", and also, "It needs to be as effective as a poster."
On August 7th, 1920, at the Salzburg Congress, the flag had become an official representation of thr Nazi Party, and from then on, the meaning of the swastika, life, sun, power and good luck had morphed into death and hate, because the Nazi's gave it a new meaning.
The Nazi's were very effective at using the swastika, so effective that many do not know the true meaning of the sign.
Does the fact that the Swastika's meaning has changed mean that we still can't use it for good?
Unfortunately, it sort of does, because most people now-a-days don't realize that it was ever a positive symbol. If someone was to have the symbol on their shirt, most people would automatically assume that they were a Nazi, or that they were promoting death and hate, not life and good luck. Even though we should still use the original meaning of the swastika, not many people do, and not many people understand that there was even a positive meaning to the Swastika.
Thanks so much for reading, I hope you now have a better understanding of the swastika.
qt4ever90
Peace out.
