Sunday, November 9, 2008

Different meaning of the symbol 'Swastika'

A word has no any individual meaning on it, when people use it for their different purposes then the words change it’s connotation. For example, the sign ‘Ok’



is use for something measure to right in west but its have a vary bad connotaion in our country. This is how the way a symbol can change its connotative meaning.
The symbol ‘Swastika’
has also used for over 3,000 years in different region with different conotaion. Eastern countries are used this symbol with a positive purspective (from the religious view) but in west it used in a different way.



For Buddhists and Hindus, the swastika is a very religious symbol that is commonly used. These conflicting meanings are causing problems in today's society. The swastika has also different name in different country like-
Ø China – wan
Ø England - fylfot
Ø Germany - Hakenkreuz
Ø Greece - tetraskelion and gammadion
Ø India – swastika etc.


The word "swastika" comes from the Sanskrit svastika - "su" meaning "good," "asti" meaning "to be," and "ka" as a suffix. But its a indian concept of using the word swastika but if we look into west thinking then the meaning will change because of its uses.



West has also used the swastika in many for many good reason throughout the past 3,000 years to represent life, sun, power, strength, and good luck. Even in the early twentieth century, the swastika was still a symbol with positive connotations.

For instance, the swastika was a common decoration that often adorned cigarette cases, postcards, coins, and buildings. During World War I, the swastika could even be found on the shoulder patches of the American 45th Division and on the Finnish air force until after World War II.


But when Nazis used this symbol for Nazis' national flag, the swastika soon became a symbol of hate, antisemitism, violence, death, and murder.

Source:

http://images.google.com.bd/imgres?imgurl=http://www.nsm88.org/merchandise/patches/patch-swastika.jpg
http://www.white-history.com/hwr5d_files/hitswas.jpeg
http://history1900s.about.com/cs/swastika/a/swastikahistory.htm

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Excellent example of another sign which has completely opposite connotations in the west and east.

However, I wish you had written more about the swastika in your own words.

Thank you for citing your references.

Anonymous said...

The part about the swastika being used as crossed S-letters for "socialism" under the national socialist german workers party is fascinating. That is from the work of the historian Dr. Rex Curry.