Essay on the Swastika

 One of the most widespread and oldest symbols of complexity in humanity is the swastika. Its name is derived from a word in Sanskrit and it refers to the object of wellbeing. It originated in the Middle East almost 6,000 years ago and spread over parts of Asia and Europe by the primitive Christian era. Konard Heiden, early biographer of Hitler, describes that when Hitler displayed the black swastika for the first time in Germany, its effect was tremendous and inflammatory to such extent that even Hitler was surprised. As a mysterious sign, it seemed to exhibit uncanny power. Due to its association with Nazism, swastika is recognised as a symbol of brutality and barbarity in nations that were affected the most by WWII.

            However, in spite of this menacing aspect, swastika represents good luck. Its magical aura and its quality apparently have roots in the ancient civilisations of Iran and Mesopotamia. Meanwhile, in India, where swastika is used widely in Hindu decorative and ceremonial motif, it combines religious and astronomical symbolism. Actually, this combination provides best clue and indication to its original meaning, as a consistent religious tradition can be traced to religious practices of Indus Valley from modern Hinduism.

            The trail of swastika begins with its earliest occurrences in central Mesopotamia and western Iran, where it appeared on pottery. The swastika was seemingly depicted on pottery about 3000 B.C. from Troy in Asia Minor and after some time, it appeared on the seals designed in Harappan civilisation. Additionally, by the initial Christian era, swastika was established well from Asia into Europe. It is important to note that this zone of diffusion tends to coincide with the area that is settled and habituated by Indo-European language speakers. A later diffusion of swastika seemingly occurred in eastern and central Asia. The swastika was adopted by Buddhism from Hinduism and as it spread into Japan, China, and Tibet, swastika travelled with Buddhism, retaining its meaning and implication of good luck.

            Over the years, several theories have been proposed by scholars for the symbolic representation, meaning, and implications of swastika, that it represents the moon, sun, yearly Ursa Major rotation, eternity, Hindu deities, fire, Baal, Zeus, cardinal points, water, and fertility. Ranging from far-fetched to reasonable, these theories tend to rely on the closeness of swastika in different contexts to symbols of understood and recognised meaning, or on the natural functioning of mind. It is important to note that such interpretations are not convincing due to the lack of clear association between swastika and its symbolic meaning. For instance, the circular sun is not apparent in swastika, which is clearly angular.

            It would not be wrong to say that the swastika is capable of standing for complex ideas and it can carry intense emotional resonance with it. As explained above, most Europeans and Americas observing it experience dread or anger as it was used by Hitler. In different religious systems, swastika is represented as a religious symbol. In most cultures, it represents good luck while in some contexts, reverse swastika seems to represent misfortune and darkness.

            Overall, it is important to note that the primitive or initial meaning of swastika is good luck and fortune. However, over the years, and traveling to different areas of the world, it has found different meanings. Some associate the symbol with deities while some associate it with natural forces such as fire and water. Moreover, for some people, it represents brutality. It means that despite the actual meaning and representation of swastika, it can imply different meanings, according to the view of the person observing it and in the context it is perceived (Freed & Freed, 1980).

References of Swastika

Freed, S. A., & Freed, R. S. (1980). Origin of the Swastika. Ceremonies in India Have Shed New Light on an Ancient Symbol. Natural History New York, 89(1), 68-75.