The swastika is probably considered one of the oldest symbols in history. In fact, it has been used for over 3,000 years now. Moreover, this symbol was also used by the Nazis to murder over hundreds and millions of people during the Holocaust. With this in mind, would you believe us if we tell you that the swastika represent a positive meaning? Did this symbol suddenly start representing evil when the Nazis used them? What is s the true history of the swastika?
Introduction: Where did the swastika come from?
The swastika is an ancient symbol found in various artifacts, such as pottery and coins. Some experts would even claim that the swastika was a commonly used symbol all the way back to 1,000 BCE.
Moreover, since this symbol was used for thousands of years, it was indeed utilized by many cultures around the world before it was greatly associated with the Nazis. India, Japan, China, and some European countries were those who have used the symbol of the swastika – but under a different name.
China would refer to the symbol of the swastika as ” Wan.” For England, it was “Fylfot.” Germany would call it “Hakenkreuz.” For Greece, it was “Tetraskelion and Gammadion.” India, on the other hand, retained the term swastika.
The Meaning of the Symbol
Before this symbol graced the Nazi flags, it was actually used by various cultures around the world. Oftentimes, it would be to represent the sun, good luck, strength, and power. The word swastika comes from the Sanskrit svastika “Su,” which means “good,” “Asti” meaning “to be,” and “ka” as a suffix.
In the early 20th century, the swastika represents positive connotations. Moreover, people would use this symbol as a means to decorate various things. Some of these objects would include cigarette cases, postcards, coins, and even buildings.
So, when did the symbol’s meaning start to change?
In 1920, Adolf Hitler designed the Nazi flag. He used the symbol of the swastika, alongside the three colors of the German Imperial, which are white, black, and red. Soon enough, there was a Nazi appropriation of the swastika on their Nazi flags.
At the time, there were European linguists whose works were claimed by racist groups. As a result, they had made claims that the swastika represents the Aryan identity, as well as German national pride. This association to the Aryan cultural descent was actually the reason as to why the Nazi Party had fully adopted the swastika – or the Hakenkreuz, which means “hooked cross” in German – as the symbol of their party.
After World War I
Even after the first World War, there have been far-right nationalist movements who also adopted the symbol. Soon enough, everyone was talking about how the swastika represents the race that is in its “pure state.”
After World War II
Both the Finnish air force, as well as the American 45th Division, had started wearing the swastika symbol on their shoulder patches. It began in the first World War until after World War II.
If you are a collector of war memorabilia such as Nazi flags, visit the website of the Gettysburg Museum of History to view our collection and learn more about interesting facts, figures, and icons of history.
