Cross - Swastika

Has there ever been a more diversely used symbol than this?

It is a religious symbol, also used in a secular context.
Today it is perhaps best recognised as the 1930's emblem of Adolf Hitler's extreme-right Nationalsozialistische deutsche Arbeiter-Partei1, commonly known as Nazi. During the Second World War the Swastika was often derisively called the Bent Cross or Crooked Cross.More than enough has already been written about the swastika's use by the Nazis and we have no interest in writing much more; except to say that it is often confused by the Suavastika (or Sauvastika). The difference is the direction of rotation, for that is what this cross represents. It is a spinning or rotating cross, with the angled ends appearing like the sparks one sees from a spinning fire-cracker. (In heraldry this would be classed a Cross Gurgity; from the Latin gurges, meaning 'spiral' or 'whirlpool'.)

Yes, the swastika was a symbol of the Nazis, but its history goes much further back. The emblem had been in use for thousands of years before Hitler decided it was a cute little symbol he could use to terrorise the world, especially Gypsies and Jews. It seems ironic that it was used by the Jews long before Hitler was born.

Secular groups include the Red Swastika Society, founded in China in 1922 on similar philanthropic principles to the Red Cross, with a large dose of Buddhism. Not restricted to China, the charity has conducted relief work in Japan and the former Soviet Union. Today the Society has branches in mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.

Much earlier, it was used by the Ashanti in Africa, far removed from the Adolf's 'master' white race. The symbols are found in remains from the European Bronze Age, especially at Hissarlik (Troy). It has been found in ancient Jewish synagogues, used by the Basques, French, Greeks, Swiss and Irish, the Tlingit of Alaska and the Cuna in Panama.

It is found in China, Tibet, Japan, ancient Persia, Pakistan, and in India, where both Jains and Buddhists still use it as a religious symbol.

The Mexicans, Aztecs and Indian tribes of Central and South America have used it (for example the Kuna; the indigenous people of Panama and Colombia), as have the Navajo and the Hopi tribes of the north.

Ornamental
A related symbol is the Triskele and as with all symbols, any adoration or abhorrence is because of what the swastika represents rather than the mere ornamental arrangement of a few lines. In the west, the sign still enrages people, as England's Prince Harry found out. Nobody knows for certain why he wore it - a curious choice for a former British Army commander who is third in the line of succession to the throne - just as nobody knows for certain why Hitler adopted it.

Some people might wear the symbol as decoration, in the form of a tattoo or lapel pin badge. Their intentions are probably as varied as the number of people who wear them, but might include the desire to look tough, as a superstitious charm or amulet against evil, or as a 'good luck' charm.

But in religion, its meanings are quite clear:


Resignation, the Wheel Of The Law and also a Heart Seal symbol stamped on Buddha's heart. Monks often have this symbol placed on their chest when they die.

The Suavastika Cross, also known as a Buddhist Cross, is frequently seen on temple gates and entrances, and used as a general-purpose identifier on maps and so on.

In Japan, the symbol is called Manji. There are several websites about Buddhism in Japan, but sadly most are in Japanese. However, we've been alerted to a very clear and well-informed site called www.japanese-buddhism.com, which includes more about the swastika in Japan.

During World War II, Japan was an ally of Hitler but Japan never used the symbol in the same way. It is a Buddhist symbol and if there was any religious fervour behind the Japanese military power, it was Shintoism rather than Buddhism. See www.japanese-buddhism.com/swastika.html

•Hindus

Hindus use both the swastika and the suavastika to represent night, magic, and the destructive goddess Kali. It also represents Brahma. The swastika represents Nirvritti, introspection and the involution of the universe, and the bliss, delight and peace of Nirvana. It is also a symbol of good fortune and blessing (Sanskrit: su = auspicious, astika = to be). The suavastika represents Paravritti - the expansion of the universe (Sanskrit: para = beyond, vritti = vortex).

•Pagans

In Scandinavia, it was the symbol of the hammer of the god Thor. In Latvia and Lithuania, the name of this cross is Pērkonkrusts, which means 'Cross of Thunder', Pērkon being their equivalent of Thor.

Project Runeberg(http://runeberg.org/pieni/1/0599.html ) shows this also to be a symbol in Finland, where the Finnish the symbol is Hakaristi and based on an ancient mythological sea god named Tursas. The swastika shape is central to the symbol representing the heart of Tursas and called Tursaansydän.

•Christians

As a pre-Christian, Roman pagan symbol, it represented the four classical elements, four directions, and the recycling of life and death. By extension this meant life, regeneration, resurrection and everlasting life. The symbol appeared on Roman coins and also on tombs. Early Christians carved it on their tombs as a symbol of everlasting life. It wasn't until the 4th century, when Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire, that Christians started to use the Latin Cross as a tomb sign for everlasting life. Today, fylfots are sometimes seen as decoration in medieval church architecture such as stained-glass windows.

•Masons

The Mystic Cross founded by Fohi 3,000 years ago, the first King of China, who some say is the same person as Noah. But as with the origin of many ancient symbols, textual evidence is sparse and scholars must conjecture what they can from the surviving artefacts.

•Occultists

A sacred symbol. One theory goes that Karl Haushofer, the university professor of Rudolf Hess, was an occultist and introduced the symbol to Hitler.

•Falun Gong

The Wheel of the Dharma.

•Esoteric philosophers

A mystical and ancient symbol. (See Kabbalah Cross)

•Raelians

The Raelians are a group that thrives on controversy and is a relatively new user of the symbol

Argumental
In some countries (such as Germany and Austria), the symbol is illegal because of its links to fascism. In other countries (such as China), current users (Falun Gong) are themselves illegal. The symbol means love or hate, life or death (or both), suspicion and benign acceptance, black magic and God.

via: http://www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/swastika.html#sup07