Swastika and India

I have grown up seeing "Swastika" - “an auspicious symbol” as they call, on the doors, shops, entrances, holy books and at most of the places of worship and rituals in India. It is an easy to draw and probably the first design I would have drawn as a child. Remembering that, today I was teaching the same to my son… One big standing line.. one sleeping line.. and… I was unsure…… should I teach him this?… is this still respected in the rest of the world or does it mean fascism in some parts of the world…This is the symbol used by the most hated men in the world war II and represented slaughter and destruction.…..

Nah…. The need is to depart the negative reputation of swastika and revive its ancient glory..

“Swastika” is a Sanskrit word derived from "Swasti" and means symbol of “Swa+Asti” = “wellbeing” / “Good existence” / “Good work / Prosperity”

Swastika is a hindu ritual word and an important symbol and has been in use since early vedic period. The reference is found in various indian scriptures like Rig ved, Atharva Ved, Yajur Ved, Ganesh puran, Lakshmi Tantra etc and is widely used as an auspicious symbol. In Hindu culture most of the rituals start with “Swasti” and end with “Swasti” emphasizing let everything be good.  Even in Jainism and Buddhism, swastika has been used as an important symbol. In Buddhism, the swastika is a symbol of good fortune, prosperity, abundance and eternity. It is directly related to Buddha and can be found carved on statues on the soles of his feet and on his heart.  It is said that it contains Buddha’s mind.

Different Swastika Patterns

Swastika drawn on head in Upanayan ritual

Swastika drawn on books during Lakshmi Pujan

But use of swastika is not limited to Indian or Asian culture. The traces of ancient use of the symbol has been found in Europe. The irony is the oldest monument with Swastika was found in Ukraine and has been radio carbon-dated to 15,000 years ago. It is considered that in the Bronze age the swastika found its way in Eurpoe and was used widely in Europe.

Monument found in Ukrain

In Nordic myths Odin is represented passing through space as a whirling disk or swastika looking down through all the worlds.

In Ancient Greece, Pythagoras used swastika to symbolize the link between heaven and earth with right arm pointing to heaven and left arm pointing to earth.

The most fascinating fact I found was that, by the beginning of 20^th century there was a huge fad for the swastika and it was enthusiastically adopted in the West as an architectural motif, on advertising and product design. (Source: www.bbc.com and The Swastika: Symbol Beyond Redemption).

Swastika used by American Military during World War I 

Coca-cola used Swastika in advertising

What does Swastika denote?

Common beliefs denote that swastika is symbolic to prosperity and anything good. In different cultures / geographies swastika is used differently:

1.       It is considered as a symbol of sun,

2.       It was used as a variation of cross,

3.       A symbol of Bird or Fertility

4.       A Cresent moon

5.       A movement of time

6.       A Galaxy

7.       Link between heaven and earth or

8.       Life of life 

It is important to note that until the symbol was adopted by Hitler, it was a popular one and did not represent any negative sentiment. Maybe it was used by Hitler to counter the feeling of vulnerability and the stigma of youth. Or because it had ancient Aryan/Indian origins, to represent a long Germanic/Aryan history.. Again the symbol used by him was slightly different from the traditional symbol used in India.

As the truth remains:  India has been the only country where the word and the symbol has been used uninterruptedly for years and years and its the Indian culture where the same has been originated.

Let us depart from the negative sentiments around the most powerful symbol of ancient India and celebrate the sign of life and good-luck.

II   Shubham    Bhavatu  II