The Swastika brought peace, until Hitler ruined it…

When you hear the word Swastika, what is the first thing your mind jumps to? Hitler. This is the most common thought process of our generation. Many people are not aware of the true meanings and ancient history that the Swastika symbol withholds. . . In this article I tell you the story of the Swastika, and how it went from a sign of unity to the complete opposite of a symbol representing racial hatred.

The swastika, coming from the Sanskrit svastika, resembles “good fortune” or “well-being”. The symbol surfaced culture in Eurasia 7000 years ago, and still remains a sacred symbol in religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Odinism. Early Western travelers were inspired by the symbol's value in Asia and the positivity it brought. By the 20th century the swastika became a large fad as a good luck symbol in the US. As a result, the sign was enthusiastically adopted in graphic design and advertising product design. Large corporations like Coca Cola and Boys’ and Girls’ Scouts were part of the trend as well. Additionally, American military units used it during World War One. It all came to a sudden halt when the Nazis rose to power in the 1930s.

After finding the swastika Hitler was convinced that this would rally masses towards his xenophobic case. He held the black swastika on a flag with a white circle and red background, and tore down the humanity of Germany. Hitler stole credit for the design and said, “In red we see the social idea of the movement, in white the nationalistic idea, in the swastika the mission of the struggle for the victory of the Aryan man.” This flag was very much present at the time and shook people to their cores, scaring them and costing people lives.

The swastika’s depiction comes with the way it is painted. The Swastika is a symbol that people fear, a symbol that makes a person feel threatened or at risk. At the same time, certain cultures refuse to see its evil, and look for the peace and value it brings. Therefore, it is still existent in a positive manner. While its most renowned uses are involved in the cruelest and of most terrible actions, it is interesting that we understand its history. In places where the pre-Nazi swastikas exist, we must contextualize their presence, to avoid the terror it may envoke. Overall, the use of the swastika took a 360, from being a symbol of positivity and serenity to a sign of hatred in its purest form.