Trigger Warning: This story examines some of the history of the swastika, discussing its meaning both before and after the atrocities of World War II. The article contains references to Nazis, antisemitism, and hate crimes, and the article contains an image of the Nazi swastika.
The Nazi symbol is considered one of the most hated symbols of the 20th and 21st centuries, dating back to the 1930s, when Adolf Hitler coined it as the symbol for his antisemitic Nazi regime. However, what many people may not know is that the symbol wasn’t always the symbol of hate. It dates back centuries to early Hindus who made it represent their auspicious and devoted beliefs. The erasure of this significant history behind the sign still bleeds into the modern world.
Though the two symbols look somewhat identical, there are key differences between them. The Nazi symbol is rotated 45 degrees and lacks the dots that the Hindu symbol has. In some depictions, the Hindu symbol’s “lines” are more fluid, while the Nazi symbol is always depicted rigidly. According to Kalpana Sunder with BBC News, “When Adolf Hitler was looking for a symbol for his newly launched party, he used the hakenkreuz, rotating the swastika to the right and omitting the four dots.” Hitler directly ripped off Hinduism’s symbol to facilitate his own agenda. By simply removing the “dots” and balance, he erased the deep-rooted representation of the cycle and balance of life, and the four gods/vedas(sacred texts), and much more symbolism.
The Hindu swastika originates from a rich history and culture dating back thousands of years, way before Hitler’s birth. The word itself is derived from the holy language, Sanskrit, meaning “that which makes all well.” Many other religions, such as Buddhism, Jainism, and Zoroastrianism, or regions like South Asia and the American Southwest have adopted the symbol, changing it to fit their beliefs; however, none resemble the meaning or the look of the Nazi symbol. The Hindu swastika “is found engraved on sacred objects of worship as well as on doorways of temples, homes, and businesses,” as well as “to celebrate weddings, consecrate new homes, and embark on new ventures,” according to the research collected from a joint partnership with the Hindu American Foundation, American Jewish Committee, and Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington.
Before Hitler’s terror, “nobody would’ve looked twice at a swastika dangling from the chain of someone’s pocket watch,” wrote Mitchell Willetts for the Kansas City Star. The symbol had actually become widely accepted into daily life. Artifacts from the 1920s show the swastika being used for Coca-Cola’s promotion, Carlsberg beer bottles packaging, girls and boys scout magazines/badges, and even used in WWI on RAF planes. An even closer reference can be seen on LVA’s very own Main, constructed in 1930 (pre-WWII), which showcases the swastika on its doorway.
Evidently, all of this ceased in the 1930s when Hitler rose to power. According to the BBC, Adolf Hitler had “noticed similarities between their own language and Sanskrit,” and “concluded that Indians and Germans must have had a shared ancestry and imagined a race of white god-like warriors they called Aryans.” Immediately, the symbol shifted from the holiness of one religion to the persecution of another, manipulated by a third party pushing its own corrupted agenda.
Despite the prolonged history, followers of these religions have been ostracized and shamed due to the ignorance of others mistaking the two. There have been cases of vandalism on numerous temples and even schools, with the common message being “Get Out” directed towards Hindus. Many countries have taken action, like Germany, by banning the swastika, excluding those used for religion, art, and education. Still, the horrific events continue.
Society must proceed with caution. Currently, there is no foreseeable future where the symbol is entirely reclaimed and brought back to its original symbolism, and for good reason. The horrific events targeted towards followers of the Jewish religion scarred multiple generations, even to this day. “I don’t think the answer is just to delete it[…] But I do think in the United States and other countries in the West, there is sensitivity that’s needed,” wrote Sakshi Venkatraman for NBC.
The process requires patience, equality, and understanding. In Venkatraman’s article, Nikhil Mandalaparthy recalls a 6th-grade field trip where little kids were associating swastikas in a Hindu temple with Nazis, and how he explained the difference to the little kids.
Going forward, educating the future generation will aid in reducing the blatant ignorance faced by many today. This dilemma includes two marginalized religions, and it’s a matter of making sure both sides are being heard equally.
