I have long harboured a curiosity for the study of symbology, and throughout my design career, I have extensively researched symbols across various cultures, from the African Adinkra symbology to Celtic, Nordic, and Egyptian. As we celebrate various festivities in India during this time of year, I felt compelled to explore the swastika—a symbol that is ubiquitous both now and is commonly observed throughout the country, prominently displayed at various holy sites and otherwise to invoke prosperity and well-being.
The term "swastika" originates from the Sanskrit root "swasti," which combines "su," meaning "good" or "well," with "asti," meaning "is" or "there is." The word "swasti" appears frequently in the Vedas and classical literature, signifying "health, luck, success, and prosperity. It is an ancient symbol long regarded as a mark of auspiciousness and good fortune in almost every culture in the world. While the swastika holds great significance in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist traditions, its origins extend beyond India. Ironically, evidence suggests that the symbol is more closely associated with European roots.
The oldest identifications of the swastika.
While debates continue among archaeologists about the precise historical origins of the swastika, there is a strong consensus that it is indeed an ancient symbol. Evidence indicates that it dates back to the Palaeolithic era, particularly from excavations at the Mezin settlement near the Russian border. There, an intricate meander pattern of interconnected swastikas was found engraved on the torso of an ivory figurine depicting a female bird, representing the oldest known swastika design in existence, with radiocarbon dating placing it at an astonishing 15,000 years old. The significance of the swastika extends beyond this finding.
The curiosity of German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann to uncover the site of Troy resulted in the discovery of over 1,800 ancient samples of swastika symbols and their variants while excavating the Hisarlik mound near the Aegean Sea. This finding would significantly alter the perception of this icon in the years to come. It also appears in early Christian and Byzantine art and in Scandinavia, where the left-handed swastika is recognised as a symbol of Thor's hammer. Additionally, it is also known that the Ancient Greeks adorned their pots and vases with single swastika motifs. Researches show that the symbol remained a popular embroidery motif in Eastern Europe and Russia right up to World War II. This symbol has also been seen adorning the temples and holy places in China and Japan. Upon extensive exploration of nearly every culture across the globe, it is undeniable that this graphical image can be observed in diverse corners of the world.
Interpretations of its significance in Indian symbolism.
The swastika is profoundly established as a symbol of divinity and spirituality within Indian religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. Its origins can be traced to Hinduism in India as far back as 5,000 years ago. It finds mentioned in the Rig Veda, one of the oldest known scriptures in Hindu mythology. Over the centuries, it has continued to be a significant aspect of our cultural and religious heritage. In Hindu mythology, a clear distinction is made between the right-hand swastika, which rotates clockwise, and the left-hand variant known as the sauvastika, which rotates counterclockwise. The right-hand swastika is viewed as a solar symbol, reflecting the sun's daily path through the rotation of its arms. In contrast, the left-facing swastika (卍), or sauvastika, symbolises the night and is associated with Kali, the goddess of death and destruction.
Further interpretations indicate that the right-facing swastika represents the evolution of the universe, while the left-facing variant signifies its involution. In Jainism, the auspicious essence of the symbol signifies the four realms in which the soul can be reborn within the cycle of life: heaven, hell, humanity, and nature (as flora or fauna). In Buddhism, it embodies the concept of eternal cycling, a theme central to the doctrine of samsara.
An inspiration to modern graphic design.
While Swastika’s religious connotations and representations are profound, Steven Heller, the US graphic design author of the book in his book, ‘The Swastika: Symbol
Beyond Redemption?’ talks about the commercial uses of this graphic image and how it has influenced Western advertising and even product design. In 1925, Coca-Cola made a lucky watch fob in the shape of a swastika with right-facing arms and the slogan, "Drink Coca-Cola five cents in bottles. In the late 1930s, a Californian FMCG company adopted the swastika as their brand name and incorporated the left-facing swastika on its packaging design. The Girls' Club of America also named their magazine "Swastika," and they distributed swastika badges as prizes to young readers who sold copies. Furthermore, American military units also used the swastika during World War One and it could be seen on RAF planes as late as 1939.
The Swastika's Paradox: From Sacred Symbol to Nazi Emblem of Fear.
When Heinrich Schliemann, the German archaeologist, discovered swastika-like decorations on pottery fragments across various archaeological layers at Troy, his findings were interpreted as evidence of racial continuity, implying that the site's inhabitants had been Aryan throughout history. Although Schliemann did not explicitly link the swastika to the Aryan race, his work was later appropriated to support the Aryan race hypothesis, reinterpreting the symbol as one of Aryan superiority.
This reinterpretation in the 19th century facilitated the projection of nationalist sentiments onto a universal symbol, effectively serving as a delineating boundary between non-Aryan, or non-German, and German identities. As the swastika became increasingly associated with German nationalism, Adolf Hitler recognised its potent symbolism and adopted the hooked cross or Hakenkreuz as the Nazi party emblem in 1920. Consequently, the long-established association of the swastika as a symbol of auspiciousness transformed into one of fear, terror, death, and turmoil.
The swastika emerged as the most recognisable symbol of Nazi propaganda, prominently featured on the flags as well as on election posters, armbands, medallions, and badges for military and various organisations. While it was designed to instil pride among Aryans, the swastika simultaneously instilled fear in Jews and others perceived as enemies of Nazi Germany. With the fall of the Nazi regime in 1954, their symbols and propaganda were abolished, and successively the German governments have maintained the ban on Nazi symbols and propaganda, including the swastika. Today, in Germany and other European countries, the public display of Nazi symbols, including online, is prohibited by law, and individuals who violate these regulations are subject to criminal prosecution.
What is particularly striking is that a single symbol possesses the capacity to unite a community, whether positively or negatively. It is fascinating to recognise that when power is attributed to a specific icon, mark, or symbol, it can evoke shared sentiments among those who collectively embrace it. Despite its deeply troubling associations from World War II, the swastika remains revered in divine rituals and ceremonies and is held in high spiritual and religious esteem in India and other regions around the world today.
May the Swastika bestow abundance and profound well-being on you. Happy Diwali to all.
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