I should think that most of you would have been familiar with the photo of HRH Prince Harry and the whole hoo-haa that ensued. Some time ago, in our very own little island, a similar outcry occurred when a few students decided to name their group after the infamous Hitler. In northern Germany, parents were up in arms when an “innovative” twist to the traditional police-and-thief game became a “Nazi-and-Jew” game with the “Jews” (complete with the Star of David badges), were to try to escape from their “Nazi” captors.

Now, some may be just as outraged with such “Nazi”-inspired acts while others may be inclined to see this as a storm in a teacup. Personally, given the magnitude of destruction that had been caused by Hitler and friends, I’m not surprised by the outrage that such occurrences can and have caused. On the other hand, it’s quite sad to note the effect such negativity has had on things which have been so heavily associated with Nazism, to the point that these things have become just as discriminated against.

An obvious example would be the swastika. For the fun of it, just say the word swastika to someone and note their initial reaction. Most people would immediately respond with “Hitler!” or “Nazi!” Recently, I conducted a mini experiment. I actually drew out a swastika on the class whiteboard. It was not the 45 degree forward facing one that’s associated with Nazism such as the one pictured below.


In fact, it was actually the one pictured below.


Now, there is a distinction to be made here. The Nazi swastika is ALWAYS the tilted one. Any others are not, in any way, associated with Nazism. In spite of that, the uproar that it caused in class was amazing! My dearest History students were flabbergasted that I had actually drawn a swastika and had quickly been shocked to note that their History tutor was possibly a Nazi (I AM NOT!).

While it was amusing, I was also quite disturbed and thus resolved to prove that beyond the tilted one, there is more to the swastika than it being an “evil” symbol.

The swastika in itself, originated eons ago and the word “swastika” is derived from the Sanskrit language. If you want to know what it literally means, feel free to do a google search. Basically, it is meant to be a “good” symbol and was frequently used among many Western countries as a sign of good luck, much like the four-leaved clover. Of course, with the rising power of Nazism, the swastika lost its prominence as a good luck symbol but before that, it was most definitely something which was good.

The following pictures will serve to prove my point further.

The photos below indicate the use of the swastika as a religious symbol.


Oooh, and check out the following picture. For something that has become synonymous with anti-Semitism in post-Hitler years, you wouldn't think you'd find swastikas anywhere close to Jews now, would you?



Now, these two swastikas (according to the sources I got them from) were found in ancient synagogues in Israel!


Now, besides the obvious religious connotation in the non-Western world, you might be interested to see the use of the swastika in the Western world. The picture I had attached as part of the earlier post was actually that of postcards that were widely used in pre-Nazi days in Europe. The following shots are other similar postcards containing the offending symbol. You might notice that they share something in common-all the cards indicate wishing the receiver of the card the best of luck!


Now, I could go on and on...I've got loads of non-Nazi pictures of swastikas but I thought it'd be fun if you can go look for them. Go on, surf around. Just be sure not to bring in any of these following. Perhaps, I'd add in more swastika inspired shots in another entry.



THESE ARE OBVIOUSLY THE HATE-INDUCING ONES THAT WE NEED TO GET RID OF IN ORDER FOR THE SWASTIKA TO REGAIN A BETTER POSITION IN THE WORLD TODAY.