Let me begin by saying that I am not a racist, a Neo-Nazi, or skinhead, and we abhor the atrocities of Hitler. I want to educate people about the history and past of the swastika before it was so horribly maligned by those people, and bring it back into use as a positive, solar symbol that brings protection, prosperity, and good luck. Two members of our family, including one of my children, had a negative reaction to the word “swastika” when I told them the title of my article. However, after reading the article they had gained a new understanding of the meaning and history behind the symbol known to Hindus as the swastika.

A few months ago I attended a Hindu religous function in a private home. In this worship service, the one leading the ritual was the eldest woman of the household. She performed arati (offering of lights) before the Deities with an oil lamp on a brass tray which is inscribed with a bright red swastika. The swastika is a familiar sight to all those raised in Hindu culture. It adorns spiritual books, pictures of Deities, and religious implements used in worship services. Swastikas are common on Hindu wedding invitations. In fact a symbol that appears to westerners to be a swastika in the middle of a Jewish star of David has been used for thousands of years as a symbol of the combined blessings of Lord Ganesha (the remover of obstacles) and his brother Karttikeya (the god of love and the remover of negativity). By the way, contrary to anything you might be told, “Swastika” is not and has never been a German word. It is ancient Sanskrit from India which has simply been used so often in this century in connection with Hitler that it’s origins have been totally forgotten.

I am sad that today, in the US, I cannot wear a swastika or display one in public without being labeled a “skinhead” or “neonazi”. In addition to both being devoted Hindus, my husband and I are both of half German descent which also links us to this symbol through our Germanic ancestors and their use of the swastika as a combination of two sowilo runes, the light of the sun, and is the “Hammer of Thor”. I have often expressed a desire to acquire a swastika pendant . While my husband is not opposed to me obtaining it , he worries that I may offend people within the Pagan community (and beyond) of Jewish or other heritage who have not yet learned to separate the symbol from it’s misuse by Hitler and the Nazi party.

I have no desire to offend or harm anyone, but should I never wear an upright pentagram in public, just because some people mistakenly align this symbol with Satanism? Should I forever avoid wearing the upright pentagram because this might disturb Christians or other opposed to Satanism?

The answer is NO.

I should educate people on the real meaning of the swastika and it’s religous and cultural history. Even today people remain uneducated about the previous life of the swastika and continue to associate it with Nazi Germany even though this is only a small part of the history of the symbol.

The word swastika means “good fortune” in Sanskrit. The earliest know example of the swastika dates from India’s most ancient culture, the Indus-Sarasvati civilization. According to the book “Dancing With Siva” by Swami Subramunyaswami, this occured at least 7000 years ago during one of the very earliest of human civilizations. It exists on a clay seal found at the port city of Lothal, many thousands of years old and is preserved today in a museum. Hitler had an obsession with occult phenomena, so he chose the most ancient, most powerful, and most beneficial of symbols to strengthen his plans for a world empire. This one was especially useful, because it was also important to ancient Germans due to their strong cultural link with the people of India.

Other religions of India also use the swastika. At a time when early Buddhists refrained from portraying images of the Buddha in human form, his likeness was indicated by footprints surrounded by swastikas. Both Jains and Sikhs also use the swastika as a spiritual symbol. The history of the swastika ranges over the world. It was used on coins in Mesopotamia. Among the natives of North and Central America it was used by the Maya and the Navajo. Tuetonic tribes of Europe used the swasika as a solar symbol for protection and dispelling of all evil forces.

What does the swastika represent to Hindus? The swastika is a symbol of Dharma (sacred duty and actions that bring one closer to deity) and is associated with the Hindu Deity Ganesha, the opener of doors and remover of obstacles. Swastikas are worn for protection and good luck. They are used to guard doorways and to sactify religious ceremonies. The four bent arms of the swastika stand for the four humans aims of life or purushartha ( sacred duty, prosperity, love, and liberation). It represents the sun and cycles of nature.

My Hindu altar contains many swastikas and my Wiccan athame is adorned with one as well. When I do house blessings, I trace swastikas over the doors, windows, and other openings. I have used them with great success in prosperity spells.

As a Wiccan I can understand what it is like to have your religious symbols misunderstood by the general public. If I had to choose to wear either a swastika or pentagram to a non-Pagan friendly event it would be hard to decide. Wearing a swastika, I would be labeled a racist, neonazi, and hater of Jews. Wearing a pentagram I would be labeled a Satanist. From a harm avoidant perspective, I really do not know which is worse.

Attending Pagan friendly events, a pentagram is universally accepted while swastikas are not. An upright pentagram identifies me as a Wiccan, someone who believes in the Law of Three (karma), reincarnation, and belief in Goddesses as well as Gods. What does a swastika mean to the average Pagan or Wiccan? Does it still carry bagage from it’s short history as a symbol of Nazi Germany. If you saw a person wearing a swastika pendant what would your first thoughts be?

The swastika has been a much hated symbol since it was used by the Nazis during World War II. Why let this continue? For thousands of years previously, the swastika, or a variant of that design, has been used by many nations for positive purposes and is part of thier religious and cultural heritage. Should a few years of abuse by a sadistic lunatic marr the reputation of symbol that has been around for thousands of years? As a part of the Hindu and Pagan community, I feel I owe this to my ancestors and teachers, to help bring the swastika back and restore it’s position of honor.

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