Symbol Of Hate?
By: Archish Prakhya
Tags: History, Racism, Hate, Nazis, Sociology

Symbol Of Hate?

How was the original Swastika corrupted to symbolize the hateful ideologies of racial supremacy and Nazism? Archish Prakhya Follow Jun 17 · 5 min read

In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Sam Wilson, portrayed by Anthony Mackie, said that “Symbols are nothing without the men and women that give them meaning.” Unfortunately, the actions of other characters, notably John Walker, demonstrate how certain people can not only disgrace such beloved emblems, but ultimately tarnish their legacies for future generations.

A real-life example of this is the Swastika, which still represents unspeakable evil for many as it was used extensively by the Nazis. However, in many parts of the world, it originally meant good fortune and peace. That being said, how exactly was the Swastika corrupted to symbolize the hateful ideologies of racial supremacy and Nazism?

Before its modern notoriety, the Swastika had a unique and diverse history. It was present in various age-old cultures as well as contemporary products. For example, the symbol is noted to have originated from India as it literally translates to “wellbeing” in the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit and has been employed by Hindus, Jains, and Buddhists alike for millennia (Campion). Apart from them, early Europeans such as the Greeks, Romans, Slavs, and Celts also utilized the Swastika for religious or creative purposes. Even as far away as North America and Africa, indigenous communities like the Navajo and Ashanti were recorded to have incorporated the design into their artwork, fashion, and healing rituals.

What is even more surprising is the fact that the Swastika was once accepted and even admired throughout the West. According to Steven Heller, “Coca-Cola used it. Carlsberg used it on their beer bottles. The Boy Scouts adopted it and the Girls’ Club of America called their magazine Swastika” (Campion). In all of these instances, the Swastika was used to convey positive and artistic messages. So, what is the hidden significance behind this icon that sparked a national hate movement?

While other groups used it for religious or creative expression, far-right extremists within Germany viewed the Swastika as their heritage. They believed that both India and Germany were once inhabited by a mythical race of warriors known as the Aryans, as both Sanskirt and German shared many similarities (Boissonneault). Although these theories were debunked. Later on, many Germans subscribed to the notion that they had godlike ancestors.

To make matters worse, some anti-semitic and nationalist groups took it upon themselves to appropriate the Swastika as a pure Aryan symbol to boost ethnic pride and alienate minorities (Boissonneault). Unfortunately, these radicals became further emboldened by the advent of a particularly brutal dictator.

That man was none other than the infamous leader of the Nazi Party, Adolf Hitler, whose pervasive usage of the Swastika lead to its vilification. He took the original symbol and reshaped it as the Hakenkreuz or the hooked cross that we now recognize as the trademark of antisemitism, xenophobia, and other repulsive beliefs (Skidmore).

This modernized depiction of the prehistoric emblem gave visual identity to the Nazis and rallied millions of Germans to their cause. Apart from that, in a bid to erase the humble roots of the Swastika and consolidate it as a sign of Nazi strength, “Joseph Goebbels (Hitler’s minister of propaganda) issued a decree on May 19, 1933 that prevented unauthorized commercial use of the hooked cross” (Boissonneault). This, coupled with the fact that much of the globe was at war with Germany and their allies, encouraged many people to reject and degrade the Swastika as enemy insignia. After the war, efforts to prohibit its display have served no purpose but to make the symbol even more controversial and hated.

In conclusion, the Nazis were able to corrupt the Swastika by literally twisting it and its ancient history through widespread propaganda to suit their racial narratives. However, Western countries play just as much of a role in the continued denigration of the Swastika. By enforcing bans instead of educating the public about its origins, governments are only validating the racist and disingenuous views of Hitler and other bigots.

Is it proper to judge a symbol based on a few decades of its misuse or should we also consider the fact that it has existed as a beloved icon of love and peace for centuries?

Works Cited

Boissonneault, Lorraine. “The Man Who Brought the Swastika to Germany, and How the Nazis Stole It.” Smithsonian Magazine, 6 April. 2017, www.smithsonianmag.com/history/man-who-brought-swastika-germany-and-how-nazis-stole-it-180962812/. Accessed 5 May 2021.

Campion, Mukti Jain. “How the World Loved the Swastika-Until Hitler Stole It.” BBC Magazine, 23 October. 2014, www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29644591. Accessed 5 May 2021.

Skidmore, James M. “How the Nazis Twisted the Swastika Into A Symbol Of Hate.” The Conversation, 31 August. 2017, www.theconversation.com/how-nazis-twisted-the-swastika-into-a-symbol-of-hate-83020. Accessed 7 May 2021.