Swastika

{{bronze}}[[Image:Nativeamerican.jpg|thumb|165px|Swastikas on a [[Native American]] bowl]]{{Nazism}}
The '''Swastika''' ([[Sanskrit]]: स्वस्तिक), also known as the '''''Hakenkreuz''''' ([[German]], meaning "Hooked-Cross') or '''''Fylfot''''' (Old [[English]]), is a cross-like emblem with angled arms, found in most [[culture|cultures]] throughout the world. Nobody flipped their shit about it for over 10,000 years until a certain [[Adolf Hitler|psychopath]] got a hold of it.

==Religious and cultural use==
===Dharmic religions===
[[File:Kipling.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Before the Nazis, the Swastika was used as a decorative motif to represent [[India]], as on these {{wpl|Rudyard Kipling|Rudyard Kipling's}} books.]]
Swastika-like images have been found throughout ancient cultures. Most notably, it is a symbol of fertility and luck in [[India]] and other countries; and has positive connotations in [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]], [[Jainism]], [[Sikhism]], and [[Zoroastrianism]]. The Hindu Swastika was and is an emblem of a faith-based set of constructs, but apart from that, it is fairly harmless.
[[File:Red_Swastika_Society_member.jpg|thumb|right|150px|This guy from China's {{wpl|Red Swastika Society}} was dressed to help out in a soup kitchen.]]
The most common Buddhist Swastika has anticlockwise arms and can be seen at numerous temples in the Far East; Hinduism and Jainism, however, nearly always use a Swastika with clockwise arms. A comfortable [[myth]] abounds that Hitler's Swastika was "backwards," but even in Buddhist iconography, the right-facing Swastika was far more common a hundred years ago than it is today. Because the left-facing Swastika is rare in Hinduism (keep in mind [[Aryan|what Hitler was trying to convey]]) and absent from Jainism, this myth is particularly very dangerous.

===Native American religion===
In [[North America]] petroglyphs have been found with the Swastika symbol. There is not yet a consensus regarding the meaning of the symbol. The state of [[Arizona]] paid homage to this heritage on its state highway markers of the 1920s and 30s.<ref>[http://www.routemarkers.com/states/1948/Arizona.gif Computer-generated image] of pre-World War II Arizona state highway marker.</ref> During [[World War II]], the Arizona Department of Transportation began installing state highway markers ''sans Swastika''.<ref>[http://www.routemarkers.com/states/Arizona.gif Computer-generated image] of post-World War II Arizona state highway marker.</ref>

===Raëlism‎===
{{main|Raëlism‎}}
The Swastika, in conjunction with the Star of David, is used in the Raëlian movement. They believe that the whole symbol represents the infinitude of space and time. However, the Raëlians eventually changed their symbol when the [[Israel|Israeli]] government prohibited them from building an embassy for their [[Extraterrestrial|alien]] gods in [[Jerusalem]]. [[Holocaust|Who knows why]]?

===Asatru===
{{main|Asatru}}
[[Image:HNHSwastikaFylfot.gif|thumb|150px|A banner used on Asatru websites]]
The Swastika is also used as a symbol in Germanic [[neopaganism|Neo-Paganism]], and there is a movement among Germanic Neo-Pagans to rehabilitate the Swastika as a religious symbol rather than a racist one.<ref>[http://www.odinic-rite.org/fylfot.html The Odinic Rite on the Swastika]</ref><ref>[http://www.northvegr.org/fylfot/index.php The Northvegr Foundation on the Swastika]</ref> Many [[Asatru]] websites display a banner containing the Swastika along with the tagline, "Heritage Not Hate," apparently unaware that this [[Confederate States of America|makes an association that ''really'' doesn't help their case]].

===Celts===
{{wpl|Lauburu|Swastika-like symbols}} can be found in regions with [[Celtic]] influences as the {{wpl|Basque country}}, being heavily associated with Basques, and other northern regions of [[Spain]] too. Similarly, the {{wpl|Triskelion}} or rather variants of it {{wpl|Triskelion#Modern usage|are often used}} by Neo-Nazis after German units had used them in World War II.

==Political use and stigmatization==
[[File:Chinese Vegetarian BBQ sauce.jpeg|thumb|Don't be shocked at the sight of this product, which you can find in Asian specialty grocery stores; this is just the Chinese Buddhist use of the symbol.]]
While the Swastika was originally a relatively harmless symbol, the [[far-right]] {{wpl|Thule Society}} appropriated it. Many of the original [[Nazi|Nazis]] were involved in this group, and as a result, turned it into an emblem of [[racism]]. Thus, it is one of the most recognized symbols in the world. Such is the power of the emblem to provoke, any shape vaguely resembling it is often deemed to be one, and its owner or designer [[Godwin's Law|accused of being a Nazi]]. Most of the time, this is actually no different to the face of [[Jesus]] [[Religious pareidolia|appearing on a cheese sandwich]].

If you ever see this happening, don't be a dick. Inform people, but be aware not to help Nazis in defending their use of it. Also, be mindful and inform yourself about the cultural context. Swastikas on Asian products and structures or buildings (especially those that predate [[World War II]], but are still prevalent) are most likely innocent. People from [[Asia]], for instance, already have to deal with shocked ignorant people, unaware of the Swastika's worldwide ubiquity, calling for their symbol to be removed.

There have been attempts to reclaim the Swastika back to its original, more positive roots. They usually receive backlash or unwittingly receive the support of Neo-Nazis, but most attempts at reclaiming the Swastika strongly reject Nazism and even present it as an argument to combat Nazism.

===In Germany===
Post-Nazi [[Germany]] has banned the use of the Swastika in a Nazi context, to the point where even ''anti''-fascist use of it spawned a debate (in the end, it was allowed if the anti-intent was undoubtedly clear). In 2007, [[Germany]] attempted to get the [[European Union]] to pass new laws instituting a similar ban across the EU but failed in this due to the objection of Hindus. Hindu communities are exempted from the ban in Germany as well.

Another exception is if the Swastika is displayed for the purpose of teaching, research, or other pursuits aimed at ''Staatsbürgerliche Aufklärung'' ([[German]], meaning "civic [[education]]"). However, materials that are not considered educational, such as [[WWII]]-themed [[Video games|computer games]] and plastic model kits, have to be sold in special, Swastika-free versions, up to including [[Video_game#Modding|fan mods]] for simulation games as ''{{wpl|Silent Hunter III}}''<ref>Where, by default, German ships as the famous ''{{wpl|German battleship Bismarck|Bismarck}}'' have just a white circle where the Swastika should be, even if you bought the game outside Germany</ref>. In some cases, companies not wishing to make two versions of their software/model may wind up distributing a Swastika-free version in all markets, not just in [[Germany]] and other markets banning the Swastika.

Following a landmark decision in 2018 over the political satire browser game ''{{wpl|Bundesfighter II Turbo}}'' where a parody of German politician {{wpl|Alexander Gauland}} is depicted using a special move that involved Swastikas, the German Attorney General declined to consider the game illegal under ''Strafgesetzbuch'' Section 86a, stating that the 1998 ruling was outdated, and that video games, like television and radio before it, are art forms and thus subject to the "social adequacy" clause where an otherwise-illegal symbol could be used if its use is for artistic and/or scholarly context. As of March 2020, the video game ''{{wpl|Through the Darkest of Times}}'' is the first and so far only German-developed game to legally contain Swastikas as well as the Nazi salute. This is due to the nature of the game in which the player takes the lead of a cell of resistance in pre-war Nazi Germany. Since the game's purpose is also to educate young players about the progression of ''[[Gleichschaltung]]'', its symbols bear meaning that is important for understanding the historical context. However, some have also criticized the decision, namely the Ambassador of Israel {{wpl|Jeremy Issacharoff}};<ref name="Zeit">[https://www.zeit.de/digital/games/2018-10/videospiel-through-darkest-times-nazizeit-hitlergruss-hakenkreuz Mit Hakenkreuzen spielt man doch]</ref> {{wpl|Franziska Giffey}}, former Minister of Family Affairs, initially criticized its usage, saying "You don't play with Swastikas," but later posted on Facebook in support of the USK's decision.<ref>Schuetze, Christopher F. (20 March 2020). [https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/20/arts/germany-nazi-video-game.html "A German Video Game, Using Swastikas to Remember Nazi Terror"]. ''The New York Times''. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 25 October 2022.</ref>

Note: The Nazis never referred to the Swastika as a "Swastika," but as a ''Hakenkreuz'' (hook-cross).<ref name="Zeit"/><ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HspDwwVv1Fk "The Silence of Swastika: The Biggest Betrayal of The 20th Century (English Version)"] ''[[https://www.youtube.com/@aktkdocumentary|AKTK Documentary]]''</ref>

===In Finland===
[[File:Finnish air force roundel 1918.svg|thumb|right|150px|The 1918 {{wpl|Finnish Air Force}} Swastika]]
The Swastika has always been popular in [[Finland]]. It has been the symbol of the {{wpl|Finnish Air Force}} since 1918 and is a state symbol as well. After WWII, Air Force planes and symbols don't show it anymore, as requested by the Allied coalition. It survives through badges, awards, and symbols; even the Presidential Order of the Cross of Liberty showcases a Swastika. Many paintings by the national painter {{wpl|Gallen-Kallela}} include the symbol, which means that prior notifications and arrangements must be made when they are loaned to exhibitions abroad.

It doesn't help that Finland allied with Nazi Germany to fight the [[Soviet Union]].

===WWII reenactment===
[[File:Balkenkreuz fuselage underwing.svg|thumb|left|150px|The German ''{{wpl|Balkenkreuz}}'']]
Most groups that reenact WWII-era military events are understandably hesitant to use the Swastika in public when playing the role of the Germans. In its stead, the ''{{wpl|Balkenkreuz}}'' ([[German]], meaning "beam cross" or "bar cross") is frequently used.<ref>[http://www.panzergrenadier.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=15230 Panzergrenadier.net: WW2 Axis Reenactment Forum]</ref> Some, however, are perfectly happy with flying the Swastika and the SS runes.

==Pseudohistory==
{{main|Pseudohistory}}
[[Nationalist pseudohistory|Some claim]] that their country is home to the world's oldest Swastika(s), and that therefore it is the cradle of civilization, and their ethnic group is the [[Aryan]] (or whatever) master race. Of course, given that such arguments are made by nationalists in several different countries, such claims regarding which Swastikas are "the oldest" are almost always false.

==See also==
*{{wpa|Swastika}}
*[[Nazi analogies#Evil Nazi things|Other things ruined by Hitler]]
*[[Reappropriation]]

==External links==
*[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HspDwwVv1Fk "The Silence of Swastika: The Biggest Betrayal of The 20th Century (English Version)"]
*[http://reclaimtheswastika.com/ Reclaim The Swastika]
*Accidental swastikas in architecture:
**[http://www.digitalearthblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/09/swastika_building.jpg Swastika building]
**[http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_zIzmtkioa5w/Siis1yfUrRI/AAAAAAAAA7Y/mVyABGLJGwQ/s400/Metrodome-roof.jpg Swastika in the roof of the H.H.H. Metrodome] in Minneapolis, [[Minnesota]]. (The light streaming in is due to gaps incorporated into the roof's design.)
*Three [[Canadian]] hockey teams bore the name "Swastikas":
**[http://www.swastika-info.com/images/amerika/canada/edmontonhocky.jpg The Edmonton Swastikas] of [[Alberta]] (circa 1916)
**[http://sport2wear.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/fernie-swastikas-1922-61.jpg The Fernie Swastikas] of [[British Columbia]] (1922)
**[http://sport2wear.files.wordpress.com/2010/03/1584590906_43db8add1d_b.jpg The Windsor Swastikas] of [[Nova Scotia]] (1910)
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20100604144613/http://www.metro.co.uk/news/66628-zara-forced-to-pull-swastika-bag An evil tote bag]
*[http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-38614276 Boots with swastika soles]
*[http://web.archive.org/web/20110401024851/http://www.boners.com/grub/793986.html Somebody who didn't quite understand the message...]
*In Glendale, [[California]], many of the 1920s era streetlamp posts [http://farm1.static.flickr.com/139/322333088_a8528def1e_o.jpg like this one] have swastikas.
*Swastika is the name of a {{wpl|Swastika, Ontario|village in Ontario, Canada}}, and an {{wpl|Swastika, New York|unincorporated community in New York, USA}}.
*[http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29644591 How the world loved the swastika - until Hitler stole it] by Mukti Jain Campion (23 October 2014) ''BBC Magazine''.

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

[[Category:Cultural appropriation]]
[[Category:European history]]
[[Category:Nazism]]

Categories: Cultural appropriation, European history, Nazism