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Swastika
The swastika is a type of solar cross, with
arms bent at right angles, suggesting a whirling or turning motion.
The name Swastika is derived from the
Sanskrit language, from "su," meaning "good," and
"vasti"," meaning "being" (meaning well being). In
India, it is used as a fertility and good luck charm.
The right turning Indian swastika
symbolizes the sun and positive energy, and is most commonly associated with
the deity Ganesh, a God of prosperity and wealth. Some Indians regard an
anti-clockwise swastika as an opposing, dark force- a symbol of the godess
Kali. Together, the two can be regarded as symbolically similar to the Yin-Yang
symbol of Taoism, or the two Pillars of Kabbalah.
The swastika is also known for its uses in
heraldry as the tetraskelion, the fylfot cross (fylfot meaning 'four feet,' a
term used in european heraldry), the cross gammadion (because it resembles four
greek letter 'gammas.'), and the hakenkreutz (German, hooked cross).
The swastika used in Buddhist art and
scripture is known as a Manji, and represents Dharma, universal harmony, and
the balance of opposites. When facing left, it is the Omote (front) Manji,
representing love and mercy. Facing right, it represents strength and
intelligence, and is called the Ura (rear facing) Omoje. Balanced Manji are
often found at the beginning and end of Buddhist scriptures.
In pre-Christian Pagan Europe, the swastika
was generally a solar symbol, but in many cases, its use dates so far back in
history that its original meaning is obscured. In Baltic regions, the swastika
is sometimes called the "thunder cross," and is associated with the
Thunder God Perkons (Perkunis).
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