The swastika is an ancient symbol recognized as a religious sign and in some cultures as a good luck symbol. It is a sacred symbol derived from Sanskrit, the language of the Hindu civilization dating back several thousand years. It can also be found on Buddhist inscriptions, Greek coins, and Byzantine buildings. It was a widely used symbol among the Native Americans. The swastika appears in the form of a cross in which the arms are bent at right angles in a given direction. In 1920, the swastika became the symbol of the National Socialist Party of Germany and was added to the German flag from 1935-45. Over the ensuing years, it became a symbol of hate and oppression in most countries around the world. Today, it still evokes horrific memories, and in some countries German memorabilia with the swastika is banned from sale.
See also: Fylfot
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This page is adapted from the Glossary at Phoenixmasonry — Used with permission.
