Before Hitler took the swatstica as his symbol it was the Indian symbol of something. What? Please include any information of the swatstica prior to Hitler.

Flynn_17

That's 'Swastika'. It is a symbol of good fortune. http://web.singnet.com.sg/~sidneys/Swastika.htm Feb 22 05, 4:22 PM

dejavucub4

The four directions. Far before Native Americans used this symbol it was used in China and India?could be wrong on exact locale,symbolizing a comet.This comet had four tails radiating or spiraling outward and is seen in several cultures of the period. Feb 22 05, 5:42 PM

Shrivats

It's definitely still used in India, with absolutely no relation to its more infamous use. Feb 22 05, 10:39 PM

mibmob

Hindus in this country (UK) are trying hard to reclaim it and give it its original importance. Feb 23 05, 5:37 AM

SOTHC

The swastika is an ancient symbol that has been used for over 3,000 years. (That even predates the ancient Egyptian symbol, the Ankh!) Artifacts such as pottery and coins from ancient Troy show that the swastika was a commonly used symbol as far back as 1000 BCE. During the following thousand years, the image of the swastika was used by many cultures around the world, including in China, Japan, India, and southern Europe. By the Middle Ages, the swastika was a well known, if not commonly used, symbol but was called by many different names: China - wan England - fylfot Germany - Hakenkreuz Greece - tetraskelion and gammadion India - swastika Though it is not known for exactly how long, Native Americans also have long used the symbol of the swastika. The word "swastika" comes from the Sanskrit svastika - "su" meaning "good," "asti" meaning "to be," and "ka" as a suffix. Until the Nazis used this symbol, the swastika was used by many cultures throughout the past 3,000 years to represent life, sun, power, strength, and good luck. Even in the early twentieth century, the swastika was still a symbol with positive connotations. For instance, the swastika was a common decoration that often adorned cigarette cases, postcards, coins, and buildings. During World War I, the swastika could even be found on the shoulder patches of the American 45th Division and on the Finnish air force until after World War II. http://history1900s.about.com/cs/swastika/a/swastikahistory.htm Feb 23 05, 6:02 AM

Buck540

There is an old building near me that has a large backward swastika displayed on it. Feb 23 05, 6:38 AM

lothruin

(I'm guessing that when the eytank said "indian" he meant Indian, not Native American. I think at least one person seems to have mistaken that.) Feb 23 05, 9:11 AM