Swastika - Revision history

Alex Audziayuk: /* Articles */ added 2016 Quest article by R. Smoley

2025-12-09T02:14:38Z

Articles: added 2016 Quest article by R. Smoley

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:14, 9 December 2025
Line 108:		Line 108:
	*[http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29644591# How the World Loved the Swastika - Until Hitler Stole It] on BBC News online magazine.		*[http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29644591# How the World Loved the Swastika - Until Hitler Stole It] on BBC News online magazine.
	*[https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/29/arts/think-tank-a-symbol-of-hatred-pleads-not-guilty.html# A Symbol of Hatred Pleads Not Guilty] on the New York Times online edition.		*[https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/29/arts/think-tank-a-symbol-of-hatred-pleads-not-guilty.html# A Symbol of Hatred Pleads Not Guilty] on the New York Times online edition.
			* Smoley, Richard. [https://www.theosophical.org/publications/quest-magazine/the-twisted-history-of-the-swastika "The Twisted History of the Swastika"], ''Quest'' 104.1 (Winter 2016): pg. 22-23

	== Books ==		== Books ==

SysopJ: /* Articles */

2023-12-27T21:56:25Z

Articles

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:56, 27 December 2023
Line 103:		Line 103:
	*[https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/swastika Swastika] in Theosophy World.		*[https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/swastika Swastika] in Theosophy World.
	*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_use_of_the_swastika_in_the_early_20th_century# Western use of the swastika in the early 20th century] at Wikipedia.		*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_use_of_the_swastika_in_the_early_20th_century# Western use of the swastika in the early 20th century] at Wikipedia.
	*[http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/articles/Swastika.pdf# The Swastika] by Anonymous Author.		*[http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/articles/Swastika.pdf# The Swastika] by Anonymous Author. This article first appeared in the September 1975 issue of ''Hermes'' and was reproduced with permission in the December 1975 issue of ''The American Theosophist''.
	*[http://gosai.com/writings/swastika-and-cross# Swastika and Cross] by Swami B. G. Narasingha.		*[http://gosai.com/writings/swastika-and-cross# Swastika and Cross] by Swami B. G. Narasingha.
	*[http://www.esotericonline.net/group/teachings-of-helena-petrovna-blavatsky/page/about-swastika# About Swastika] by Esoteric Online.		*[http://www.esotericonline.net/group/teachings-of-helena-petrovna-blavatsky/page/about-swastika# About Swastika] by Esoteric Online.

SysopJ: /* Articles */

2023-11-22T04:16:31Z

Articles

← Older revision		Revision as of 04:16, 22 November 2023
Line 101:		Line 101:
	==Online resources==		==Online resources==
	===Articles===		===Articles===
	*[https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/swastika Swastika] at Theosophy World.		*[https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/swastika Swastika] in Theosophy World.
	*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_use_of_the_swastika_in_the_early_20th_century# Western use of the swastika in the early 20th century] at Wikipedia.		*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_use_of_the_swastika_in_the_early_20th_century# Western use of the swastika in the early 20th century] at Wikipedia.
	*[http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/articles/Swastika.pdf# The Swastika] by Anonymous Author.		*[http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/articles/Swastika.pdf# The Swastika] by Anonymous Author.

SysopJ: /* Theosophical interpretation */

2023-10-14T01:22:13Z

Theosophical interpretation

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:22, 14 October 2023
Line 33:		Line 33:

	== Theosophical interpretation ==		== Theosophical interpretation ==
			[[File:TS-Seal.gif\|right\|160px\|thumb\|Theosophical Society seal]]
			[[File:AB wearing swaskika.jpg\|right\|200px\|thumb\|Annie Besant wearing swastika pendant]]
	The swastika is one of the elements present in the [[Theosophical Seal]]. According to [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky\|Mme. Blavatsky]]:		The swastika is one of the elements present in the [[Theosophical Seal]]. According to [[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky\|Mme. Blavatsky]]:

SysopJ at 01:16, 14 October 2023

2023-10-14T01:16:59Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:16, 14 October 2023
Line 1:		Line 1:
			[[File:Swastika in cultures.JPG\|right\|300px]]
	The '''Swastika''' is an equilateral cross with its arms bent at right angles, in either right-facing (卐) form or its mirrored left-facing (卍) form.		The '''Swastika''' is an equilateral cross with its arms bent at right angles, in either right-facing (卐) form or its mirrored left-facing (卍) form.

Line 10:		Line 11:

	<blockquote>Throw a retrospective glance, and see it used alike by the Initiates and Seers, as by the priests of Troy (found by Schliemann on the site of that old city). One finds it with the old Peruvians, the Assyrians, Chaldeans, as well as on the walls of the old-world cyclopean buildings; in the catacombs of the New world, and in those of the Old (?), at Rome, where, because the first Christians are supposed to have concealed themselves and their religion, it is called Crux Dissimulata.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. II, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 586.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>Throw a retrospective glance, and see it used alike by the Initiates and Seers, as by the priests of Troy (found by Schliemann on the site of that old city). One finds it with the old Peruvians, the Assyrians, Chaldeans, as well as on the walls of the old-world cyclopean buildings; in the catacombs of the New world, and in those of the Old (?), at Rome, where, because the first Christians are supposed to have concealed themselves and their religion, it is called Crux Dissimulata.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. II, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 586.</ref></blockquote>
	[[File:~~Swastika in cultures~~.~~JPG~~\|right\|~~300px~~]]		[[File:Examples of Swastikas.jpg\|right\|400px\|thumb\|Swastikas in various cultures]]
	Earliest archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient India as well as Classical Antiquity. Swastikas have also been used in other various ancient civilizations around the world. It remains widely used in Indian religions, specifically in [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]] and [[Jainism]], primarily as a tantric symbol to evoke 'shakti' or the sacred symbol of auspiciousness. The swastika is also a Chinese character used in East Asia representing eternity and Buddhism. In medieval Europe it was used by Christians and called a gammadion (because it is made of four Greek gamma letters) or in England a fylfot because it was used as a design to fill (fyl) the foot (fot) of stained glass windows. It was also found among natives in the Americas.		Earliest archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient India as well as Classical Antiquity. Swastikas have also been used in other various ancient civilizations around the world. It remains widely used in Indian religions, specifically in [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]] and [[Jainism]], primarily as a tantric symbol to evoke 'shakti' or the sacred symbol of auspiciousness. The swastika is also a Chinese character used in East Asia representing eternity and Buddhism. In medieval Europe it was used by Christians and called a gammadion (because it is made of four Greek gamma letters) or in England a fylfot because it was used as a design to fill (fyl) the foot (fot) of stained glass windows. It was also found among natives in the Americas.

Line 79:		Line 80:

	=== In Buddhism ===		=== In Buddhism ===
	[[File:Swastika Buddha.jpg\|right\|150px]]		[[File:Swastika Buddha.jpg\|right\|150px\|thumb\|Buddha with swastika]]
	[[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky\|Mme. Blavatsky]] wrote:		[[Helena Petrovna Blavatsky\|Mme. Blavatsky]] wrote:

Line 85:		Line 86:

	=== Northern Europe ===		=== Northern Europe ===
	[[File:Fylfot Hammer.jpg\|left\|150px]]		[[File:Fylfot Hammer.jpg\|left\|150px\|thumb\|Hakenkreuz]]
	The Fylfot was a most sacred symbol to the Odinist forefathers of the Germanic lands, and to all the pre-Christian peoples of Europe. Archaeological evidence of Fylfot-shaped ornaments has been found to date from the Neolithic period, which proves it pedigree indeed and in no uncertain terms. In England, artefacts displaying Fylfot carvings of a very varied nature have been found in several different regions, from cremation urns in East Anglia, to hilts and sword belts found in Kent.<ref>See [http://www.odinic-rite.org/Guardians/holy-odinic-symbols-the-fylfotswastika# Holy Odinic Symbols: The Fylfot/Swastika]</ref>		The Fylfot was a most sacred symbol to the Odinist forefathers of the Germanic lands, and to all the pre-Christian peoples of Europe. Archaeological evidence of Fylfot-shaped ornaments has been found to date from the Neolithic period, which proves it pedigree indeed and in no uncertain terms. In England, artefacts displaying Fylfot carvings of a very varied nature have been found in several different regions, from cremation urns in East Anglia, to hilts and sword belts found in Kent.<ref>See [http://www.odinic-rite.org/Guardians/holy-odinic-symbols-the-fylfotswastika# Holy Odinic Symbols: The Fylfot/Swastika]</ref>

SysopJ at 18:35, 15 December 2022

2022-12-15T18:35:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:35, 15 December 2022
Line 59:		Line 59:

	In addition, the quarterly positions of the constellation known as Big Dipper or Great Bear, have been observed to form a shape closely resembling the swastika when juxtaposed into a medicine wheel.		In addition, the quarterly positions of the constellation known as Big Dipper or Great Bear, have been observed to form a shape closely resembling the swastika when juxtaposed into a medicine wheel.


	===In Hinduism===		===In Hinduism===

SysopJ: /* Native American */

2022-12-15T18:34:35Z

Native American

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:34, 15 December 2022
Line 54:		Line 54:

	=== Native American ===		=== Native American ===
	[[File:Swastika Native American.jpg\|right\|200px]]		[[File:Swastika Native American.jpg\|left\|160px\|thumb\|Symbol on clothing]]
			[[File:Big_Dipper_Medicine_wheel.jpg\|right\|200px\|thumb\|Big Dipper Medicine Wheel]]
	The swastika or "whirling log" is a sacred symbol among the Navajo people, as well as other Native American tribes. The origin of this symbol derives from the ancient Mississippian culture of the Mound Builders of North America and were major elements in the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex of American prehistory (S.E.C.C.). Some of the Native Indian tribes still retain some elements of the Mississippi culture and the symbolism of the broken cross symbol that is commonly referred to as a Swastika.<ref>See [https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-symbols/swastika-symbol.htm Native American Symbol - Swastika] by Linda Alchin</ref>		The swastika or "whirling log" is a sacred symbol among the Navajo people, as well as other Native American tribes. The origin of this symbol derives from the ancient Mississippian culture of the Mound Builders of North America and were major elements in the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex of American prehistory (S.E.C.C.). Some of the Native Indian tribes still retain some elements of the Mississippi culture and the symbolism of the broken cross symbol that is commonly referred to as a Swastika.<ref>See [https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-symbols/swastika-symbol.htm Native American Symbol - Swastika] by Linda Alchin</ref>

			In addition, the quarterly positions of the constellation known as Big Dipper or Great Bear, have been observed to form a shape closely resembling the swastika when juxtaposed into a medicine wheel.

	===In Hinduism===		===In Hinduism===

SysopJ at 18:33, 26 October 2022

2022-10-26T18:33:14Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:33, 26 October 2022
Line 86:		Line 86:
	Before the Fylfot/Hakenkreuz had become tainted by the activities of the NSDAP, the power it had in the hearts of the Germans as the party rose to power and led Germany, was overwhelming. It had/has a primal draw, deep within our Folk Memory, and it was quite possibly for this reason that the leaders of the Third Reich chose it for their party. They knew something of its primal power, the divine energy that it sparked in the spirits of the people, and they abused this powerful Folk Memory to serve their own ends.<ref>See [http://www.odinic-rite.org/Guardians/holy-odinic-symbols-the-fylfotswastika# Holy Odinic Symbols: The Fylfot/Swastika]</ref>		Before the Fylfot/Hakenkreuz had become tainted by the activities of the NSDAP, the power it had in the hearts of the Germans as the party rose to power and led Germany, was overwhelming. It had/has a primal draw, deep within our Folk Memory, and it was quite possibly for this reason that the leaders of the Third Reich chose it for their party. They knew something of its primal power, the divine energy that it sparked in the spirits of the people, and they abused this powerful Folk Memory to serve their own ends.<ref>See [http://www.odinic-rite.org/Guardians/holy-odinic-symbols-the-fylfotswastika# Holy Odinic Symbols: The Fylfot/Swastika]</ref>

	Blavatsky defines the "Fylfot (Scand.). A weapon of Thor, like the Swastika; or the Jaina, the four-footed cross; generally called 'Thorns Hammer'." and quotes "that very learned work, 'The Natural Genesis', by Mr. Gerald Massey" who writes: "Thor throws his weapon, the Fylfot, a form of the four-footed cross (Swastica) and a type of the four quarters."		Blavatsky defines the "Fylfot (Scand.). A weapon of Thor, like the Swastika; or the Jaina, the four-footed cross; generally called 'Thorns Hammer'." and quotes "that very learned work, 'The Natural Genesis', by Mr. [[Gerald Massey]]" who writes: "Thor throws his weapon, the Fylfot, a form of the four-footed cross (Swastica) and a type of the four quarters."

			[[File:Swastika_Meditation_Drawing.jpg\|180px\|right\|thumb\|Olga Fröbe-Kapteyn's Meditation Drawing]]
			== Representations in art ==

			Dutch [[Theosophist]] Olga Fröbe-Kapteyn (1881 – 1962) painted a swastika in one of a series of "meditation drawings."

	==Online resources==		==Online resources==

SysopJ: /* Online resources */

2021-12-16T22:42:36Z

Online resources

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:42, 16 December 2021
Line 90:		Line 90:
	==Online resources==		==Online resources==
	===Articles===		===Articles===
	*[~~http~~://theosophy.ph/~~encyclo~~/~~index.php?title=Swastika#~~ Swastika] at ~~Theosopedia~~		*[https://www.theosophy.world/encyclopedia/swastika Swastika] at Theosophy World.
	*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_use_of_the_swastika_in_the_early_20th_century# Western use of the swastika in the early 20th century] at Wikipedia		*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_use_of_the_swastika_in_the_early_20th_century# Western use of the swastika in the early 20th century] at Wikipedia.
	*[http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/articles/Swastika.pdf# The Swastika] by Anonymous Author		*[http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/articles/Swastika.pdf# The Swastika] by Anonymous Author.
	*[http://gosai.com/writings/swastika-and-cross# Swastika and Cross] by Swami B. G. Narasingha		*[http://gosai.com/writings/swastika-and-cross# Swastika and Cross] by Swami B. G. Narasingha.
	*[http://www.esotericonline.net/group/teachings-of-helena-petrovna-blavatsky/page/about-swastika# About Swastika] by Esoteric Online		*[http://www.esotericonline.net/group/teachings-of-helena-petrovna-blavatsky/page/about-swastika# About Swastika] by Esoteric Online.
	*[http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29644591# How the World Loved the Swastika - Until Hitler Stole It] on BBC News online magazine		*[http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-29644591# How the World Loved the Swastika - Until Hitler Stole It] on BBC News online magazine.
	*[https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/29/arts/think-tank-a-symbol-of-hatred-pleads-not-guilty.html# A Symbol of Hatred Pleads Not Guilty] on the New York Times online edition		*[https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/29/arts/think-tank-a-symbol-of-hatred-pleads-not-guilty.html# A Symbol of Hatred Pleads Not Guilty] on the New York Times online edition.

	== Books ==		== Books ==

Pablo Sender at 22:42, 14 December 2021

2021-12-14T22:42:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:42, 14 December 2021
Line 10:		Line 10:

	<blockquote>Throw a retrospective glance, and see it used alike by the Initiates and Seers, as by the priests of Troy (found by Schliemann on the site of that old city). One finds it with the old Peruvians, the Assyrians, Chaldeans, as well as on the walls of the old-world cyclopean buildings; in the catacombs of the New world, and in those of the Old (?), at Rome, where, because the first Christians are supposed to have concealed themselves and their religion, it is called Crux Dissimulata.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. II, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 586.</ref></blockquote>		<blockquote>Throw a retrospective glance, and see it used alike by the Initiates and Seers, as by the priests of Troy (found by Schliemann on the site of that old city). One finds it with the old Peruvians, the Assyrians, Chaldeans, as well as on the walls of the old-world cyclopean buildings; in the catacombs of the New world, and in those of the Old (?), at Rome, where, because the first Christians are supposed to have concealed themselves and their religion, it is called Crux Dissimulata.<ref>Helena Petrovna Blavatsky, ''The Secret Doctrine'' vol. II, (Wheaton, IL: Theosophical Publishing House, 1993), 586.</ref></blockquote>
	[[File:Swastika ~~Native American~~.~~jpg~~\|right\|~~250px~~]]		[[File:Swastika in cultures.JPG\|right\|300px]]
	Earliest archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient India as well as Classical Antiquity. Swastikas have also been used in other various ancient civilizations around the world. It remains widely used in Indian religions, specifically in [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]] and [[Jainism]], primarily as a tantric symbol to evoke 'shakti' or the sacred symbol of auspiciousness. The swastika is also a Chinese character used in East Asia representing eternity and Buddhism. In medieval Europe it was used by Christians and called a gammadion (because it is made of four Greek gamma letters) or in England a fylfot because it was used as a design to fill (fyl) the foot (fot) of stained glass windows. It was also found among natives in the Americas.		Earliest archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates back to the Indus Valley Civilization of Ancient India as well as Classical Antiquity. Swastikas have also been used in other various ancient civilizations around the world. It remains widely used in Indian religions, specifically in [[Hinduism]], [[Buddhism]] and [[Jainism]], primarily as a tantric symbol to evoke 'shakti' or the sacred symbol of auspiciousness. The swastika is also a Chinese character used in East Asia representing eternity and Buddhism. In medieval Europe it was used by Christians and called a gammadion (because it is made of four Greek gamma letters) or in England a fylfot because it was used as a design to fill (fyl) the foot (fot) of stained glass windows. It was also found among natives in the Americas.

Line 52:		Line 52:

	== In other religions and cultures ==		== In other religions and cultures ==

			=== Native American ===
			[[File:Swastika Native American.jpg\|right\|200px]]
			The swastika or "whirling log" is a sacred symbol among the Navajo people, as well as other Native American tribes. The origin of this symbol derives from the ancient Mississippian culture of the Mound Builders of North America and were major elements in the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex of American prehistory (S.E.C.C.). Some of the Native Indian tribes still retain some elements of the Mississippi culture and the symbolism of the broken cross symbol that is commonly referred to as a Swastika.<ref>See [https://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-symbols/swastika-symbol.htm Native American Symbol - Swastika] by Linda Alchin</ref>

	===In Hinduism===		===In Hinduism===
Line 87:		Line 91:
	===Articles===		===Articles===
	*[http://theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=Swastika# Swastika] at Theosopedia		*[http://theosophy.ph/encyclo/index.php?title=Swastika# Swastika] at Theosopedia
			*[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_use_of_the_swastika_in_the_early_20th_century# Western use of the swastika in the early 20th century] at Wikipedia
	*[http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/articles/Swastika.pdf# The Swastika] by Anonymous Author		*[http://www.theosophical.org/files/resources/articles/Swastika.pdf# The Swastika] by Anonymous Author
	*[http://gosai.com/writings/swastika-and-cross# Swastika and Cross] by Swami B. G. Narasingha		*[http://gosai.com/writings/swastika-and-cross# Swastika and Cross] by Swami B. G. Narasingha