Swastika Is NOT Hitler’s Hakenkreuz

A few years back, the State of New York, USA, was contemplating a bill. This bill proposed to mandate that the Swastika be taught as a symbol of hatred and intolerance in all New York schools. The bill remains stalled due to widespread outrage among Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, and other communities over the deeply religious significance of the Swastika in these traditions. For many, the Swastika and its equivalents carry profound sacred significance, spanning thousands of years across various cultures including Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Native American traditions, and more. As a Hindu, envisioning life devoid of sacred symbols like Om, Swastika, Trishul, Tilak, and others seems unfathomable. These symbols serve as profound conduits through which we express our identities while forging a connection with the Divine. Each holds a unique place in Hindu symbolism and practices.

Certainly, educating students about hatred, racism, and bigotry is paramount, particularly in light of recent surges in hate crimes against Jewish and African American communities. Instances of Neo-Nazi symbols defacing Jewish homes and synagogues, often accompanied by brutal acts of violence, have seen an alarming uptick. Additionally, Hindus and Sikhs have also found themselves targeted by Neo-Nazis and sympathizers of Nazi ideology.

However, the task of combating bigotry and racism must not inadvertently fuel resentment against other religious minorities. This was precisely the concern of the Hindu community regarding the inclusion of the Swastika as a hate symbol in the New York bill, lacking the necessary context.

Swastika — A Sacred and Auspicious Symbol

The term “Swastika” originates from Sanskrit, derived from the roots “su” and “asti,” translating to “that which brings good luck and well-being.” The term “swasti” appears in the Vedas and throughout classical Hindu literature, as evidenced by the famous Rigveda Mantra:

Om Swasti Na Indro Vriddhashravah Swasti Nah Pusha Vishva-Vedah।
Swasti Nastarkshyoarishta-Nemih Swasti No Brihaspatirdadhatu॥

Translation — Om! May Indra, endowed with great speed, do well to us; may Pushan, knower of the world, do good to us; and may Tarkshya, who destroys enemies, do good to us! May Brihaspati, the Lord of Vedic knowledge or speech, grant us spiritual delight through the light of knowledge and wisdom.

Similarly, the Puranas, Upanishads, and other Hindu philosophical texts utilize the term for greetings, denoting all that is auspicious and sacred, among other meanings.

The Swastika’s simple yet profound design holds various interpretations. It symbolizes the movement of the universe, the four Vedas themselves, the fourfold goals of life (Dharma, Artha, Kama, Moksha), and the four stages of life, among others.

Hindus incorporate the Swastika into various aspects of life. It graces the entrances of our homes as a “welcome” sign and adorns our Mandirs (temples), both indoors and out. Some Hindus incorporate the Swastika into their yoga practice (asana) and meditation. During traditional head-shaving ceremonies (Mundan), a large Swastika is drawn on a child’s head as a symbol of auspiciousness. Likewise, during festivals such as Diwali, Navratri, etc., Hindus adorn their homes’ entrances and create Rangolis with Swastika motifs.

Buddhists and Jains also integrate the Swastika into various aspects of their lives. In Japan, Swastikas (known as Manji) can be found on street maps, temples, and other locations.

With over 1.5 billion people utilizing this symbol and its equivalents for various religious purposes, its significance is undeniable.

Swastika in American Culture

Prior to the controversy surrounding Swastika legislation, the knowledge of the extent to which the Swastika and its equivalents were used in American and global culture before World War II was limited. For example, the symbol adorned Boy Scouts paraphernalia, Coca-Cola products, hockey team uniforms, fashion accessories, and more.

Surprisingly, the United States boasted towns named Swastika. On September 23, 2020, the town of Swastika, New York opted to retain its name, citing the symbol’s auspicious origins in Hindu and Buddhist traditions. Another town, Swastika Acres in Colorado, changed its name in 2019 after 111 years. Additionally, a U.S. Army base in San Diego is shaped like a Swastika, and there is also a town named Swastika in Ontario, Canada.

In 1896, Thomas Wilson, a curator at the Smithsonian Museum, penned a compelling book titled “The Swastika: The Earliest Known Symbol, and Its Migrations: With Observations on the Migration of Certain Industries in Prehistoric Times,” wherein he explored the Swastika and similar symbols across various cultures worldwide, from ancient India to Europe, Latin America, and Australia.

Regrettably, these connections were overshadowed by World War II and the ensuing atrocities perpetrated by Hitler and the Nazis, which resulted in the murder of millions. Hitler’s emblem of hatred continues to evoke trauma, pain, and intimidation among Jewish Americans, fueling increased hate crimes in locations like New York and Pittsburgh, perpetrated by Neo-Nazis and white supremacists.

Did Hitler Use the Swastika as His Symbol?

Did Hitler truly adopt the Swastika, or was it something else entirely? Delving into history, we realize that the negative connotations associated with the Swastika didn’t arise from Hitler’s usage but rather from the conflation of the symbol he employed — the Hakenkreuz (meaning “hooked cross” in German) — with the Swastika. Overwhelming evidence supports this notion, as outlined below.

The “hooked cross” gained popularity in Germany after archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann discovered it at the ancient Troy site in 1872, subsequently linking it to similar symbols found in Germany and misinterpreting it as a symbol of their ancestors and a “master race” known as “Aryans.” This misinterpretation gained traction amid the rise of racial theories in nineteenth-century Europe. German nationalist groups began utilizing this symbol to propagate the notion of the “Aryan master race” and the German-Aryan connection.

Remarkably, German philologist Max Mueller cautioned against using the term “Swastika” outside of India in 1880, recognizing its Indian origin and the potential for misinterpretation. Nevertheless, the promiscuous use of the term persisted, resulting in the wrongful association of a symbol of peace and harmony with death and destruction.

The Hakenkreuz, not the Swastika, served as the source of Hitler’s Nazi emblem.

The Influence of Christianity and the German Language

To comprehend why Hitler chose the Hakenkreuz over other symbols, it’s crucial to examine its significance in Christianity and German language and literature. The hooked cross held profound meaning in Christianity, symbolizing Jesus’ triumph over death and persecution, evident across European churches and beyond.

Hitler’s upbringing in a devoutly Christian environment, particularly at a Catholic monastery, undoubtedly influenced his choice of the Hakenkreuz. Hitler’s ultimate goal was to usurp Christianity with a new state religion, and the Hakenkreuz was a means to that end.

The German language also played a pivotal role. Mein Kampf, Hitler’s manifesto, reveals his obsession with the symbolism of the Hakenkreuz, equating it with the “hook” or “crane” (Kranz) that delivers victory in battle, a sentiment echoed in Nazi propaganda.

As Hitler’s influence grew, the Hakenkreuz became synonymous with the Nazi Party. Hitler employed it to instill fear, establish dominance, and promote his genocidal ideology, employing it in the design of flags, banners, armbands, badges, and military insignia. Its ubiquity during the Nazi era indelibly linked the symbol with unspeakable atrocities.

The Hakenkreuz’s association with Hitler’s reign of terror irreparably tarnished its reputation, transforming it into an enduring symbol of hate, bigotry, and genocide.