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What was the meaning of the nazi swastika?
kiasu - she may have just got that from wiki...
"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." "In Christianity, the swastika is sometimes used as a hooked version of the Christian Cross, the symbol of Christ's victory over death" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastica#Pre-Christian_Europe
The symbol in itself means different things to different people... in hinduism it represent Brahma (creator god), in Buddism it represents dharma (universal balance) in Jainism it is the seventh saint (this list goes on)
As for Nazi Germany, it was used to represent the Aryan race (and ofcourse their superiority), and because of this use (and later usage by neo nazis and other hate groups) it has become a symbol of hatred in the western world and is banned in some places, it is still used in the east and especially in india where it is a sign of wealth and good fortune
It was taken to represent the Nazi's in Germany from the 1030's until the fall of the Nazi's in 1945.
It is still a symbol of hatred in many countries especially in Europe. So much so that in some countries it is actually a criminal offence to sell items with this symbol on and you will be arrested and charged just for making the nazi salute in public.
Such is still the general hatred of the Nazi's, Adolf Hitler and their murderous regime.
The symbol was taken from an old religios symbol from Asia although the Nazi's reveresed it.
nirvana12 answer saying that it stands for a twisted cross is pretty pathetic. It may be a twisted cross but it actually stands for the Nazi party, the most bloodthirsty and murderous regime in modern history.
And nirvana12 thinks its kind of cool to use it as a profile ID.
In my opinion, she must be one very sick and twisted puppy.
:(
Its meaning before Nazism was a positive one in various religions. I believe it usually turned to the right. So I agree with ty.
However, it has lost its innocent meaning in the west having been taken as a symbol by one of the most evil philosopies/regimes of the 20th Century. I don't think that, as a symbol, it can be redeemed now for people who understand that period.
But I wonder how much young people understand the significance of the Nazi period in 20th Century Germany? For example people don't really seem to understand the CND sign any more, so maybe the swastika symbol is becoming more generalised again and less hate-filled. I wonder if it's ignorance rather than 'sickness' that makes at least some people find it inoffensive?
Thanks Ty & Flossheal,
I think it is ignorance and some people think it is 'cool'.
I believe it is still used in the Hindu religion but in a mirror image. Clearly, it is not being used in this context by this member though.
I dont dispute the bent cross description but this is not what it represents. It was the reprentation of Nazi Germany during the Hitler regime and as such I find it repulsive that someone could use it in this manner.
I must say that I am surprised that Funadvice allow this as it is clearly offensive to some people to be used in this fashion.
Just my opinion.
:)
Take a look at these links about the nazi swastika, I think you'll find them interesting.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=FZ3V4VsvazE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tioTTtvmM&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up2A8JzD2WY&NR=1 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LEljS3ib84
it stands for a twisted cross
