The Swastika
Sunday, August 8th, 2010
via bryanboy.com
Obviously, the Nazi’s were influential. Hitler was a great man– not a good man, but he was great, and terrible. A lot like Voldemort. Or Sauron. or Emperor Palpatine (to close the fictional circle).
Like celebrity sponsorship has proven, symbols begin associating with those who are great. Things they wear, hairstyles, fashions… become historically embedded into their existence. Hitler and his ‘stache, Mandela and his freedom fist up in the air, guidos and their fists pumping the air… etc.. For Nazis, the swastika has become their brand/logo/symbol– but for many others, the swastika retains an entirely different history.
Bryanboy recently posted on a “Nazi Buddha” temple in Taipei, Taiwan he spotted (it’s right outside Taipei, coming from the airport). The usual confusion ensued, hence “Nazi Buddha”, which is a laughable term in itself–
The swastika rose to importance through the spread of Buddhism during the Maurya Empire (321 – 185 BC) in ancient India. Expansion and trade lead the religion and symbol to Tibet and China. Interpreted as “ALL” or “ETERNITY”, the symbol can mark and/or protect temples, become a token of protection for children with the swastika sewn into their clothes, or even “vegetarian” on food products. The symbol can be used in either (counter/clockwise) direction. Its origin is thought to be in the Bronze Age, when it was referred to as the Sun Cross or Sun Wheel.
via wikipedia
Swastikas were not only used in Buddhist religion, however; many other religions used the same symbol, and it can be found all over the world. The story of the swastika in tandem with the idea of Aryan supremacy has always been marked by the 45 degree tilt.
As Brule would say, “For your health”
Graceee
