The Swastika
Significance Of the Swastika
The origin and early history of the Swastika are lost in antiquity. All the author has been able to find on these subjects is set forth in the preceding chapters.
It is proposed to examine the possible uses of the Swastika in an endeavor to discover something of its significance. The Swastika might have served:
I. As a symbol ---
1, of a religion,
2, of a nation or people,
3, of s sect with peculiar tenets;
II. As an amulet or charm ---
1, of good luck, or fortune, or long life,
2, of benediction, or blessing,
3, against the evil eye;
III. As an ornament or decoration.
It may have been {1} originally discovered or invented by a given people in a given country, and transmitted from one generation to the next, passing by migration from one country to another, and it may have been transmitted by communication to widely separated countries and among differently cultured peoples; or {2} it may have appeared in these latter countries by duplicate invention or by accident, and without contact or communication.
Positive evidence concerning its origin and earliest migration is not obtainable, and in its absence we are driven to secondary and circumstantial evidence. This will consist {1} of comparison of known facts directly concerning the subject; {2} of facts indirectly concerning it, and {3} reason, induced by argument, applied to these facts, presenting each truly, and giving to each its proper weight.
The possible migrations of the Swastika, and its appearance in widely separated countries and among differently cultured peoples, afford the principal interest in this subject to archæologists and anthropologists. The present or modern scientific interest in and investigation of the Swastika as a symbol or a charm alone are subsidiary to the greater question of the cause and manner o fits appearance in different countries, whether it was by migration and contact or by independent invention. In arguing this question, we must keep continually in mind the rules or reason and of logic, and neither force the facts nor seek to explain them by unknown, imaginary, or impossible methods. There must be no dogmatic assertions nor fanciful theories. If we assume certain migrations of the Swastika, we must consider those things which might have (or must have) migrated with it; and we must admit the means necessary to the assumed end.
The history of the beginning and first appearance of any of the forms of the cross is also lost in antiquity, and it would be hazardous for any person to announce positively their origin, either as to locality or time. The Swastika was certainly prehistoric in its origin. It was in extensive use during the existence of the third, fourth, and fifth cities of the site of ancient Troy, of the hill of Hissarlik; so also in the Bronze Age, apparently during its entire existence, throughout western Europe from the Mediterranean Sea to the Arctic Ocean. It continued in use in Europe during the Iron Age, and also among the Etruscans, Greeks, and Trojans. The name "Swastika," by which it is recognized today in all literature, is a Sanscrit word, and was in common use among the Sanscrit peoples so long ago that it had a peculiar or individual pronunciation in Pânini's grammar prior to the fourth century B. C. Some authorities are of the opinion that it was an Aryan symbol and used by the Aryan peoples before their dispersion through Asia and Europe. This is a fair subject for inquiry and might serve as an explanation how, either as a sacred symbol or charm, an amulet, or token of good wishes or good fortune, the Swastika might have been carried to the different peoples and countries in which we no find it by the splitting up of a the Aryan peoples and their migrations and establishment in the various parts of Europe. Professor Sayce is of the opinion that the Swastika was a Hittite symbol and passed by communication to the Aryans or some of their important branches before their final dispersion took place, but he agrees that it was unknown in Assyria, Babylonia, Phenicia, or among the Egyptians.
Whether the Swastika was in use among the Chaldeans, Hittities, or the Aryans before or during their dispersion, or whether it was used by the Brahmins before the Buddhists came to India is, after all, but a matter of detail of its migrations; for it may be fairly contended that the Swastika was in used, more or less common among the people of the Bronze Age anterior to either the Chaldeans, Hittites, or the Aryans. The additional facts in this regard have been set forth in the chapter on this subject and need not be repeated here.
The question should, so far as possible, be divested of speculation, and the evidence accepted in its ordinary meaning "without prejudice or preconceived opinion."
A consideration of the subject in the light of the material here collected develops the following questions:
{1} Was the Swastika, in any of its forms, the symbol of an ancient religion or philosophy, or was it only the sign of a particular sect, tenet, faith, or idea; or was it both?
{2} Was it a charm or amulet to be used by anyone which derived its value from the signification given to it?
{3} What lesson can be gathered from it concerning the early migrations of the reaches of man?
Examples illustrating these questions are to be found in history as well as in everyday life. The scarabæus of Egypt and Etruria was a symbol of eternity. The golden hoop on the lady's finger representing a snake swallowing its tail, is also a symbol of eternity. These
<< Previous Page Next Page >>
© 2004-2007 Northvegr.
Most of the material on this site is in the public domain. However, many people have worked very hard to bring these texts to you so if you do use the work, we would appreciate it if you could give credit to both the Northvegr site and to the individuals who worked to bring you these texts. A small number of texts are copyrighted and cannot be used without the author's permission. Any text that is copyrighted will have a clear notation of such on the main index page for that text. Inquiries can be sent to info@northvegr.org. Northvegr™ and the Northvegr symbol are trademarks and service marks of the Northvegr Foundation.
|