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The Swastika

The Cross Among The American Indians

Page 110

and four are executed upon copper. With two exceptions, they are enclosed in circles, and hence are symmetrical Greek crosses, the ends being rounded to conform to a circle." (1) Figs. 7 and 9 of pl. 19 represent forms of the Latin cross, fig. 304

and are modern, having doubtless been introduced by European priests. Figs. 10 and 13 are representatives of the Swastika in some of its forms.
The U. S. National Museum possesses a small shell ornament (fig. 305) in the

form of a cross, from Lenoir's burial place, Fort Defiance, Caldwell County, N. C. collected by Dr. Spainhour and Mr. Rogan, the latter being an employé of the Bureau of Ethnology. It is in the form of a Greek cross, the four arms crossing at right angles and being of equal length. The arms are of the plain shell, while they are brought to view by the field being cross-hatched. The specimen has unfortunately, been broken, and being fragile has been secured in a bed of plaster.
This and the foregoing specimens have been introduced into this paper that the facts of their existence may be presented for consideration, and to aid in the determination whether the cross had any peculiar or particular meaning. The questions involuntarily arise, Was it a symbol with a hidden meaning, religious or otherwise; was it the

ENDNOTES:

1. Second Ann. Rep. Bureau of Ethnology, 1880ö81, pp. 272, 273. [Back]
H. Mis. 90, pt. 2-------------59

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