Swastika Necklace

Swastika Necklace

Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism

The symbol of the Swastika dates back to 3,000 BCE, and it symbolizes good luck, auspiciousness, and peace in Eastern traditions. The four points of the swastika stand for divinity, the cycle of rebirth, suffering, and liberation. The word swastika was derived from the Sanskrit word Svastika, meaning “conducive to well-being.” In its original intent, the swastika is a symbol that is featured as part of the temple structure; it is typically drawing in front of doors during ceremonies, and it is used as an iconography such as art and jewelry. However, during the rise of the Nazi rule in Germany, the swastika was adopted by the Third Reich to symbolize Aryan identity and nationalistic pride, which result in the popular misconception of associating swastika symbols found in temples and as jeweler item to Nazi Germany.

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Source: Nakagaki, T. K. The Buddhist Swastika and Hitler's Cross: Rescuing a Symbol of Peace from the Forces of Hate. Stone Bridge Press, Inc., 2018. 

Elizabethtown College (Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, USA)

Dr. William V. Puffenberger

Elizabethtown College retains all intellectual property rights to this image including, but not limited to, digital rights and any derivative works. For permission for reproduction, please contact the College’s Program Coordinator for Humanities.

Bronze Swastika pendant

Puffenberger #98

India