The auspicious symbol of the swastika is very commonly
used in Hinduism. It is usually a major part of the decoration for festivals
and special ceremonies like weddings. The word ‘swastika’ is a Sanskrit word
(‘svasktika’) meaning ‘It is’, ‘Well Being’, ‘Good Existence, and ‘Good Luck’.
However, it is also known by different names in different countries - like
‘Wan’ in China, ‘Manji’ in Japan, ‘Fylfot’ in England, ‘Hakenkreuz’ in Germany
and ‘Tetraskelion’ or ‘Tetragammadion’ in Greece.
The clockwise swastika is one of the 108 symbols of the
god Vishnu as well as a symbol of the sun and of the sun god Surya. The anti-clockwise
swastika (called a sauvastika) usually represents the terrifying goddess Kali,
night and magic. However, this form of the swastika is not “evil” and it is the
form most commonly used in Buddhism.
Vedas are possibly the oldest sacred texts and you find
mentions of Swastika in Rig Veda, Atharva Veda and even Yajur Veda. Swastika
has always been with the sanatan dharma. But when you do research on its
journey, you realise how this has been prevalent from ages in different
religion and civilizations. How and why did so many diverse countries and
cultures, across many eras, use the same symbol and apparently with the same
meaning, I do find it intriguing. In West, Swastika is now more associated with
Nazis and Hitler. But use of it can be seen long before that and by different
religion. What was common was the fact that everyone considered it as symbol of
good luck. And it do proves a point - Humanity brings every religion together.
