A history of the SWASTIKA – & what it actually means for Hindus

​Walking around the cities, towns and villages in India I couldn’t help but notice what appears to swastikas (Nazi Hakenkreuz) decorations painted and hanging on many doorways and alleys. Maybe its my Jewish heritage or perhaps my fervent need to know as much as possible about Hindu way of life, but I just had to dig deeper and find out what this symbol means for Hindus. Here’s what I found out–

History of the swastika

In Hinduism, symbols and geometry hold empowering significance as they connect the material world with the Divine. Among the many auspicious symbols revered by Hindus (think OM, Shiva Lingam, yantras, rudraksha, the snake, Shiva’s trident, the lotus…you can see a picture forming), the swastik(a) stands out as one of the most sacred and ancient.

It is believed the swastik originated in the ancient Indus Valley (India) up to 10,000 years ago and spread throughout the ancient world. Many cultures and religions created their own versions of the swastik (a few being the Chinese, Greeks, Native Americans) and used its positive energetic vibrations in spiritual worship and ritual, and to strengthen their relationship with the Divine.

For thousands of years Hindu people have used the swastik as a sacred symbol and it still features commonly in most households every day.

For a link to an old book written all about the swastika go HERE

Meaning of the swastika for Hindus

Derived from the Sanskrit word “svastik” meaning maker of goodness, good luck or wellbeing (sva meaning good and asti meaning prevail/exists and ka meaning to make) it also translates as pure and auspicious. It is believed that a person who regularly uses the swastik in daily rituals and worship will be bestowed good luck, well-being, peace, harmony and positivity.

In fact, for many Hindus, the swastik is used in every household ritual (puja). It is commonly made of sindoor or kumkum (red powders). The symbol of the swastika is believed to bring power and shakti to the house. Its shape releases positive energy particles that provide spiritual protection and remove obstacles and negstive energies.m

There are several theories (as expected!) as to what the lines on the swastika could possibly represent, however most theories have some sort of tie to the natural world and the forces at work inside it –

1. No matter what angle you view the swastik from, it always looks the same. For this reason, it is considered a symbol of the sun. According to Hindu belief, the way the sun rises every morning without fail and then always sets in the evening is like the way the swastik symbol never loses its form, both represent the concept of infinity.
2. The swastik signifies continuous​ progress and holds the ability to never change.
3. Its arms, bent at right angles, symbolise the eternal cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction.
4. The four arms of the swastik that bend towards the right are a symbol of the God Vishnu (108^th) and the Sun, while if reversed to face toward the left the arms represent Kali and Magic. Goddess Kali is a deity known for her protective and destructive forces.
5. The four arms that bend towards the right also represent the never-ending birth cycle, when a circle is drawn around the swastika, it represents Surya the Sun God – the ultimate source of light, heat, and energy for the universe.
6. Together with Lord Ganesha (the elephant headed God), the remover of obstacles, it is considered an embodiment of prosperity and good fortune.
7. The swastik encapsulates the divine vibrations of the most sacred sound of Aum. In Hindu philosophy, Aum is considered the cosmic sound, representing the ultimate reality, consciousness, and existence. The swastik, with its distinct arms and angles, visually embodies the vibrational patterns of Aum.
8. The four branches of the Swastik are believed to represent the fourfold principles of divinity

Dharma: Morality and righteousness

Artha: Wealth and prosperity

Kama: Love, pleasure, and psychological values

Moksha: Liberation, spiritual values, and self-realization

9. The swastik represents the four-faced Lord Brahma who imparts holy knowledge in all four directions.
10. It denotes the four Vedas – the Rig Veda, Sama Veda, Yajur Veda, and Atharva Veda.
11. It signifies the four stages of life, namely Brahmacharya (life of a student), Grihastha (House-holder), Vanaprastha (retired), and Sannyasa (life of renunciation).
12. The four Varnas (class or caste) – Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaishya, and Shudra.
13. The four main directions, North, South, East, and West. The central point of the Swastik is believed to represent the navel of Lord Vishnu, from which Lord Brahma was born.
14. The four Yugas (a cyclical age of humanity measured by spiritual wisdom) – Kali Yuga (now), Dvapara Yuga, Treta yuga & Satya Yuga.
15. The swastik is one of the 16 sacred marks on the feet of the Supreme God, Narayan, according to the Puranas (ancient Hindu scriptures. In the Padma Purana, Brahma talks of these signs and the swastik is part of the eight special signs on the right foot, making the swastik a symbol of Divinity.
16. It represents the north pole and the rotational movement of the earth around its axis.
17. It may have been created to represent the belief that the cosmos was pulled by four heavenly horses who were known to revolve around a fixed centre point in a clockwise rotation.

Sister words and their meanings

In the same family of words “swasthya” is a Hindu term that translates as the universal condition of harmony and balance. A profound cosmic order and alignment of the universe that embodies the health and prosperity of all beings, all eco systems, and all forces that govern the universe. It means Equilibrium and Harmony. And the term “swadharma” describes the importance of excelling in our chosen spiritual path every day. It is the discipline, perseverance, and committed action required to embrace a life in accoradance with your inherant skills and talents. In other words, living a life true to yourself.

How Hindus use the swastika

The power of the swastik lies in its positive energy (shakti), balance and simplicity, it is best drawn near the entrance of a home or at a place of worship. Placing a swastik at the entrance ensures all that go inside receive good luck, wellbeing and prosperity.

For a short video on the energetics of the swastika go HERE

Swastik symbols are important for successful puja, ceremonies, and festivals. It is common to draw a swastik with holy powders on the right-hand ring finger, on a Kalash (pot), in the puja area, and even on participants. Before commencing a puja, it is drawn to invoke divine blessings. Some variations include dots between the swastik’s arms, believed to enhance its spiritual power.

It is such a shame that the swastik was corrupted in the past. It is important to remember, the corrupted one is tilted 45dgs to the right which totally changes its vibrational energy, it is even more important to acknowledge the positive auspicious energy the Hindu swastik has bestowed and continues to bestow on so many Hindus throughout the world today. It truly is a magical sacred symbol of our intimate connection with nature and the Divine.