The Swastik Symbol Of The Nazi Party

Today, the Swastika is a symbol of hatred, fear, and a memory of death, tears, and murder. However, before it became the symbol of the Nazi party, the Swastika has always had an innocent and a meaning that can be considered pleasant. Depending on the culture, religion, and even the area the usage and sometimes the definition of the Swastika. Though, not until Hitler and the Nazi party began using the symbol it did not have any negative connotations. Before the Nazi’s usage of the Swastika, the symbol had an innocent history. “Swastika” is a word that originates from the word “Svastika”, a Sanskrit word, meaning “conductive to well-being”. Civilizations as early as the ancient Greeks have used the Swastika; they used the symbol as something

When the Europeans came to North America, they began to adopt the symbol for the same reason of symbolism. Mainly, it was adopted by the cowboys in the west because of their common habit of gambling. For the gambling, it is convenient to have a symbol of good luck which is the believed reason why it became popular with the cowboys. This is why many popular companies started to incorporate the symbol into their logos . A variety of products contained the Swastika symbol. Cowboys gear were usually covered in the symbol, Western style bandanas, blankets, poker chips, bathrobes, hat pins, and many other products were made with the symbol. Even in advertising, the Swastika was commonly used. Though the Swastika had all this popularity and was used by many cultures and religions, its reputation was quickly ruined. “There are few ancient symbols that have been so dishonored. Yet at one time, the swastika simply meant good fortune and happy trails to the cowboy.” (Manns). The symbol ended up being ruined; its simple, innocent meaning becoming tarnished after the Nazi party began to incorporate it into their political party. Navajo and European usage of the Swastika was simply for good luck.

Adoption of the sign by the Nazi party ultimately changed the way people began to see the Swastika and still see it. No longer does it have that positive connection it once did. Quickly, the Swastika became a controversial sign of hatred and death. “Luck” was no longer associated with the Swastika even though it was the symbol’s original meaning. In fact, items, logos, and advertisement once containing the sign were destroyed almost as if they had poor luck connected to them. As a symbol, the Swastika has a history of innocence that became tarnished along the