Indians have used the symbol of swastika since time immemorial. Do you know what is Swastika? It is a historical and sacred symbol in several Indian religions. According to archaeological records, it first appeared around 2500 BC in the Indus Valley Civilization. And, it rose to greater importance in Buddhism during the time of the Mauryan Empire. The swastika symbol is one of the 108 symbols of Lord Vishnu and represents the sun’s rays, upon which life depends.

Meaning of Swastika Symbol

The direct meaning of Swastika is the sun’s symbol. We see in its representation of the sun god, Surya. An emblem pointing in all the four directions signifies grounded stability and used in most Hindu yantras, religious designs, and rituals. In Hindu sacred texts, the four sides of the symbol denote the four purusharthas, the four Vedas, the four varnas, the four dhams, the four ashrams or stages of life and the four gods—Brahma, Vishnu, Mahesh and Ganesh.

Origin of Swastika Symbol

The word ‘swastika’ originates from the Sanskrit words swa and asti, meaning ‘good luck’ and ‘well-being’. The name has other connotations as well, such as good wishes, blessings and good deeds. In Vedic literature, there are swastipatha known as swastivachan, which one should recite on auspicious occasions. The symbol of Swastika is chiefly used for well-being—shubha— and wealth—labha—by the Indian business community. Hindus as well as Jains use swatika since ancient times.

The swastika is an enlivened emblem that emanates divine vibrations for well- being

It is not just a religious symbol but also a potent scientific ensign that encompasses Mother Nature’s secrets. The symbol of swastika has the potency to draw divine power from the twenty-seven nakshatras or constellations and disperse it around. However, to obtain the desired result, we mark this symbol with a unique mixture of Gangajal, gomutra or cow’s urine, kumkum, turmeric and saffron. All these ingredients have disinfecting properties. It is sacred and vibrant.

For traditionally drawing the swastika symbol, one has to first draw a line from east to west; then crossing this line in the centre, another line is to from north to south. After this, we draw the symbol clockwise (as per the law of nature, the present moves to the future clockwise). The traditionally drawn swastika does not remain a mere symbol; it becomes an enlivened emblem that emanates divine vibrations for well- being. Sadly, today we draw this auspicious sign with chemically made kumkum and other unholy substances. No wonder the symbol seldom gives the desired result, because we do not observe the traditional science behind it; instead, we treat it as a mere religious routine.

Swastika Symbol in Jainism

Jainism also accords a great deal of prominence to the swastika. It is a symbol of the seventh jina or saint, Tirthankara Suparsva. In the Shwetambar Jain tradition, it is also one of the ashta mangalas representing the eight well-beings. It is one of the twenty-four auspicious marks and the emblem of the seventh arhat of the present age. All Jain temples and holy books must contain the swastika, and ceremonies typically begin and end by creating a swastika mark several times with rice around the altar.

Jains use rice to make a swastika—also known as sathiyo or sathiya in Gujarat—in front of statues in their temples. They put an offering on this swastika, usually a ripe or dried fruit, a sweet, and a coin or currency note. According to Jain thought, the four sides of the symbol represent the four stages of reincarnation. Interestingly, rural people of India use this ancient symbol in their folk art.

The swastika symbol – ‘The Heart’s Seal’.

The swastika symbol is probably stamped on Gautama Buddha’s chest by his initiates after his death. We know it as ‘The Heart’s Seal’. The swastika also figures on the pillars built by Ashoka. With the Silk Route transmission of Buddhism, the Buddhist swastika spread to Tibet and China. The swastika marks the beginning of many Buddhist scriptures, similar to Jain holy books.

The swastika symbol is one of the most common symbols

Surprisingly, the symbol of swastika is one of the most common symbols used in the world. A gold necklace with three swastika images found at Marlik in Iran dates back to the first millennium BC. The Japanese call the swastika manji. In Japan, Korea and Taiwan, tourist maps use this symbol to denote a temple. Buddhists use swastika in Buddhist temples in China.

The Hate Symbol in some parts of the world

In some parts of the Western world, this auspicious emblem is a ‘Hate Symbol’. Nazi Germany had adopted the swastika as its official emblem in 1935 under the leadership of Adolf Hitler. Modern Jews abhor the swastika as it defines with the Nazis who committed inhuman atrocities against them during World War II.