Describe the meaning of Swastika
The Swastika is a symbolic equilateral cross with characteristic bent arms at right angles, in clockwise (right) or anti-clockwise (left) direction. In particular, Swastika traces its meaning from the Sanskrit word that translates to ‘good fortune’ or ‘well-being.’ Archaeology evidence has linked the Swastika symbol to the Indus Valley Civilization, which resided in parts of India Early to Middle Bronze Age. The symbol later spreads to parts of Europe after the Christ era. (Freed & Freed,1980).While it is common for many people in the contemporary to associate Swastika with Nazi, the symbol is, in fact, synonymous (identical) with Hindus, Buddhists, and Jainas. Swastikas are highly regarded in the Hindu community as cultural, astronomical, and religious symbols.
Significance of Swastika in Hindu
Importantly, the Hindu community adopts Swastika symbol for multiple uses gggggggggggjhincluding ceremonial, decorative pattern or symbol, religious symbolism and astronomical significance. The Swastika is conspicuous in Hindu temples, signs, altars, pictures and iconography where it is sacred (Freed & Freed, 1980). The symbol is commonly found in the Hindu weddings, festivals, ceremonies, in the walls of houses and doormats, garments and jewellery, motor transport and decorations on food items such like the cakes and pastries. For religious purposes, the Hindus mark the opening pages of their account books, thresholds, doors, and offerings with Swastika. For ceremonies such as samskaras, the planetary deities (Graha) are commemorated using nine squares in a three by three pattern each symbolize particular gods (Mercury, Venus, Mars, Saturn and Jupiter). Also, Hindu astrology and planetary deities are inscribed in the alters with large Swastika and nine small one all in squares (Freed & Freed,1980). The temples alike are decorated with the swastikas, thereby underscoring the religious significance. In fire ceremonies, priests invoke the planetary deities to protect the male child from the evil spirits. While conducting birth and marriage rituals, the priest usually officiates the ceremonies with large Swastika drawn on the ground with coloured powders(Freed & Freed,1980). Also, in the same ceremonies, women occasionally inscribe the swastikas on the pots and walls of their houses. The wedding ceremonies are also not left out as swastikas representing the planetary deities are conspicuous in the decorations of garments, artefacts among other items. In this case, the swastikas may be drawn in simple lines rather than the squares.
How it is connected to myths and opinion of the culture in which it is found
The Swastika is linked to the sun and its yearly rotation as occasioned in its arms in clockwise rotation and sign of good luck and continuity (Freed & Freed, 1980). The Swastika is usually present in altars for fire rites where the planetary deities are invoked to protect newborns, especially the male child. The Graha usually the nine squares representing the deities are beseeched to intervene and save the life of a male newborn. It is believed that a child born under the sign of Mula Nakshatra will befall by bad lack and Graha may offer protection and when the child survives he is likely to have good fortunes(Freed & Freed,1980. Nakshatra includes the lunar mansion consisting of stars orbit near the path of the moon. According to Indian mythology, there is a connection between the Graha and Nakshatra. The lunar mansions were the daughter of Daksha who gave them to the moon as wives. Therefore, the union sired four offspring, namely Mercury, Venus, Mars and Jupiter –part of the Graha (Freed & Freed, 1980). In this case, Graha is an intermediary deity who negates the evil perpetrated by the Nakshatras.
Conclusively, Hindus underscore the religious, astronomical and cultural role of the Swastika in their lives. Swastika help to celebrate and augment wedding, birth, marriage and religious function. It also provides signs of hope and protection in times of adversity, such as the likelihood of death. Fate is seen in an astronomical significance where Graha is involved.
References
Freed, S. A & Freed, R. S. (1980).Origin of the Swastika: India have shed new light on an ancient symbol. Natural History, 89(S), pp 68-75.