Ancients --swastika?

What is the meaning of the swastika in ancient times? I know of its connection to early Buddhism but know little of its ancient origins pre-Christ.

 

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It is a Sanskrit word and the symbol itself can be traced back to neolithic times. It has meaning not only to Buddhism, but also Hinduism and Jainism too. I am sure you could lean much simply by googling and wading through the unfortunate modern (Western) uses.

 

I read where it was a symbol representing the sun

 

Perhaps the Nazis actually did have a time machine..

 

Not cool, Josh; I believe this gentleman was hoping for a serious and mutually beneficial discussion.

 

Until World War I, the swastika was a symbol of good luck, and appeared on many New Years' picture postcards. American Indians also used the device on pottery and blankets.

See this December 2013 thread for more discussion:
http://www.cointalk.com/threads/early-19th-c-tokens.239917/#post-1833604

 

It's true...even the US Army's 45th Infantry Division had a swastika as their insignia until the mid-1930s. It was a tribute to the Native Americans that had in the Oklahoma region where the unit was based.

 

And here it is:



Wikipedia: "Before the 1930s, the division's symbol was a red square with a yellow swastika, a tribute to the large Native American population in the southwestern United States."

 

here's an ancient swastica on the reverse of this indo-greek coin, just above the lion...kind of hard to see ( 2nd century bc).



obverse with elephant..

 

Great coin, chrsmat71

=> here is another example, my friend ...

 

Unfortunately, whenever I see someone affiliated with a swastika, I believe them to be sympathetic to Nazis. Collect coins with a swastika? Nazi. Ancient piece of pottery with a swastika? Nazi. There are so many other things to collect, admire, etc, I just cannot get it out of my head that if you choose to own something with a swastika, you're a Nazi.

 

Like those Nazi Kachina dolls, or Nazi Bhudda statues?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika

 

Well, that's an unfortunate assumption to make about people. The swastika existed far earlier than its adoption by the Nazis, but now it somehow only belongs to them? The fact is, it is a symbol that has been present in multiple cultures for hundreds (if not thousands) of years, and the fact that you immediately associate anyone who collects coins on which it is present as a Nazi sympathizer completely ignores it's historical context and significance.

 

I thought my wording was very obviously laying on the sarcasm thick. Thickly.

 

Thanks for clarifying that, it is a bit tough to read intonation over the internet.

 

Youre obviously both Nazis.

 

You already mentioned that psychological problem of yours before. Must admit that, when I read about people who collect German coins "but only nazi pieces with a swastika", I wonder about their motivation. But in this case ... I mean, various people just showed how and why the swastika was or is used in different contexts and with a different meaning.

Christian

 

Christians a Nazi too.