The wan (卍 or 卐) symbol, also known as the swastika, from the Sanskrit, or the hakenkreuz (“hooked cross”), gammadion cross, or tetraskelion, legitimately conjures up feelings or fear or distaste in the West, given its appropriation by the Nazis.
In Asia, it has a long history as a geometric symbol originally seen as far back, certainly in Ancient China, to the Neolithic, where it was seen on Majiayao pots dating back 3,500 years, and in Ancient Greece and as part of the Buddhist, Jain and Hindu tradition in Ancient India, where it had the meaning of “well-being.” In Asia today, you will see the symbol on maps denoting the location of temples.
Strange, then, that when I see it tattooed onto the wrist of a man I am unsure as to where his sympathies lie. My partner instantly assumed it was association with Nazi doctrine. I was not so sure. I wasn’t going to ask him.
I was on the way back from a short trip to take a picture of a frog sculpture I had seen the previous day for the paper. I include the picture that I used because I like it. It is unrelated to swastikas.
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