By Bobby Darvish, Iranian-American Ex-Muslim, Former Vegan, Former Democrat, Former Socialist, Former CAIR-Columbus Executive Director, Former Muslim Forum of Utah President, Christian Conservative LDS Priest
The swastika is one of the most ancient and sacred symbols in human history, originating from the Aryan (Iranian) religious traditions long before its perversion by the Nazis. To equate the swastika solely with Nazism is not only historically ignorant but also an injustice to the millions of Hindus, Zoroastrians (Parsis), and Buddhists who continue to use this sacred emblem in their religious and cultural traditions. In this article, we will explore the true origins of the swastika, its deep-rooted presence in Indo-Iranian and Indo-European cultures, and how its hijacking by Hitler’s regime has led to widespread misconceptions in the West.
Ancient Aryan Origins of the Swastika
The swastika originates from the ancient Indo-Iranian (Aryan) civilizations, appearing in artifacts dating back over 5,000 years. It was used extensively in Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and later Buddhism as a representation of cosmic order, divine protection, and good fortune. The term "swastika" itself derives from the Sanskrit su (meaning "good") and asti (meaning "it is"). In Hinduism, it remains a prominent religious symbol, often drawn at the entrances of homes and temples to bring prosperity and ward off evil.
In Zoroastrianism, the ancient Iranian religion founded by the prophet Zoroaster, the swastika was a symbol associated with Ahura Mazda, the supreme god of wisdom and light. Archaeological evidence shows the use of the swastika in pre-Islamic Iran, particularly among the Scythians, Sarmatians, and Parthians—Aryan tribes who revered it as a sign of spiritual power and divine favor (Boyce, Mary. Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices, 1979).
The Swastika in Hindu and Buddhist Traditions
In Hinduism, the swastika remains an essential symbol representing Lord Vishnu and the sun god Surya. It is commonly drawn during religious ceremonies, festivals, and weddings. The left-facing swastika (sauvastika) represents Goddess Kali and is associated with destruction and transformation, while the right-facing swastika symbolizes harmony, prosperity, and creation (Frawley, David. The Vedic Aryans and The Origins of Civilization, 2001).
Similarly, Buddhism adopted the swastika as a sign of Buddha’s footprints and the eternal cycle of rebirth. It is prominently displayed in temples and scriptures across East Asia, reinforcing its widespread religious significance far removed from any Western misinterpretations.
The Nazi Perversion of the Swastika
The association of the swastika with Adolf Hitler’s National Socialist regime is a tragic distortion of its original meaning. Inspired by 19th-century German nationalist movements that romanticized an “Aryan” identity, the Nazis co-opted the symbol and turned it into an emblem of racial supremacy and genocide. However, the Indo-Iranian Aryans of history were not the same as the Nazis' fictionalized "Aryan race" of blond-haired, blue-eyed Germans.
Hitler’s regime deliberately misused ancient Indo-European symbology to justify its racial policies, causing the swastika to be demonized in the West. This erasure of its true spiritual and historical significance is a loss for world heritage and an insult to the millions of Hindus, Buddhists, and Zoroastrians who have used the symbol for centuries (Goodrick-Clarke, Nicholas. The Occult Roots of Nazism, 1985).
The Western Misunderstanding and Cultural Suppression
Since the end of World War II, Western institutions, particularly in Europe and the United States, have banned the swastika without distinction between its sacred and Nazi uses. This is a form of cultural erasure, especially for diaspora communities of Hindus, Parsis, and Buddhists, who are often forced to justify their traditional use of the swastika against accusations of promoting fascism.
In contrast, in countries like India, Japan, and Thailand, the swastika remains a revered religious icon. Even in Iran, remnants of the ancient symbol can still be found in pre-Islamic Zoroastrian sites, though its public use has been diminished due to Islamic influence and Western misconceptions.
Reclaiming the Swastika for Its True Meaning
It is imperative for Christian conservatives and all historically conscious individuals to recognize the difference between the ancient swastika and the Nazi emblem. Just as the cross was misused by groups like the Ku Klux Klan but remains sacred to Christianity, the swastika should not be condemned solely due to its Nazi appropriation. Instead, it should be understood and respected in its proper religious and historical contexts.
By educating ourselves and others, we can ensure that this sacred Aryan (Iranian) emblem is not permanently tainted by a short-lived 20th-century atrocity but is instead restored to its rightful place in human civilization.
Conclusion
The swastika is not inherently a Nazi symbol; it is an ancient Indo-Iranian and Indo-European emblem of spiritual power, used for millennia by Hindus, Parsis, and Buddhists. To vilify it without understanding its origins is to participate in cultural suppression and historical ignorance. As conservatives who value heritage and truth, we must push back against such distortions and advocate for a nuanced understanding of world history.
Citations:
Boyce, Mary. Zoroastrians: Their Religious Beliefs and Practices. Routledge, 1979.
Frawley, David. The Vedic Aryans and The Origins of Civilization. Voice of India, 2001.
Goodrick-Clarke, Nicholas. The Occult Roots of Nazism. Tauris, 1985.
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