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The Swastika

Definitions, Description & Origin

Page 2

               Quotations have been freely made, instead of sifting the evidence and giving the substance. The justification is that there has never been any sufficient marshaling of the evidence on the subject, and that the former deductions have been inconclusive; therefore, quotations of authors are given in their own words, to the end that the philosophers who propose to deal with the origin, meaning and cause of migration of the Swastika will have all the evidence before them.
        Assumptions may appear as to antiquity, origin, and migration of the Swastika, but it is explained that many times these only reflect the opinion of the writers who are quoted, or are put forth as working hypotheses.
        The indulgence of the reader is asked, and it is hoped that he will endeavor to harmonize conflicting statements upon these disputed questions rather than antagonize them.

I. Definitions, Description, and Origin.

DIFFERENT FORMS OF THE CROSS.

        The simple cross made with two sticks or marks belongs to prehistoric times. Its first appearance among men is lost in antiquity. One may theorize as to it's origin, but there is no historical identification of it either in epoch or by country or people. The sign is itself so simple that it might have originated among any people, however primitive, and in any age, however remote. The meaning given to the earliest cross is equally unknown. Everything concerning its beginning is in the realm of speculation. But a differentiation grew up in early times among nations by which certain forms of the cross have been known under certain names and with specific significations. Some of these, such as the Maltese cross, are historic and can be well identified.
        The principal forms of the cross, known as symbols or ornaments, can be reduced to a few classes, though when combined with heraldry its use extends to 385 varieties (1).
        It is not the purpose of this paper to give a history of the cross, but the principal forms are shown by way of introduction to a study of the Swastika.
        The Latin cross, Crux immissa, (fig.1) fig.1

is found on coins, medals, and ornaments anteriour to the Christian era. It was on this cross that Christ is said to have been crucified, and thus it became accepted as the Christian cross.
The Greek cross (fig.2) with arms of equal length crossing at right angles, is found on Assyrian and Persian monuments and tablets, Greek coins and statues.
The St. Andrew's cross, Crux decussata, (fig.3) is the same as the Greek cross, but turned to stand on two legs.

fig.2

ENDNOTES:

¹William Berry, Encyclopaedia Heraldica, 1825-1840 [Back]

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