The swastika’s original meaning is as an ancient symbol of 

good fortune, well-being, and prosperity, derived from the Sanskrit word “swastika”. It is a sacred symbol in religions like Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, representing things such as the sun, auspicious footprints of the Buddha, and spiritual teachers. The Nazis later appropriated it as a symbol of racial hatred, a meaning that has become dominant in the West. 

Original meaning and use

• Origin: The symbol is very old, with some evidence suggesting it dates back 6,000 years to rock and cave paintings.
• Sanskrit meaning: The name comes from the Sanskrit word svastika, which means “good fortune” or “well-being”.
• Religious symbolism:
  • In Hinduism, it can represent the sun, prosperity, and good luck.
  • In Buddhism, it represents the auspicious footprints of the Buddha.
  • In Jainism, it is a symbol for Suparshvanatha, a Tirthankara (a spiritual teacher).
• Widespread use: The swastika was used as a symbol of good luck across many cultures for thousands of years, including in ancient European and Asian traditions. It was found on artifacts and buildings in many parts of the world before the 20th century. 

Modern interpretation

• Nazi appropriation: In the 1930s, the German Nazi Party adopted a tilted, black swastika as its emblem, linking it to their ideology of Aryan supremacy.
• Association with hate: Due to its use by the Nazis and the atrocities committed during the Holocaust, the swastika is now overwhelmingly viewed as a symbol of hate, antisemitism, and white supremacy in the Western world.
• Dual meaning: It remains an important and positive symbol for many religious and cultural groups, particularly in Asia, while in the West it is almost universally recognized as a hate symbol.