How Does The Jain Swastik Differ From The Symbol Of Hate?

Written by Rihi Jain and Suryaraj Jain

No one is a stranger to symbols in today’s world. From traffic signs to chemical labels, and from punctuation marks to emojis, so much can be conveyed with the use of a single icon. The most powerful and ingrained symbols in modern society lead to an almost instantaneous association with a name, idea, or action — religious symbols are one prominent example.

Religious Symbols

Religious symbols typically hold a unique meaning in different religions, even if they look identical or close-to-identical at face value. Some symbols represent peace or prosperity, while others might mark an important historical event. A few examples are displayed below.

Figure 1. Prominent symbols from various world religions.

There are several significant symbols in Jainism, with the hand of Ahimsa and the Ashta Mangal (a set of eight auspicious symbols) being widely displayed and recognized. Another Jain symbol is the Swastik — perhaps one of the most important, yet most misunderstood, symbols in the world today.

Figure 2. The Swastik can be found in the Jain Prateek Chihna, which is the official symbol of Jainism. (Source)

Since World War II, the Swastik has been notoriously perceived as a symbol of hatred. The symbol and its meaning were wrongly twisted (literally and figuratively) over time, eventually being used by Nazi dictator Adolf Hitler in the 1920s.¹ However, the use of the Swastik as a religious and cultural symbol can be traced back to at least 500 BCE, in the Indian subcontinent, where it was used by Jains, Hindus, and Buddhists, alike.²

What is the Difference?

Figure 3. The Jain Swastik (left) differs from the Nazi Swastik (right) both in its physical and cultural attributes. (Source, Source)

Both symbols harbor some visual differences: the Nazi Swastika is a tilted version of that used in the South and East Asian traditions. Some Nazi propaganda also featured a flipped version of the tilted symbol (imagine reflecting the symbol on the right about its y-axis). The Jain Swastik, as shown on the left, is depicted in an upright position (unless it is tilted for style or design).³ It can be presented with or without the four dots shown.

Moreover, the name for this symbol varies in spelling and pronunciation. In Western cultures, one often sees the term “Swastika” (sw-aah-sti-kah) used, whereas the true Sanskrit-to-English transliteration leads to the term “Swastik” (su-was-tick). That said, the true and more meaningful distinction lies in what this symbol represents.

Its Meaning

In Sanskrit, “Swastik” can be broken down into “Su” (good) and “asti” (to exist) — the meaning of the word, therefore, becomes “all is well.” Hence, the Swastik represents auspiciousness and good fortune. Jains often make use of this symbol when embarking on a significant endeavor, starting an important event in life, or beginning a spiritual activity or ritual. For example, Jains often start Pujäs (religious ceremonies) by drawing a Swastik on certain vessels in which materials are kept. It is also customary for Jains in India to draw Swastiks on their front doors when commemorating the Jain New Year to attract good health and positivity in the coming months.

Figure 4. The Swastik is a central symbol in Hinduism, as well. Here, a Hindu devotee draws one onto a plate in preparation for a religious ceremony. (Source)

Swastiks have a more technical and philosophical meaning in Jainism, as well. Each of the dots (four total) depicted between each “arm” represent the four destinies that a soul faces when trapped in the cycle of birth and death. These destinies, known as Gatis, are as follows: Svarga (heaven), Narak (hell), Manushya (human), and Tiryanch (plants or animals).

Jains often form Swastiks out of rice when at the temple, creating illustrations known as Säthiyos. This practice reminds one of the ultimate goal in Jainism, which is to liberate the soul from the cycle of reincarnation to achieve permanent bliss by striving for spiritual progress. Learn more about Säthiyos by watching the two-minute video linked here.

Figure 5. Some Säthiyo patterns can be simple… (Source)

Figure 6. … while others can be complex! The design above features the use of colored rice, often seen in Säthiyos made during significant festivals and celebrations. (Source)

How Did It Get Misconstrued?

So, how did a symbol meaning auspiciousness and good fortune come to symbolize the opposite? In the 1870s, German archaeologist Heinrich Schliemann thought he had found the ancient Greek city of Troy, and uncovered more than 1,800 remains marked with the Swastik during the excavation. Since the symbol was also independently found among the archaeological remains of the Germanic tribes, it didn’t take long for Germans of the time to jump to the conclusion that both they and the Greeks were descendants of an advanced, superior Aryan race marked by the Swastik.⁴ (Note that the Swastik was a part of cultural and religious iconography around the world, having been used in Asian art, Greek currency, stylized Christian crosses, and in other forms.)⁵

The idea of racial superiority, and eventually anti-Semitism, built the basis for Adolf Hitler’s notorious political agenda. The horrors of World War II, tied to Hitler’s Swastika, forever affected the connotation of the visually similar Swastik in the minds of millions around the world — into the present day. As a result, many Jains, Hindus, and Buddhists (especially outside South Asia) refrain from displaying the Swastik outside their homes and incorporating the Swastik into their religious practice in fear of being victim to societal misunderstanding.

What Can We Do?

Unfortunately, history has dishonored the meaning of the Swastik, leaving its original meaning in the past. When society as a whole fails to recognize these roots, people’s perceptions towards the Swastik remain tarnished by their knowledge of the Nazi Swastika. The next time a friend, family member, or coworker incorrectly jumps to the conclusion that the Swastik is a hate symbol, we urge you to explain its difference from Hitler’s symbol and shed light on its true origin. Ask them to reflect: Why should Jains, Hindus, and Buddhists be afraid to display a religious symbol tied to their people and faith’s history?

By educating ourselves and those around us, we can help prevent the spread of misinformation and rectify incorrect perceptions about the Swastik. We implore you to join us in doing the same!

If anything in this article has offended you or gone against the teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir, we sincerely ask for forgiveness. Michhami Dukkadam!

Sources

¹ https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/history-of-the-swastika
² https://www.asianstudies.org/publications/eaa/archives/the-past-present-and-future-of-the-swastika-in-japan/
³ http://umich.edu/~umjains/jainismsimplified/chapter04.html
⁴ https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/how-nazis-twisted-the-swastika-into-a-symbol-of-hate
⁵ https://www.britannica.com/story/how-the-symbolism-of-the-swastika-was-ruined