What is the history of the Nazi symbol?

Answer 1

== == I don't think there can be a 100% guaranteed accurate answer, as the symbol which we know as the Nazi swastika has been around for hundreds, possibly a thousand years.

It appears that this seemingly universal symbol has had multiple origins at widely dispersed [both locale and time-wise], non-related locations around the world. I do not recall whether, or not, the swastika was a pre-Nazi historical symbol of Germanic history, or was newly adopted by the Nazi regiem from existing world-wide graphic symbols. I will continue to monitor this question in the hope that someone with specific knowledge will provide a more definitive answer. True. The symbol was used by the American Indians. During World War 1, one of the American squadrons had an Indian head for its aircraft markings, which had a small swastika on the headress. Prior to World War 2, the shoulder patch insignia for US 45th Infantry Division was a RED diamond(or square rotated 90 degrees) with a YELLOW swastika. After US declared war on Germany, the swastika was replaced with an Indian THUNDERBIRD. Archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates from the Neolithic period. An ancient symbol, it occurs mainly in the cultures that are in modern day India and the surrounding area, sometimes as a geometrical motif (as in the Roman Republic and Empire) and sometimes as a religious symbol. It was long widely used in major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

Addendum: The the essential shape/symbol we know as the swastika is actually prehistoric & known/used by cultures all over the world. It is thought by some that it may have been inspired by the rotating sparks that flew from the fire-drill tool used by primitive Man to start campfires. Its historically ancient metaphysical symbol/symbolic sense included representing the alchemical Four Forces (Earth, Air, Fire, Water) rotating from East to West in creating & maintaining the World. Whatever, the word comes from the Sanskrit svastika, which basically means "well-being" (as understood so by the sages & mystics of ancient India). Until Hitler & the Nazis co-opted it as their emblem, it was believed & seen as a good luck symbol; and it's sad that it will never be seen again as anything but a symbol of evil because of their perverted use. It is well known that many of the high-ranking Nazis were into a lot of pseudo-mystical ideas & beliefs & so probable they adopted it as their "magic" symbol for good luck; however, they twisted the symbol to affect turning counter, as they believed they were going to reverse the Order & establish a new one. Fortunately, the Cosmic Order will not tolerate being messed with so, regardless of reasons, methods or beliefs. I'ts just sad - and amazing - that as the supposed most inteligent species on this planet we are so tragically slow to learn this...

Answer 2

The swastika has been used for at least 4000 years across Asia and parts of Europe. It was in use by the ancient Greeks and Celts, in addition to the Jainists, Buddhists, and Hindus. It often represented God, the Earth, or even the universe itself. In the early 20th century, the swastika became a good luck symbol in Europe. Subsequently, the Nazi Party adopted the swastika as its symbol in 1920 to utilize its popularity. They used the same strategy in naming their party the National Socialist Party. Although they were aggressively anti-socialist, it was a popular movement among the youth at the time and they decided to use it for their own ends.

Answer 3

The swastika is a 3,000 year-old symbol, which even predates the Egyptian Ankh.
Artifact from the city of Troy have the symbol, which date to 1000 BC. It spread through Asia and Southern Europe, and has even been found on Native American artifacts. The actual name comes from the ancient language Sanskrit, a word called svastika, meaning "Good To Be", with 'Ka' as a suffix. It has also represented life, the sun, good luck, power, and strength. The Germans began to use it in the 1800's, when they began to rise as a country. It became a symbol of unity and power for the German people. By the end of the 19th Century, the swastika could be found on periodicals and was the official emblem of the German Gymnast's League. Finally, in 1920, Hitler decided that the Nazi party needed a symbol and a flag, and on August 7th, 1920, at the Salzburg Congress, it became the official symbol of the Nazi Party. Because of the Nazis, the symbol of good luck, life, and power, soon became the symbol of hate, violence, and murder.

Answer 4

I don't know it exactly, but there are simial symbols in other cultures. Im Buddhism, for example, it is a symbol for peace and wealth, if I'm remembering right. But the difference is the direction of the 'arms' of the cross, Hitler turned them and made it to a 'symbol of destruction'.