Pagans/Wiccans. Are you offended ?
Discussion Corner — By NikhilBhide on November 22, 2004 at 12:24Doug B asked:
Pagans/Wiccans. Are you offended by the Swastika?
If so why or why not?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika\
The swastika has an extensive history. The motif seems to have first been used in Neolithic Eurasia. The swastika is used in religious and civil ceremonies in Hindu countries (especially Nepal and India). Most Indian temples, entrance of houses, weddings, festivals and celebrations are decorated with swastikas. The symbol was introduced to Southeast Asia by Hindu kings and remains an integral part of Balinese Hinduism to this day, and it is a common sight in Indonesia. The symbol has an ancient history in Europe, appearing on artifacts from pre-Christian European cultures. It was also adopted independently by several Native American cultures
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17 Comments
I am not offended by the swastika when it is used as it was meant to be, but when it is used as a symbol to justify hatred and bigotry then I am offended!
The inverted form is offensive as it is almost always used as a ****** sign but the true form is fine.
I am very sad that the swastica was adopted by the *****. It has so much history and could be a powerful symbol, but now it’s steeped in **** and has been destroyed. ***** offend me, the swastica just makes me sad.
In the context of WWII and ****** and all that, yes, because of what it stood for at that time. In general, no. If it’s tattooed on a bald white guy, I avoid him.
The real meaning, as I understand it, is Thor’s crooked hammer swung in a circle.
I’m pretty thick-skinned, so the swastika itself doesn’t offend me. What it was used for during WW2 (and since) bothers me – the horrible acts that the ***** did, as well as the fact that they swiped an ancient symbol and corrupted it for most uses.
Only if used to represent nazism.
A symbol is just a symbol. Symbols mean nothing unless we give them the power to do so. ****** took this symbol and made it his own and we see this symbol today as a sign of ****. As you said in Hindu countries the symbol has a very different meaning.
The symbol itself doesn’t offend me, its what the ***** themselves symbolized and I don’t think that has anything to do with being pagan. I think that most people of most faiths feel that way.
No, the symbol does NOT offend me and I am staunchly pagan. But then, I know the symbols history. Yes it is true that it was used ( mores specifically MIS-used) for a brief period by the **** party, but simply becasue one groups mis-uses a symbol does not detract from it or it’s power. It’s misuse was unfortunate and a product of paranoia and propoganda. I have been known to use it on occasion as part of my owrk with the Norse Gods as it is a representation of both the power of the sun as well as the lightning strike of Thor’s hammer. Even with the negative energy from the **** era it is still a valuable symbol of sheer raw power. It isn’t onw that I would use or display openly, the world isn’t ready for that, but for private usage it is very powerful.
As some have said, I am only offended by the inverted one. It has been a symbol of good luck and is said to ward off evil. There are so many symbols who’s design has been ********* and used for a modern use that is the opposite of their original meaning. Pagan symbols are now Christian, Roman symbols are now Western. Everything has it’s own turnover.
im a wiccan. and no im not offended by the swastica. i actually kinda think its cool.
I am not offended by a symbol. It is a symbol and for me a symbol holds no power other than what I choose to give it.
Only in relationship to the Nazi’s. That use makes me angry on a gut level because of the things they did.
no, it’s history. how could anyone be offended by facts. except christians
The **** swastika is reversed from the Buddhist religious swastika. I’m not sure about Hindu or any other. Kisses BB
When using the Swastika in that way, it’s not offensive. But when you use it as a sign of Neo Nazism, then it’s offensive.
I am not offended by the Manji, which is what the modern swastika was before it got defiled.
A true Pagan is offended by nothing.