fylfotfile

Origins of the Swastika

The origin of the Swastika is shrouded in the mists of antiquity and it would be exceedingly difficult to ascertain its first usage, whether in terms of place, period, or purpose. It may well be that there was no single place of origin. On the one hand, there is the Diffusionist theory, which suggests that the Swastika was devised by primitive Aryans in the Indian sub-continent many millennia ago, and spread from there to other civilisations. On the other hand, it is quite possible that it developed independently within other cultures in that early period. This is the Polygenetic theory. The ubiquity of the Swastika has been explained by its being such a simple shape; it was almost inevitable that it would have occurred or developed at some point in time.  [see 8 May post]

Seals from the Indus Valley culture of Mohenjo Daro (located in modern Pakistan) have been found with the shape in both left and right-facing forms, dating to the second half of the 3rd millennium BC.  In these papers we refer to them as ‘verso’ and ‘recto’ forms. These examples from Pakistan are now preserved in the British Museum, and they are some of the oldest found.  Both ‘verso’ and ‘recto’ forms were also found on hundreds of objects at Hissarlik in modern Turkey, the presumed site of ancient Troy, dating to the 2nd or 1st millennium BC.  

This does not answer the question of what the symbol is, or what this shape once signified in the minds of these ancient civilisations. There have been many theories as to the Swastika’s ultimate origins, one of the most enduring and likely of which is that it began as a sun symbol: the Swastika is a stylised representation of the sun, turning across the sky and around the earth.  It may have developed directly from the wheel, or separately but alongside it, to represent the same concept of motion. While no one can be certain about the development from the wheel and/or sun disk to the Swastika, there was probably a sufficient confluence of ideas and associations to make this likely (see below).

Development of Swastika

A pattern of possible development from the world wheel/sundisk to the angular form of the Swastika

Signs and Symbols

A sign is a mark or device having some special meaning or import attached to it, whether appearing on a banner or shield, or some other context.  On the other hand, a symbol is something that stands for, represents, or denotes something else, not by exact resemblance but by indistinct suggestion.

Whereas a sign is associated with objective, empirical thinking, a symbol is associated with emotional and existential levels of human operation. A symbol suggests or generates an aspect of life where the number of possible interpretations is infinite, and eludes all attempts of the human intellect to fix or establish one single meaning.  

The Swastika is a sign, symbol and much else. Its significance has varied greatly from time to time and place to place. It should be remembered that signs are only meaningful by convention. We may call them intrinsic symbols, as they have a built-in resemblance to what they signify. Furthermore, the connection between sign and referent is also a matter of convention. For example, in the West, white signifies Purity, whereas in the East it signifies Death.  

Accordingly, when looking at the Swastika, we have to recognise that this almost universal device or motif can have a great variety of referents, depending on the culture in which they originated, or the host culture into which they were imported.

When we come to look at crosses in general, we find a great variety of uses and types of imagery. In addition to those images that may be defined as signs or symbols, there are also emblems and logotypes (see below).

 The Dublin Swastika Laundry van

INTRODUCTION TO: THE FYLFOT FILE

Why has the term ‘Fylfot’ been adopted for this study? The question might as well be posed, “When is a Swastika not a Swastika?” The answer is simply that one common geometric form has aggregated to itself many different connotations and meanings depending on a host of variable factors, across time and space. So a symbol that may appear to be a Swastika at first glance might be something quite different in origin and meaning.

This simple geometric device goes back through the mists of time to man’s early development. Some basic designs were discovered or created far back in prehistory and were probably connected with the elemental psychological functions of early man (fig. 1).

Unfortunately, there is no one generic term we can use that is psychologically neutral, and entirely devoid of emotive overtones. The Swastika was used as a ‘good luck’ symbol in ancient India, and spread by various means to neighbouring countries in the East. Similar geometric constructions have been found in many parts of the world. Many examples of this device have local names and distinctive usage.
In the West alone the history of this group of signs and symbols has been extremely complex. There has been a distinct interplay of sacred and secular usage originating from the Greco-Roman world, together with imports from Scandinavian, Celtic and other cultural groups.

Purpose

This book seeks to introduce the reader to this distinctive geometric device, the Fylfot, in a clear and objective manner. It is not an encyclopaedia, nor does it purport to provide an exhaustive study of a symbol that is found virtually worldwide, appearing as it does in so many places over thousands of years. It deals with the origin and significance of this device and its allied symbolism as it occurs within the British Isles. Some instances of its usage are indigenous, whereas others are clearly imported from other countries and cultures over many centuries, if not millennia.

Early signs and symbols

We aim to help all you level-headed people out there to see how the Swastika and sanity can be held together conceptually and practically.

Our expert team of researchers, with their encyclopedic resources, will endeavour to address key issues as they arise during 2009.

We will be publishing on this BLOG, on FORUMS, in ARTICLES and on our dedicated WEBSITE.

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