Spring Break
Symbol has history pre-Nazis
Campus group teaches Swastika's peaceful past
By: Nick Badger
Issue date: 2/4/08 Section: News
Many people have a negative conotation of the swastika because it represents Nazis. In the Hindu culture, however, that is not the case - the Hindu swastika is actually a symbol for well-being. The Hindu Students Council arranged for a Swastika Awareness presentation to take place Friday in hopes to change this misconception.
The officers of the council sponsored the presentation in response to an incident that happened in 2007, which involved a Jewish student's door being vandalized with a swastika.
"Last year, we were not prepared to help educate the students about the true meaning of the swastika. That is why we waited until this year when we could get a few speakers," said Ramya Rari, president of the HSC and a senior biomedical engineering major.
The swastika dates back to the Neolithic period in ancient India. It has been used by many different cultures, but it always had a positive meaning related to well-being. The negative connotation arose when the German Nazi Party began using the symbol as its logo.
"The swastika that Hitler used is a little different," said Dr. Kumund Tripathy, a Bryan oncologist. "It is slanted and black, while the Hindu swastika most of the time will be red."
The swastika symbol can mean many things. It can be the four stages of life, the four arms of Vishnu or the four cardinal directions.
"The directions it follows, and the colors it uses actually means the four directions, coming from North, East, South and West," one of the speakers said. "So this actually symbolizes the god of the sun."
The Hindu religion frequently uses the swastika on many things such as wedding invitations, jewelry and temples to encourage well-being. But when in America, many Hindus are not comfortable displaying their swastikas.
"The world is a global village, so we have to educate each other, and learn to live in peace," said Dr. Mahendra Thakrar.
This was essentially the goal of the swastika presentation, Rari said.
"I hope that this was our little step that will help you eradicate misconceptions of the swastika and educate other people about the symbol," Rari said. "Know that you don't have to be ashamed to explain to them. It's our symbol."
While the majority of the students in attendance were members of the Hindu Students Council, there were other students who came on their own to learn more about the history of the swastika.
"I liked learning about the real meaning behind the swastika and its origins and the powerfulness of what it means to the Hindu people," said Rachel Einhorn, a sophomore telecommunications and media studies major.
The officers of the council sponsored the presentation in response to an incident that happened in 2007, which involved a Jewish student's door being vandalized with a swastika.
"Last year, we were not prepared to help educate the students about the true meaning of the swastika. That is why we waited until this year when we could get a few speakers," said Ramya Rari, president of the HSC and a senior biomedical engineering major.
The swastika dates back to the Neolithic period in ancient India. It has been used by many different cultures, but it always had a positive meaning related to well-being. The negative connotation arose when the German Nazi Party began using the symbol as its logo.
"The swastika that Hitler used is a little different," said Dr. Kumund Tripathy, a Bryan oncologist. "It is slanted and black, while the Hindu swastika most of the time will be red."
The swastika symbol can mean many things. It can be the four stages of life, the four arms of Vishnu or the four cardinal directions.
"The directions it follows, and the colors it uses actually means the four directions, coming from North, East, South and West," one of the speakers said. "So this actually symbolizes the god of the sun."
The Hindu religion frequently uses the swastika on many things such as wedding invitations, jewelry and temples to encourage well-being. But when in America, many Hindus are not comfortable displaying their swastikas.
"The world is a global village, so we have to educate each other, and learn to live in peace," said Dr. Mahendra Thakrar.
This was essentially the goal of the swastika presentation, Rari said.
"I hope that this was our little step that will help you eradicate misconceptions of the swastika and educate other people about the symbol," Rari said. "Know that you don't have to be ashamed to explain to them. It's our symbol."
While the majority of the students in attendance were members of the Hindu Students Council, there were other students who came on their own to learn more about the history of the swastika.
"I liked learning about the real meaning behind the swastika and its origins and the powerfulness of what it means to the Hindu people," said Rachel Einhorn, a sophomore telecommunications and media studies major.
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