Hello! We are renovating a 1928 bungalow home. On the hearth of the fireplace are tiles. One is a iron cross. The other is the opposite of the German swastika. The arms of the symbol go in the opposite direction. I read up on it but the article contradicted itself I think. It said the symbol is called a swavastika. There are 3 other designs in the other tiles. Are there any significance to these symbols in a house. I am thinking they are for good luck but would like to hear what you think. Thanks a lot... p

I think you mean Sauwastika (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sauwastika) instead of Swavasticka (which I've never heard before!).

Both the Sauwastika and Swastika (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika) have been used for a long, long, LONG time though!

As you can see from these extensive articles both symbols have many uses, but if I were you I'd like to think of mine representing this, from the Sauwastika article;


"the Svastika was originally a symbol of the sun, ... and, therefore, a natural symbol of light, life, health, and wealth."

I'd love to see some pictures if at all possible, it sounds fascinating!

(idea) by Storm_Damage (4.7 y) (print) (I like it!) Thu Dec 07 2000 at 2:27:26

The word swastika comes from the Sanskrit svastika, meaning welfare (su = "well" + asti = "he is").

The swastika itself has been a symbol of good fortune since ancient times. Elegant in its simplicity and beautiful in its asymmetry, the swastika was widely used throughout the ancient world (appearing for instance on Mesopotamian coins). It was a solar symbol. The Nazis adopted it as their hakenkreutz. Its arms spin in a clockwise direction.

The swavastika spins in a counterclockwise direction. This was a night symbol, and often stood for magical practices. It was used as a symbol for Buddhism in Japan since ancient times.

That is a paragraph that I cut and pasted for you from the website named "[email protected]" I've found a few different sites about the swavastika, with other descriptions, but this explanation makes me a bit nervous. If you find out anymore information get back to me. Thanks for your quick return. P

I have a picture of the swavastika. How can I send it to you? P

You can upload it straight to here and show everyone! I'm sure they'd all like to see it!

If you click "Go Advanced" at the bottom of the page, then click on paperclip icon on the top row of icons (third from the right)... you can upload it there straight from your computer! :D

The programs says that my picture exceeds the # of bytes that will be allowed. P