The History of the Swastika By: Sydney Izes and Neva Pope

Before Hitler Taken up by the volkisch Nazis were not the only ones to use it in Germany Adopted by many movements after WWI Common for houses and temples in India and Indonesia Used 5000 years before the Nazis Sacred symbol in Hinduism Buddhism Jainism and Odinism Neolithic Eurasia first used the motif Pre-dates Christian European cultures Heinrich Schliemann discovered it in ancient Troy

Why Hitler Chose it Germans are descendants of Aryans. Hitler thought the swastika was “eternally anti-Semitic” because it was used by nomadic Aryans When the flag was first shown in public, anti-Semites gathered and rallied for the flag The swastika being flown all over Germany caused the lower-middle class people to realize that giving in to Hitler was a smart idea

The Swastika During the Nazis During the Nazi occupation in Germany, the Swastika was a representation of Aryan pride and prejudice. Wherever the flag was flown it was known that non Aryans were not welcome.

Meanings of the Swastika Su – good Asti – “to be, to exist” Ik- “what is in existence, and will continue to exist” A- denotes feminine gender Meanings of the Swastika Places previously using it: Present Day Turkey Asia South East Europe Syria Israel China France Greece India

QUIZ TIME

TRUE or FALSE: The Swastika has a bad meaning

TRUE or FALSE: The Swastika has a bad meaning FALSE: The Swastika means “ well-being” or “good fortune”

Germans are descendants of who?

Germans are descendants of who? Aryans

Where was the Swastika first used?

Where was the Swastika first used? Neolithic Eurasia

Sources "History of the Swastika." Holocuast Encyclopedia. United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2017. "Reclaim The Swastika." Your Say Reclaim the Swastika RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Jan. 2017.