Swastika
E18572
The Swastika is an ancient cross-like symbol with bent arms that represents auspiciousness, good fortune, and cosmic order in Hinduism and several other Eurasian traditions.
Aliases (1)
Statements (52)
| Predicate | Object |
|---|---|
| instanceOf |
auspicious symbol
→
geometric figure → religious symbol → symbol → |
| etymologyMeaning |
conducive to well-being
→
|
| etymologyRoot |
Sanskrit asti (to be)
→
Sanskrit su (good) → |
| etymologySuffix |
-ka (diminutive or nominal suffix)
→
|
| foundInArchaeology |
Bronze Age Eurasian artifacts
→
Indus Valley Civilization artifacts → Roman mosaics → Scythian artifacts → ancient Greek pottery → |
| hasArmOrientation |
bent at right angles
→
|
| hasEtymology |
Sanskrit word svastika
→
|
| hasHistoricalUsage |
ancient Central Asia
→
pre-Buddhist India → pre-Christian Europe → |
| hasNumberOfArms |
4
→
|
| hasShape |
cross-like symbol with bent arms
→
|
| hasVariant |
left-facing swastika
→
right-facing swastika → |
| leftFacingAssociatedWith |
night or tantric aspects in some traditions
→
|
| represents |
auspiciousness
→
cosmic order → good fortune → prosperity → well-being → |
| rightFacingAssociatedWith |
Surya (sun) in Hinduism
→
|
| symbolizes |
eternity in some traditions
→
the revolving cosmos → the sun in several cultures → |
| usedInContext |
festivals
→
housewarming ceremonies → marriage ceremonies → religious rituals → |
| usedInCulture |
Central Asian cultures
→
East Asian cultures → Indian culture → Tibetan culture → ancient European cultures → ancient Near Eastern cultures → |
| usedInReligion |
Buddhism
→
Hinduism → Jainism → |
| usedOn |
coins
→
doorways → religious manuscripts → ritual objects → temple decorations → textiles → thresholds → |
Referenced by (3)
| Subject (surface form when different) | Predicate |
|---|---|
|
Cross of Lorraine
("Nazi swastika")
→
double-barred cross ("Nazi swastika") → |
contrastedWith |
|
Hinduism
→
|
hasSacredSymbol |