Lexic.us

Definition of Swastika

1. Noun. The official emblem of the Nazi Party and the Third Reich; a cross with the arms bent at right angles in a clockwise direction.

Definition of Swastika

1. n. A symbol or ornament in the form of a Greek cross with the ends of the arms at right angles all in the same direction, and each prolonged to the height of the parallel arm of the cross. A great many modified forms exist, ogee and volute as well as rectilinear, while various decorative designs, as Greek fret or meander, are derived from or closely associated with it. The swastika is found in remains from the Bronze Age in various parts of Europe, esp. at Hissarlik (Troy), and was in frequent use as late as the 10th century. It is found in ancient Persia, in India, where both Jains and Buddhists used (or still use) it as religious symbol, in China and Japan, and among Indian tribes of North, Central, and South America. It is usually thought to be a charm, talisman, or religious token, esp. a sign of good luck or benediction. Max MüLler distinguished from the swastika, with arms prolonged to the right, the suavastika, with arms prolonged to the left, but this distinction is not commonly recognized. Other names for the swastika are fylfot and gammadion.

Definition of Swastika

1. Noun. A cross with arms of equal length all bent halfway along at a 90° angle to the right or to the left, used as a religious symbol by various ancient and modern civilizations, and adopted more recently (with arms angled to the right) as a symbol of Nazism and fascism. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Swastika

1. a geometrical figure used as a symbol or ornament [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Swastika

Literary usage of Swastika

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Papers of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology, Harvard University by Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology (1900)
"time, and furnishes an indication that, in an analogous manner, the swastika may have been primarily and generally employed by primitive races, ..."

2. Catalogue of Greek Coins: Corinth, Colonies of Corinth, Etc. by Barclay Vincent Head, Reginald Stuart Poole, British Museum Dept. of Coins and Medals (1889)
"The ' swastika' ornament on vases was after a time replaced by the rosette, which was probably developed out of it ; and Mr. Murray informs me that he knows ..."

3. The American Antiquarian and Oriental Journal by Stephen Denison Peet (1898)
"THE swastika AND OTHER MARKS AMONG THE EASTERN ALGONKINS. ... If those interested in the possible migration of the swastika figure from about the island of ..."

4. The School of Mines Quarterly by Columbia University School of Chemistry (1914)
"The swastika gold area centers about the town of swastika at mileage 164 on the Temiskaming & Northern Ontario Ry. The section herein described comprises ..."

5. The Numismatic Chronicle by Royal Numismatic Society (Great Britain) (1880)
"THE INDIAN swastika AND ITS WESTERN COUNTERPARTS. So many learned and enthusiastic scholars have attempted in times past to explain the origin and purport ..."

6. The Fundamental Principles of Old and New World Civilizations: A Comparative by Zelia Nuttall (1901)
"A close scrutiny of the respective forms of the crosses yielded by Ursae Major and Minor shows that the normal swastika and ..."

7. The Buddhist Praying-wheel: A Collection of Material Bearing Upon the by William Simpson (1896)
"In the middle of the god's breast a swastika is represented. ... Supposing that this explanation should hold its ground as the true meaning of the swastika, ..."

8. Christian Archaeology by Charles Wesley Bennett (1888)
"... even the swastika seems to other cinisi- have lacked sacredness, and had little sug- ton symbols- gestion of religious doctrine.4 To regard the ..."

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