The emblem of the Falun Gong (via OpinionJournal), also known as Falun Dafa, is a backward swastika surrounded by smaller swastikas alternating with yin-yang symbols. Part of their explanation is as follows:
The English and German word Swastika is derived from the Sanskrit word: Svastikah, which means "being fortunate." The first part of the word, SVASTI-, can be divided into two parts: SU- (good; well), and -ASTI- (is.) The -ASTIKAH part just means "being". The word is associated with auspicious things in India – because it means "auspicious." In India, both clockwise and counterclockwise swastikas were used, with different meanings.The swastika symbol has been used for thousands of years among practically every group of humans on the planet. It was known to Germanic tribes as the "Cross of Thor," and it is interesting that the Nazis did not use that term, which is consistent with German history, but instead preferred to "steal" the Indian term "swastika." As the "Cross of Thor," the symbol was even brought to England by Scandinavian settlers in Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, long before Hitler. Even more interesting, the sign has been found on Jewish temples from 2000 years ago in Palestine, so Hitler was (inadvertently?) "stealing" a Jewish symbol as well as an Indian one.
This is true. I have seen for myself ancient synagogues decorated with swastikas. But the Nazis have irrevocably changed its meaning. To me it looks evil, I can’t imagine anyone thinking it beautiful, inspiring, or good. Evidently, the Falun Gong disagree:
The Falun emblem is the symbol of Falun Dafa. The character in the center (<link removed>) is the symbol called "wan", which has been used in many cultures for thousands of years to denote good fortune.
It gives me the creeps.
Posted by David Boxenhorn at July 28, 2004 06:16 PM