OmshantiMandiram Svastika

Svastika Symbol

The image of the svastika is an ancient symbol of good luck, prosperity and long life, used in ancient cultures such as India and China. The svastika was not created as a Nazi symbol, but dates back to over 3000 years. The symbol is found decorating the walls in many temples and shrines, as well as ancient coins.

Drawings of svastika symbol from the "Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal", The Svastika and the Omkara.

Ancient stone coins with svastika symbol

Ancient rock painting of temple with svastika symbol

The earliest archaeological evidence of the svastika shape dates back to the Indus Valley civilization around 3300 - 1300 BCE. Also found in other cultures like China, Japan, Korea and Europe.

The word "swastika" comes from the Sanskrit "svastikah"

"su" meaning "good" or "being fortunate"

"asti" meaning "to be"

"ka" as suffix

A sign of good luck or well being for many Hindu's, Buddhist and Jains.

There are two principal forms of the svastika: (1) that with the arms turned to the right, and (2) that with the arms turned to the left, each having a different meaning.

Svastikas facing right are considered "beneficial", for they are in tune with the evolution spinning clockwise, svastikas facing left or counter clockwise are considered "destructive" for they move opposite to the evolution spiral.