The Swastika Symbol
Native American Indians were a deeply spiritual people and they communicated their history, thoughts, ideas and dreams from generation to generation through Symbols and Signs such as the Swastika symbol. The origin of the Swastika symbol derives from the ancient Mississippian culture of the Mound Builders of North America and were major elements in the Southeastern Ceremonial Complex of American prehistory (S.E.C.C.). Some of the Native Indian tribes still retain some elements of the Mississippi culture and the symbolism of the broken cross symbol - that is commonly referred to as a Swastika.
The Origin of the word Swastika
The word 'swastika' derives from an Asian Indian Sanskrit word, in which the meaning of the swastika stands for universal welfare. "Swasti" means well-being of one and all and "ka" means symbol. The swastika is one of the most ancient of all symbols and used as a symbol for peace, life and good luck. It represented the revolving sun, fire or life.
The Swastika Symbol Sand Painting
The following picture of a Navajo Sand Painting provides and authentic illustration of the Yei spirits with the central cross displaying the features of the swastika symbol.
Navajo Yei Swastika Sand Painting
Swastika symbolism is destroyed
The ancient Swastika was adopted as a symbol of the Nazi Party of Germany in 1920 who used it as a symbol of the Aryan race. The events leading to WW2 destroyed the original meaning of the swastika and completely reversed its original meaning from peace and life to war and death. The true meaning of the swastika and its symbolism has probably been destroyed forever but the symbol belonged to ancient cultures long before the terrible events of the 20th century.
The Swastika symbol and the Mississippian culture of the Mound Builders
There is evidence that the Swastika symbol featured in the ancient Mississippian culture of the Mound Builders in North America. The Mound Builders associated great mystical value to the swastika and the sacred rites, myths and symbols of the Mississippians play a role in the beliefs of many Native American tribes. The swastika is a broken cross symbol, a type of Cross in the Circle - Solar Cross Symbol, with arms bent at right angles, suggesting a whirling or turning motion. There are many examples of this particular type of Swastika symbols.
The Meaning of the Broken Cross Symbol to the Native Americans - the Swastika
To Native American Indians, the swastika is a symbol of the sun, the four directions, and the four seasons.
The third image depicts the full image of the Feathered Serpent symbol where the right angles are depicted as gentle curves and the entire symbol is slightly slanted. The swastika symbol and shape is clearly evident in this depiction by the Mound Builders. The broken cross symbol or the Swastika, is commonly known as the "whirling log" to many Native Indians, though the literal meaning in the Navajo language "that which revolves".
The Swastika Symbol - Mississippian culture
The most ancient Native American Indian symbols, like the Swastika symbol, came from the Mississippian culture which was established in 1000AD and continued to 1550AD onward. The Mississippian Native Americans were the last of the mound-building cultures of North America in the Midwestern, Eastern, and Southeastern United States. The Mississippian culture was based on warfare, which was represented by an array of emblems, motifs and symbols. The Mississippian culture Swastika icons like the Swastika symbol provides interesting history and ideas for tattoos that include cosmic imagery depicting animals, humans and Mythical creatures and monsters. The Mississippian Native Americans practiced body painting, tattooing and piercing.
Shaman ritually vomiting Black drink
Attribution: Herb Roe |
Native American Indians - Swastika Symbol
Native American Indians of the Mississippian culture were sun worshipers and had a highly complex warfare culture. Their symbols, such as the Swastika symbol, reflect the warfare culture and the religious beliefs and cosmologies of the different historic tribes who existed at the time of the first European contact.
Items displaying symbols, like the Swastika symbol, from the Mississippian culture have been found in burial sites that contained war axes, knives and other weapons. This type of symbol was embossed in valuable materials such as rare shells, copper and lead and depicted on pottery and stone tools and weapons.
Swastika Symbol
Swastika
- The Swastika symbol of Native Americans
- Meaning, symbolism and interpretation of the Swastika symbol
- Interesting facts and info for kids and schools
- Pictures, meanings, patterns and designs of symbols
- Native American Swastika symbol meaning
Pictures and Videos of Native Americans
Swastika. Discover the vast selection of pictures which relate to the History of Native Americans and illustrate many symbols used by American Indians. The pictures show the clothing, war paint, weapons and decorations of various Native Indian tribes that can be used as a really useful educational history resource for kids and children of all ages. We have included pictures and videos to accompany the main topic of this section - Swastika. The videos enable fast access to the images, paintings and pictures together with information and many historical facts. All of the articles and pages can be accessed via the Native Indian Tribes Index - a Horned educational resource for kids.
