svastika

The swastika is an ancient symbol used in many cultures worldwide, particularly in India where it represents luck, prosperity, and eternity.

The swastika is a symbol with positive and sacred significance in many ancient cultures, especially in India. Used for millennia, it appears in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain art, architecture, and religious texts. In Sanskrit, "swastika" means "that which brings good fortune". This symbol consists of four equal arms, often bent at right angles, forming a cross that can be oriented clockwise or counterclockwise. In Hinduism, the clockwise swastika symbolizes Vishnu and the sun, while the counterclockwise swastika is associated with Kali and magic. Despite its malicious appropriation by the Nazi regime in the 20th century, which gave it a negative connotation in the West, the swastika remains a symbol of prosperity, luck, and eternity in Indian traditions.