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swastika

an ancient symbol of well-being, later co-opted as a symbol of Nazism

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Where does the word "swastika" come from? It comes from Sanskrit svastika, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

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Where does the word "swastika" come from? It comes from Sanskrit svastika, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

Swastika’s story begins in Sanskrit: svastika meant “well-being, good fortune.” Literally "well-being", an ancient auspicious symbol. It reached English by 1800s as swastika. Sanskrit 'well-being'; Schliemann's finds at Troy spread it as a symbol, and the Nazis adopted it in 1920. Today, swastika means an ancient symbol of well-being, later co-opted as a symbol of Nazism.

  1. Stage 1 · Sanskrit · ancient svastika "well-being, good fortune", literally "well-being", an ancient auspicious symbol.
  2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s swastika "an ancient symbol of good fortune", Sanskrit 'well-being'; Schliemann's finds at Troy spread it as a symbol, and the Nazis adopted it in 1920.

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