I want a swastika tattoo?

Question

In Buddhism, the swastika signifies auspiciousness and good fortune as well as the Buddha's footprints and the Buddha's heart. The swastika is said to contain the whole mind of the Buddha. I really love this concept, and i would love to get the counter-clockwise swastika (the Nazi symbol was clockwise) with Om symbol or a lotus in the middle... But me being white and my husband black, he thinks that people will automatically judge us (and think that Im a crazy neo-nazi) but I want it on my back and I doubt anyone would see it often... and if they did most people would ask about it and I would explain it to them, So the question being should I get it and not care about other peoples opinion of me?

Answer 1

If you get a swaztika, you will be judged. People will assume the worst...just as with the news media...all one has to do is say something about someone and the public automatically judges and convicts them without trial or jury.

The Swaztika is a very nice design, but it has baggage now that is detrimental to any who will choose to display it...a tattoo is something you can hide, but it is not something that can be kept secret forever, and you never know what situations you will find yourself in. The Navy is tearing down an entire barracks/building...recent news...because it was in the shape of a swaztika...because people could see the shape on google earth. It has much baggage and negativity ascribed to it.

If something has the potential to deeply disturb someone to cause them pain, then out of love for them...for your fellow human beings, it might not be the best idea to get it...it is something that "will" deeply offend. I personally would not choose to offend anyone on that level. I know we have the right to do what we want in this country, and we can put anything on or in our bodies...but just because we can do something, doesn't mean we should. If I was asked my opinion about an issue, I would be honest and take my chances that I would offend someone, and then I would back up my argument with the reasoning I have. I would not display my opinion on a sign in order to go looking for conflict.

People may not give you "time" to explain it, or be patient or understanding enough to listen while you explain it, especially if you are walking down the street, or in a crowded public place...if you are looking for a freedom of speech issue to champion...or if you just desire the fight and the heartache it will cause on all sides, then that is your right, but go into this with your eyes opened.

If I saw anyone with a swaztika on their back, it would inspire all the thoughts that go with it...racist...bigot...nazi
...anti-semite...etc. The clockwise, counter clockwise issue would not register, and the first thing that comes to mind will just continue to grow if the person's morality doesn't put a stop it.

If your husband was with you then most of those thoughts would be contradictory, but he can't always be with you.

I would personally, forcibly try to suppress those negative thoughts and give you the benefit of the doubt, even if I saw you without your husband, but there are many who will not.

I hope this helps a bit..

Take Care and God Bless!

Answer 2

If you do it counter-clockwise, I think less people would be critical, and more curious. I know that in Buddhism/Hinduism/Jainism, the swastika usually goes clockwise (but it's not usually tilted like the Nazi swastika).

Go for it! I think it's very awesome people are willing to spread knowledge of the original and great meaning of the swastika, even through body art. I hope that people will ask you about it and you'd be able to educate them.

I don't know if you read the news a lot, but I think a month ago, some line in Europe came out with clothing and accessories with swastikas (they were made in India, so they had a more positive connotation). They were immediately recalled just because it was a swastika.

Answer 3

You will be seen instantly as a bad person. Even if you don't believe in them, a swastika invokes the recollection of powerful hateful ideas that caused harm and death for millions over the years. Wearing one, especially in the permanency that is a tattoo, infers to others that you believe in those ideas. Find a picture of something else, and get a good tattoo artist to render it for you. Your infatuation with the linear look of the symbol will wane, but others' judgments of you will stay the same. If anything, that rendition of the design will be seen as a camouflaged way to display a hateful symbol.

Answer 4

You say, "I doubt anyone would see it often... and if they did most people would ask about it and I would explain it to them, So the question being should I get it and not care about other peoples opinion of me?"

I say, the people who are offended the most will not "ask" about it. Why would the offended person risk getting into to heated discussion with someone they assume is a neo-Nazi?

Also, I don't think it's "other people's opinion" of you that you should be concerned with as much as "will this hurt or offend other people?". I believe that it WILL hurt other people.

If you are set on doing it for what YOU will get out of it (good fortune/auspiciousness), then please do it in a place that no one will EVER see (like your bum, or something). And when you're 86 years old and living in a nursing home, please explain to your Jewish nurse's aid why you have a backwards swastika on your backside!

Answer 5

You can explain it all you like, at the point in history, the swastika is NOT a symbol of good fortune. Your choosing to wear it even though you know what it mean now will get you judged. It's kind of like defending the Confederate flag. A lotus flower with the ohm symbol in smoke above it would be lovely, and you could enjoy it. If you add the swastika, you'll be constantly asked or judged about it (for the rest of you life) and you will probably learn to regret it.

Answer 6

I think your husband is right. This isn't just not caring about what other people think. As with most situations of conflict, ignorance is the biggest issue.

It is a cool sentiment and I like it too, but why not just get a necklace or ring with the symbol. Tatoos are very symbolic and if misunderstood could cause a lot of trouble. It would prejudice people's opinion of you, and with all the hate there is in this world, why put you and your husband at risk?

Answer 7

I think you should absolutely get it.
The Swastika (in Sanskrit), or Fylfot was in use for literally THOUSANDS of years before the Nazi party was ever conceived, and it was used by cultures all around the world, including being used in the Torah.
The Nazis have had their stranglehold on this symbol of peace, power, and the sun for long enough.
The only way to change people's misperceptions regarding this symbol is to start using it again, in its original manner.

You absolutely should get it.

EDIT:
There are certain groups that would like to keep people ignorant about the true meanings of things. Groups like the totally misnamed "Anti-Defamation League" and the "Southern Poverty Law Center". To those two groups, any symbol or other tangible or intangible concept that has ever been co-opted by any racist organization is forever associated with racism.
Don't let the ignorant, the stupid, or the bigoted make your decisions for you.
You are informed as to what the symbol means, you KNOW what it means. If people ask, and you explain it to them, then THEY will know.
If you feel like doing your part to FIGHT ignorance instead of propagating ignorance, then I absolutely support your tattoo idea.
100%
The ADL and the SPLC work very hard to propagate ignorance... It's up to those who believe in knowledge, truth and honor to fight their efforts.

Answer 8

well, on one hand, if buddhism is ur religion, then you should be able to express ur religion freely.
on the other hand, most ppl don't know about the swastika being a buddhist symbol, so they might get a little offended.

so maybe you could get the tattoo, but put it in a place that ppl wouldn't normally see it, like the middle of ur back or something.
and if someone asks, just tell them that it's a sign of good fortune in buddhism.

Answer 9

people might get really freaked out. Expecially if its a tattoo.
If you ever got sick of it and wanted it to be removed.........., do you know how painful that would be? And wouldnt it get annoying to have to explain the swastika to people all of the time? I say you go with another symbol. A swastika tattoo has the potential to ruin your life............., and that would be bad.

Answer 10

Don't you hate facist dictators who ruin cool things?! Mee too!!!

Maybe find some neat sketches that are not explicitly "nazi" looking but are very very east Asian and still true to the symbol itself? Click on the link for examples.

I like 46, 48, 54 & 55 personally.

Maybe that'll be a good middle ground.

Hopefully this helps!