why did adolf hitler chose swastika as the symbol of nazis?

Answer 1

The pentagram was already being used.

Answer 2

Adolf Hitler did not choose the swastika for any historical reason or for it's original good luck meaning. Adolf Hitler and the Nazis used the reversed version of swastika to form the small letter 'h' in German. The swastika can point right or left and has been used in either direction for many centuries. The swastika also appeard on the original flag of Finland. The Nazi swastika is the German letter [small] repeated. So it's just [h] repeated = hitler [Hitler]. The history of the swastika goes back to Roman times and beyond. Quite often the swastika can be seen in Roman mosaic designs. The swastika may also have Eastern origins - India and beyond. Edit 1: Swastika is a small community founded in 1908 around a mining site in northern Ontario, Canada, and today within the municipal boundaries of Kirkland. Edit 2: The history of the swastika spans 3000 years. Edit 3: In 1925 Coca Cola made a lucky watch fob in the shape of a swastika with the slogan, "Drink Coca Cola five cents in bottles." At that time, the Swastika was still a symbol of 'Good Luck'. The watch fob was approximately 4cm x 4cm in size and is made of brass. Edit 4: "The Swastika" is the oldest cross and emblem in the world. It forms a combination of four "L's" standing for Luck, Light, Love and Life. It has been found in ancient Rome, excavations in Grecian cities, on Buddhist idols, on Chinese coins dated 315 B.C., and American Southwest Indians use it as an amulet. It is claimed that the Mound Builders and Cliff Dwellers of Mexico, Central America consider "The Swastika" a charm to drive away evil and bring good luck, long life and prosperity to the possessor. Edit 5: The Swastika Stone near Ilkley in West Yorkshire (England) The stone overlooks the valley of the River Wharfe, and is identical to some of the 'Camunnian Rose' designs in Val Camonica, Italy - nine cup-marks in a cross shape, surrounded by a curved swastika- shaped groove. The Ilkley carving also has an 'appendage' off the east arm - a cup surrounded by a curved hook-shaped groove. It is unique on the moor (which is covered in hundreds of cup-and-ring type carvings) although there is an unfinished swastika design (more angular, without cups) on the nearby Badger Stone.

Answer 3

The swastika had been a symbol of good luck and prosperity in many cultures all over the world before the Nazis came along. Hitler adopted this symbol for this reason, to help his Third Reich last for one thousand years. But, I guess he should have found other ways if he really wanted to succeed.

Personally I find it kind of sad that one regime can so completely tarnish a symbol of hope that existed for thousands of years before them.

Answer 4

The swastika became the symbol of the Nazis and the representation of evil during the Third Reich. Yet the symbol itself has a long and varied history. the swastika which was once a symbol of good luck but has recently become a symbol of horror.

Answer 5

Archaeological evidence of swastika-shaped ornaments dates from the Neolithic period and has nothing to do with Masons.

The ancient symbol occurs in numerous indigenous Asian, European, African and Native American cultures; sometimes as a geometrical motif and sometimes as a religious symbol. It has long been widely used in major world religions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism.

In Germanic countries, examples of identical shapes in ancient European artifacts and in folk art were interpreted as emblems of good-luck linked to the Indo-Iranian meaning.

The Nazi Party (German: Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei) took this symbol because Nazism stated that the historical Aryans were the forefathers of modern Germans and then proposed that, because of this, the subjugation of the world by Germany was desirable, and even predestined. The swastika was used as a conveniently-geometrical and eye-catching symbol to emphasize the so-called Aryan-German correspondence and instill racial pride.

Answer 6

As has been said, the swastika was an ancient symbol meaning good luck or prosperity. I remember also seeing it used in artifacts from Native American cultures as well.....

The Rockwell Museum of Western Art in Corning, NY has several examples of the swastika in Native American art.

Ironically, before WW2 began, it was also one of the symbols worn by the American 45th Infantry division.

Answer 7

Gosh, you got all of those really neat answers. If you ever go to the town he was raised in you should go to the Catholic Church he attended with his mother and father and you will see a really odd thing. Why it is decorated with swastika's. Yes that come ancient, medieval and almost modern symbol that is so feared, forget teaching people what the ideas are that they should fear, the symbol is so bad that if the military designs barracks that from outer space look like them in shadows then we have to change the barracks.

Answer 8

the swastika is an ancient symbol much like the pentagram or the cross...also, i believe it was used by the masons which is where hitler got it.

Answer 9

From what I've heard, he chose the Swastika because if you turn the Swastika backwards horizontally, it could mean peace.

Answer 10

He thought of it as cool and unique then....there is this theory that he's alien (accused of being) like Albert Einstein. Believe what you want...