In India, according to some, the Swastika was given its name from su = good, and asti = to be, with the suffix ka. Its arms were angled in a clockwise direction (from the center). The reversed Swastika, known as the Sauvastika ( anticlockwise), was associated with misfortune and bad luck.

The Swastika is a very old ideogram. The first examples are found in Sumeria and earlier cultures that existed in what is now Pakistan about 3000 B.C.E. Yet it was not until around the year 1000 B.C.E. that the swastika became a commonly used sign.

Most cultures in Eurasia, except Egypt and Assyrian-Babylonian, have used the swastika at some point in their history.

The Swastika was used before the birth of Christ in China, India, Japan, and Southern Europe. It appeared a couple hundred years ago among many of the Indian tribes and was probably brought over by the Spanish and Portuguese colonists.

The Swastika was often associated with Buddha in India, China, and Japan. In the earliest Chinese symbolism the swastika (shown on left-top) was known as wan and was a superlative of the highest degree. In Japan it was said to be a sign for the magnificent number 10,000. In Japan of the Middle Ages the Swastika was manji, a sign for enormous luck and protection against evil powers. The sign was common among the Hitties and in Greece around 1000 B.C.E. However, it did not appear in the Nordic countries until after the birth of Christ and then only on a few runic stones. The swastika was used in Northern Europe well before that, for instance in pre-Christian Ireland.

Until the nineteenth century, the Swastika seemed to have lost its popularity. Although it was not common in Europe during that time, it was not totally unknown. It had many names: Hakenkreuz un Germanic princedoms, fylfot in England, Crux gammata in Rome, and tetraskelion or gammadion in Greece.

The Swastika’s spectrum of meaning is centered around power, energy and migrations.

The Swastika form is associated with the sun and power. The Swastika moving in a clockwise direction is related to the form and also its meaning, reincarnation, return, etc. The Swastika symbolizes, therefore, national reincarnation.

An interesting part is that the Swastika was once considered, by Christians, to be the symbol of Christ. The Swastika was renounced as the symbol of Christ when it was discovered that the Buddhists were using the Swastika as a symbol of Buddha.

If we are not careful, we might confuse the normal sacred Swastika with those of the  emblem used by the German Socialist (or “Nazi”) party which was led by Adolf Hitler in the late 1930s and early 1940s. It was in 1920 that this emblem was first used in the Nazi Party official banner. Quite sadly, in the twentieth century, this twisted type of Swastika is used as an anti-Semitic and uniting symbol in Germany and Austria.

Symbolizes:
Reproduction, sexual union, life and zest for life or future life, life after death.
This hieroglyph is sometimes called the key of the Nile. The symbol is associated with Imkotep (living around 3000 B.C.E.), physician for the pharaoh’s family. Long after his death Imkotep was made the god of medicine or healing in Egypt.
(source: Dictionary of symbols, published 1991)

A very well-known charm. Believes to bring good luck, fortune, prestige or reputation.
The symbol should be like the Omega watch’s symbol.

Should be made of tin or alloy and is under the influence of Jupiter planet which represents luck. Believed to be suitable for the Sagittarius people.

Said to bring riches and wealth and is favourable for farmers and all who have to do with the land.

Should be made of tin or alloy and enamelled green and believed to be suitable for the Virgo people.

An Irish charm. Each leave has a separate meaning. The first leaf on the left of the stalk helps to bring fame; the second moving clockwise for bringing in wealth;third to the right brings a faithful lover or sweet heart and the fourth on the right of the stalk bring robust health.

Can be made of tin or alloy and enamelled green and believed to be suitable for Cancer and Pisces people.

Universally accepted as sacred emblem.The simplest form is of a vertical pillar surmounted by a horizontal pillar, a very old form of cross.
Use to ward off skin disease and help to keep one pure in thought. Especially useful for those who are interested in religious and welfare matters,medicine, nursing,etc.

Should be made of gold, silver or copper and believe to be very suitable for Scorpio and Pisces people.

Symbolising knowledge and common sense.

Worn by those who are wants to acquire knowledge and interested in learning and education.

Should be made from gold, silver or copper and believe to be very suitable for Taurus, Virgo and Capricorn people.

Supposed to bring financial good fortune.

Should be made from gold as a badge or brooch.

Believe to be very good for Taurus and Leo people.

Stands for the joining of things and hence knots have longed been used for symbols by lovers. Everyone is familiar with the true lovers’ knot.

Can be made of gold, silver,platinium and believe to be suitable for Gemini and Pisces people.

Mainly linked to the Greek whereby the key is a symbol of both life and knowledge. Sometimes it is in the form of three keys standing for love, wealth and health. These keys are said to unlockthe doors which lead to these conditions.

Should be made of gold, hardened steel or chromium-plated metal and believe to be very suitable for Virgo, Scorpio and Aquarius people.