Swastika whats it?

[Mich. Wolverine]

Swastika what's it?

I found this in Michigan a few years ago and can't find any thing out about it. It's four and a half inches long and a half inch wide. There are no markings on the back and has two spots on the back where it was attached to something. I thought maybe it was a hat band, but I have not seen one like it. Is this military or civilian? Thanks for any help.

Wolverine.

 

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[BioProfessor]

Re: Swastika what's it?

I think it is a civilian piece that came from Europe. I have cruised enough antique shops over there to get a feeling for things that have different meanings to different people and different times. I run across quite a few pieces of jewelry that has the swastika on them. Even diamond rings with with the swastika being centerpiece. It is not seen as a German war emblem. It had a much different meaning before then. Here is some further information:


Origins of the swastika

Nazi swastika

The Nazis hijacked the symbol from its Hindu origins. The EU has been urged to ban the swastika because of its Nazi associations with hate and racism. But the symbol was around long before Adolf Hitler. The swastika is a cross with its arms bent at right angles to either the right or left. In geometric terms, it is known as an irregular icosagon or 20-sided polygon. The word is derived from the Sanskrit "svastika" and means "good to be". In Indo-European culture it was a mark made on people or objects to give them good luck. It has been around for thousands of years, particularly as a Hindu symbol in the holy texts, to mean luck, Brahma or samsara (rebirth).

Nowadays it is commonly seen in Indian artwork and current and ancient Hindu architecture, and in the ruins of the ancient city of Troy. It has also been used in Buddhism and Jainism, plus other Asian, European and Native American cultures.

The British author Rudyard Kipling, who was strongly influenced by Indian culture, had a swastika on the dust jackets of all his books until the rise of Nazism made this inappropriate. It was also a symbol used by the scouts in Britain, although it was taken off Robert Baden-Powell's 1922 Medal of Merit after complaints in the 1930s.

The Finnish Air Force also used it as its official symbol in World War II, and it still appears on medals, but it had no connection with the Nazi use.

It is rarely seen on its own in Western architecture, but a design of interlocking swastikas is part of the design of the floor of the cathedral of Amiens, France


Daryl

 

[seger98]

Re: Swastika what's it?

Looks like a side plate to a pocket knife!

 

[Monty]

Re: Swastika what's it?

Part of a good luck charm? Monty

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

Re: Swastika what's it?

the hooked cross was rather popular prior to 1939. it meant good luck, prosperity, ect.
many homes had a swastika decorating above the door of their homes...most were removed during the war.

 

[Woodland Detectors]

Re: Swastika what's it?

Thank You Daryl for the history...great stuff

 

[Mich. Wolverine]

Re: Swastika what's it?

Thanks daryl and every one for the comments. I knew it was used very early but I thought that if it was turned on the corner it had some connection to Germany. Thanks for clearing that up for me. Here is a buckle that I found in October with a swastika on it. I don't have the buckle rotated the right way it should be on the corner. It's made of very thin brass so I think it's also civilian, but I'll take anyway. Thanks again.

Wolverine.

 

[juju]

Re: Swastika what's it?

It is entirely possible that it is an american piece. I have encluded a pic of a stock from 1918. This oil company was located in Missouri, and I believe later formed the Gulf oil corporation. The swastika is present on a few of the differant stocks in my collection. Most of which are from the U.S. I hope this might help narrow your search.

JuJu

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Swastika what's it?

My guess would be a 1900's-1930's civilian good luck or Native American bracelet. I couldnt find your exact one but a quick search revealed a couple of similar ones for sale. http://www.oldtowntraders.com/store/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=99

 

[Bigcypresshunter]

Re: Swastika what's it?

Can we see the back?

 

[SHERMANVILLE ILLINOIS]

Re: Swastika what's it?

Some type of furniture attachment, good luck.

have a good un......
SHERMANVILLE

 

[pcolaboy]

Re: Swastika what's it?

Don't discount the fact that in the 30's there was the American Nazi Party mainly consisting of people from German descent or German sympathizers leading up to WWII. Once the US got involved in the war, the FBI moved in on this group eventually causing it to disband - thankfully. Most of the party members were concentrated in New York City, Chicago, and much of the rural mid-west where large numbers of German descendants lived. They wore nearly the same uniforms as the German Nazi Party, had the same swastika, and had banners of Hitler alongside George Washington. Creepy stuff.

Pcola

 

[BioProfessor]

Re: Swastika what's it?

Not sure about your dates Pcolaboy. There may have been an underground movement but there was no official party until the 50's.

American Nazi Party

ORGANIZATION

Established 1959 by George Rockwell in Arlington, Virginia as the World Union of Free Enterprise National Socialists, renamed American Nazi Party in December of that year. It became dormant in the early 1970s and was revived by an unrelated group in the early 1990s. The organization's credo is the "14 words", which read "We must secure the existence of our people and a future for white children."

Official Website:
http://www.americannaziparty.com/

Daryl

 

[Gypsy Heart]

Re: Swastika what's it?

Could be part of a ladies or childs belt sash ....very popular emblem during the victorian era....

 

[Mich. Wolverine]

Re: Swastika what's it?

Wow!! Thanks everyone I never thought I would get that much info. My camera is out of commission so I can't get a picture of the back. There is nothing on the back but a couple of small dots on each end so it could be attached to something. You can't tell by the picture but it was originally flat. When I found it was folded up and I straightened it out somewhat. Thanks again.

Wolverine.