Many years ago, while riding the MTA in Boston or public transport in Philadelphia, I looked out of a window and saw a swastika in the stonework at the top of an old building. I was reminded of that this weekend, when I encountered the above photo at the curiously-named It'll Take The Snap Out Of Your Garters (via Retrolife).
For Clara Bow and others of her generation, the swastika was a good-luck symbol that only fell out of public favor when it was co-opted by the Nazis several decades later. More details at Wiki. Some variants of the symbol, shown below, from Socyberty.
I have a book on making Chinese decorative knots; one of the patterns offered is called the sevaustika and the author gives it a Buddhist origin.
ReplyDeleteBuddhism is derived from Vedic Brahmanism, which comes from the Vedas, who were Indo-Europeans or Aryans, the swastika has been used by many cultures for millenia, it's particularly strong among the Aryans, the european peoples who are also Indo-Europeans also use swastikas, for example the Sun cross, of Fylfot as it's known in england, the Kolovrat and the Triskelion, are all forms of swastikas. Basically Hinduism is the true religion of the Aryans, it wasn't really a religion in the past but more of a spiritual philosophy
DeleteClara bow had no idea who he was. She was a young pro-choice girl that knew the swastikas brought peace. In the 60's we had that dumb peace sign. What if Hitler never used it and instead of 2 fingers we use a Buddhist sign?
DeleteI have never came across the Swastika symbol as you mentioned with "Hindu" in the collection presented. Hindu swastika is very similar to the "Tibet" version in your collection.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Ambuj. Hindi version shown is not correct.
Delete@Ambuj - After a quick search, I think I would agree with you. The link may be incorrect.
ReplyDeleteCeltic one is called just a swastick, and is present with celtic art.
ReplyDeleteManx
DeleteI would also agree that the link is incorrect for the Hindu Swastika... It has much resemblance to the Tibetan Swastika.
ReplyDeleteNo, she's actually wearing the Nazi swastika. Bow was prevailed upon while in Germany, by Hitler himself, to pose for that picture. true story.
ReplyDeleteMore details here -
Deletehttp://sydneyflapper.tumblr.com/post/53971362765/missclarabow-leafwoman-i-used-to-think
This was likely on Fairmount Ave in philadelphia by the art museum, probably the 48 bus the Perelman building.
ReplyDeleteWell, both swastikas Clara have on go in opposite direction. The hat is inverted, but the photo was taken in 1927 and hitler is 10 year away from a Nobel peace prize for the resolution of the Sudetenland Crisis ; witch he never got.
ReplyDeleteClara may knew of Hitler and was at a young age thinking he will bring people out of poverty. but I doubt she knew what was really happening.
In 1927 I don't think the world thought Hitler as a bad person. resolution of the Sudetenland Crisis made people believe that he was doing something that would change lives. Common, he was friends with Gandhi.
ReplyDeleteThe firehouse in Glenside, PA (suburban Philadelphia) has the original swastika set over a cross reminiscent of the WW1 iron cross. Just bad luck I suppose, when, oddly, it was put there for good luck.
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