I should have added that to my original post. I have seen swastikas in modern usage to symbolize their original meaning, too, for example in sidewalk chalk art kids made in a friend's neighborhood. There are many Indian families in that neithborhood, and the chalk art was related to an upcoming festival. Imagine if someone more ignorant had made a stink about that family being racist.
There's a donut shop down the street from me that's been there for generations, and their sign has a picture of a happy-looking chef giving the okay sign. Somehow it's never been a problem.
But this is 2020, so I suppose it's only a matter of time before Antifa burns the place down.
I can't say I agree with this. I think that definitions tend to change over time in some cases, but in this case it's not that far along (and hopefully won't go further). Being gay was once seen as bad too, and the rainbow (once symbolizing / also still symbolizing God's promises) now predominantly symbolizes homosexuality. The same thing happens with words. Gay used to mean happy, a faggot used to be a bundle of sticks. I don't think it's weakness at all, but language and symbols changing over time. However, the OK hand to white supremacy is a horrible change and it should be fought against, not given over.
During previous times, homosexuality was considered negative just like white supremacy is now (though there won't be a fight for widespread acceptance of it like there has been for gays). From the point of view of old times though, this symbol arose while carrying a negative meaning in the past. From God's promises to homosexuality - in the old fashioned world views, it's quite comparable to the OK hand being taken over by white supremacists.
^This.
When the 45th Infantry Division was formed in 1923 it consisted of National Guard units from the southwest, so they went with something Native American for their insignia:
When the 45th Infantry Division was formed in 1923 it consisted of National Guard units from the southwest, so they went with something Native American for their insignia:
Three different factions using it simultaneously would have been overkill.
IIRC in the Native American context it means good luck, at least for certain tribes.Wow. I have never seen these before. I'm surprised that most of the western world seems to be more familiar with the Asians' swastika than the one originating from the land they live in or places geographically closer, that they've personally used before no less. I wonder how that happened- that I hear mentions of the Buddhist swastika being 'stolen by Hitler', but not much the Hindu's, or whatever other religion or culture it is. I don't know the historical roots beyond what I know about the Chinese/Buddhist version, it seems almost like a funny international coincidence.
Besides, depending on where you are on Asia, they look different- apparently the one used in Hinduism is also different from the one used in Buddhism. The meanings are subtly different, too. Makes me wonder what the meanings were in other countries/cultures. Hitler's reach was devastating enough that symbolism related to what he used became twisted, though it still retained its original meaning and usage far away (in Asia, afaik. Who knows there's more).
But I'm not sure what the backstory is about Finland using it.
I am familiar with this usage, too. In the National Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian, there is a mannequin dressed in a pilot's outfit from the 1920's, complete with a swastika pin for good luck. I think that usage was Native American in origin.IIRC in the Native American context it means good luck, at least for certain tribes.
I've heard that early highway signs in Arizona had them, along with maps. Which (understandably) can come as a surprise to people today looking at historic photos and maps. I'm not sure when Arizona dropped it, but I would imagine at least by the '30s.
*Sigh*...
