SWASTIKA

The clockwise swastika or hooked cross portrays all that is good and pure in humankind. In Eastern symbolism, it represents the movement of the sun.

Moving anticlockwise, it suggests the opposite; all that is sinister and wrong with humanity; although Hitler and many top Nazis such as Himmler had an interest in the occult, it is not known if the choice of the swastika was deliberate or not.

If this shape or pattern appears in your dream you may immediately associate it with Hitler, fascism or extreme right-wing views and your unconscious may be urging you to steer clear of someone with those kinds of beliefs. Bear in mind, however, that the ancient association of the swastika is far more positive and your unconscious may have been drawing on that. Swastika is a Sanskrit word that means well-being and to Hindus, Buddhists and Jains it is a symbol of good fortune.

(1) The swastika is a common symbol of life or live-giving, creative power. In religious traditions the distinction is sometimes made - but not always - between a beneficient swastika turning clockwise and a destructive swastika turning anticlockwise.

(2) Because of its association with Hitler and Nazism, the swastika may symbolize evil - even in its clockwise-moving form.

The swastika is an ancient symbol of creative, life-giving power.

The direction that it turns— clockwise being good, counterclockwise being destructive—are important in the religious traditions that utilize the swastika.

The phenomenon of Nazism has imbued this symbol with evil associations, no matter which direction it turns.