March 6, 2010

The Swastica


A sight odd to westerners here is the swastica. I recall riding on the bus my first day and seeing it on roadsigns. I was shocked. It is funny how much a symbol can affect a person. The symbol here (on a roadsign at least) represents a Buddist Temple. The swastica is rotated 45 degrees and sits like a square instead of the infamous genocidal diamond shape that westerners have been taught to abhor. I have since learned that the swastica is used extensively in Hindu tradition as well. The same symbol is seen in a clockwise and counter-clockwise manner to represent two of their gods. Further proof of the power of symbolism.

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