Swastika

Here’s a picture of Swastika, a young man who was our tour guide and assistant in many ways in Bali. After introducing himself as Swastika he is invariably asked the meaning of his name. Here’s what he says: in Balinese Hinduism the swastika is a representation of social peace and harmony. The four legs represent the  social castes each of which is dependent on the others to create a functional society. The castes are Priest/Leader, Warrior, Merchant, Farmer/Fisherman. If any of these castes is missing the social order runs aground.

There are other meanings given the swastika in Hindu belief all of them with positive connotation. It’s strange for us to see the symbol associated with peace.

It was also strange and somewhat amusing to call someone Swastika in conversation.

 

 

 

1 Comment

• 
  Mpandangare December 1, 2012 at 2:55 am

  Extraordinary.