The Swastika, the Earliest Known Symbol, and Its Migration: With Observations on the Migration of Certain Industries in Prehistoric TimesWilson, Thomas
Religion
The Swastika, the Earliest Known Symbol, and Its Migration: With Observations on the Migration of Certain Industries in Prehistoric Times
Wilson, Thomas
Industries, Primitive; Swastikas; Symbolism
Thus it may be with the other forms of crosses, and thus it appears to be
with the circle and spiral Swastikas and those with ends bent in opposite
and different directions. Just what their relations are and at which end
of the series the evolution began, is not argued. This is left for the
theorists and imaginists, protesting, however, that they must not run wild
nor push their theories beyond bounds. Fig. 94 represents four crosses,
the main arms of which are at right angles, and each and all ends, instead
of being turned at an angle which would make them Swastikas, are
bifurcated and turn both ways, thus forming a foliated cross similar to
the Maya cross, the "Tree of life." Figs. 95, 96, and 97 show Greek
crosses. The centers of the crosses are occupied by the central hole of
the whorl, while the arms extend to the periphery. In the centers of the
respective arms are the ubiquitous dots. The question might here be asked
whether these holes, which represented circles, stood for the sun symbol
or solar disk. The question carries its own answer and is a refutation of
those who fancy they can see mythology in everything. Fig. 98 is the same
style of figure with the same dots, save that it has three instead of four
arms. Figs. 99 and 100 each show four of the curious animals heretofore
represented (fig. 56) in connection with the Swastika. They are here
inserted for comparison. They are all of the same form, and one
description will serve. Back straight, tail drooping, four legs, round
head showing eye on one side, and long ears resembling those of a rabbit
or hare, which, in fig. 56, are called horns. The general remarks in
respect to the propriety of inserting crosses and burning altars (p. 824)
apply with equal pertinency to these animals and to the unexplained dots
seen on so many specimens. Fig. 101 shows both ends of a spindle-whorl,
and is here inserted because it represents one of the "burning altars" of
Dr. Schliemann, associated with a Swastika, as in figs. 61, 66, and 68,
and even those of figure-8 style (figs. 64 and 69).
[Illustration: Fig. 98. SPINDLE-WHORL. Central hole and three arms with
dots. Third city. Depth, 23 feet. Schliemann, "Ilios," fig. 1819.]
[Illustration: Fig. 99. BICONICAL SPINDLE-WHORL. Four animals are shown
similar to those found associated with the Swastika. Third city. Depth, 33
feet. Schliemann, "Ilios," fig. 1877.]
[Illustration: Fig. 100. BICONICAL SPINDLE-WHORL. Four animals are shown
similar to those found associated with the Swastika. Fourth city. Depth,
19.6 feet. Schliemann, "Ilios," fig. 1867.]
[Illustration: Fig. 101. SPINDLE-WHORL WITH FIGURE-8 SWASTIKA (?) AND SIX
"BURNING ALTARS." Fourth city. Depth, 19.6 feet. Schliemann, "Ilios," fig.
1838.]
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