In "The Swastika, the Earliest Known Symbol, and Its Migration," Thomas Wilson delves into the ancient origins and extensive cultural significance of the swastika, tracing its metamorphosis as a symbol across various civilizations. This meticulously researched work combines art history, archaeology, and anthropology to explore how the swastika has been employed in diverse contexts, often diverging from its original connotations. Wilson's literary style is rigorous yet accessible, inviting readers to reflect on the implications of cultural symbols in a changing world, while situating the swastika within a broader discourse on symbolism and identity in human history. Thomas Wilson, a noted curator and scholar at the Smithsonian Institution in the late 19th century, dedicated much of his career to understanding and interpreting the intricacies of material culture. With a keen interest in ancient artifacts, Wilson's profound curiosity about the intersection of myth, art, and social dynamics informed his analysis of the swastika, as he sought to peel back layers of misunderstanding surrounding its symbolism throughout different epochs. I highly recommend Wilson's pivotal text to scholars, students, and general readers alike. This book not only illuminates a historically rich symbol but also serves as a cautionary tale about the mutable nature of meaning in cultural discourse. Through Wilson's masterful narrative, readers will gain an enriched perspective on the complexities of symbols and their potential to shape both identity and ideology. In this enriched edition, we have carefully created added value for your reading experience: - Hand-picked Memorable Quotes shine a spotlight on moments of literary brilliance. - Interactive footnotes clarify unusual references, historical allusions, and archaic phrases for an effortless, more informed read.
Zusammenfassung
The author of the work derives the origins of what we know as a swastika symbol from the earliest cultures. He studies its origins in the ancient shapes of a cross and brings the comparison of different types of cross symbols, which later evolved in the swastika. Further, the author examines the role of the swastika in the extreme Orient (Japan, Korea, China, and Tibet), the classical Orient (Babylonia, Assyria, Chaldea, and Persia, Phenicia, Lycaonia, Armenia, Caucasus, and Asia Minor - including Troy and mentioning Schliemann), Africa (Egypt, Algeria, Ashantee), classical Occident (Mediterranean - Greece, Cyprus, Rhodes, Milos, and Thera), Europe (the Bronze Age, the Gallo-Roman period, the Anglo-Saxon period, and the swastika on ancient coins), the United States of America (in pre-Columbian times, among the North American Indians, and a "colonial patchwork"), Central America (Nicaragua, Yucatan, and Costa Rica), and South America (Brazil and Paraguay). He shows various artifacts associated with the swastika, including spindle-whorls, coins, vases, and idols. The author also notes the importance of this symbol among both the ancient Buddhists and Hindus. It is generally a very deep and interesting study showing the universalism of the swastika symbol in different cultures of the world.