Swastikas in Architecture: When a symbol meant good fortune, not hate

Have you ever noticed a swastika as an architectural detail? Before you gather the mob and bring out the pitchforks, know that before World War II, the swastika was used widely across various cultures and was not associated with the negative connotations it later gained. Its origins go back thousands of years, and it has been seen as a symbol of good fortune, prosperity, and spiritual significance in many different societies.

Cornice at the Wilmington Public Library.

In ancient times, the swastika was common in the art and architecture of cultures across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. For example, in Hinduism and Buddhism, the symbol was associated with peace, luck, and the sun. In ancient Greece, it appeared on pottery and was seen as a symbol of life or eternity. It was also present in early Christian art and was often used as a symbol of the cross.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the swastika saw a resurgence in Europe, particularly in Germany. It was used in art, architecture, and design, often as a symbol of good luck and vitality, long before its adoption by the Nazi Party. For instance, it appeared on buildings, public monuments, and various decorative items. Its use was promoted by the Arts and Crafts movement and also linked to ideas about national pride and cultural revival in various countries.

In architecture, the swastika was often used as a decorative motif in tiles, mosaic patterns, and even on the facades of buildings, especially in the United States and Europe. It was seen as a geometric pattern that conveyed harmony, balance, and continuity.

Unfortunately, after the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi regime in the 1930s, the swastika’s meaning was permanently altered. The Nazis co-opted the symbol, associating it with their ideology of racial purity and aggression. This transformation dramatically changed how the symbol was perceived, and it has been almost exclusively associated with hatred and violence ever since.

But before this, the swastika had a very different connotation. It was a symbol of positivity, deeply ingrained in many cultures long before it became the emblem of the Nazi Party.

Have you noticed this architectural feature?  There are several buildings in and around Lancaster with this in the tiles. Look down as you are going into buildings, and you may notice them like this downtown Lancaster business entryway tile.

Downtown Lancaster business entryway sidewalk tile.