The Swastika, the Earliest Known Symbol, and Its Migration / With Observations on the Migration of Certain Industries in Prehistoric Times

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

40812

Title

The Swastika, the Earliest Known Symbol, and Its Migration / With Observations on the Migration of Certain Industries in Prehistoric Times

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This book, written by Thomas Wilson, explores the origins and migrations of the Swastika symbol, examining its presence in various cultures and time periods. Wilson argues that the Swastika's widespread use is evidence of its migration from one culture to another, rather than independent invention. He cites examples from ancient civilizations, including Egypt, Greece, and India, and discusses the symbol's use in modern times, particularly in Oriental and Scandinavian countries. Wilson's work is a comprehensive study of the Swastika's history...

Summary up to 500 words

The Swastika, the Earliest Known Symbol, and Its Migration is a comprehensive study of the Swastika's history and significance. Written by Thomas Wilson, the book explores the origins and migrations of the symbol, examining its presence in various cultures and time periods. Wilson argues that the Swastika's widespread use is evidence of its migration from one culture to another, rather than independent invention. He cites examples from ancient civilizations, including Egypt, Greece, and India, and discusses the symbol's use in modern times, particularly in Oriental and Scandinavian countries. The book is a substantial overview of the narrative, major figures, and ideas, development, themes, and significance of the Swastika's history and migration. Wilson's work is a significant contribution to the field of prehistoric anthropology, shedding light on the symbol's enduring presence across cultures and time. The Swastika is a complex symbol with multiple forms and meanings, and its use has been documented in various cultures and time periods. Wilson notes that the Swastika is difficult to make, requiring care and attention, and that its rarity in modern times is evidence of its migration from one culture to another. The book also explores the use of the Swastika in modern times, particularly in Oriental and Scandinavian countries, and notes that its use has been perpetuated in some countries and has not died out all over the world. The author argues that the Swastika's migration is evidence of contact and communication between cultures, and that its use in both countries as a charm, with the same significance, is strong evidence of contact. The book also discusses the theory of independent invention, which suggests that the Swastika was invented separately in different countries, and argues that this theory is less likely than the theory of migration. The author notes that the human intellect is formed on unknown bases, is uncertain in its methods, and arrives at different conclusions, making it unlikely that the same result would be produced in different countries without contact or communication. The book concludes that the Swastika's migration is evidence of contact and communication between cultures, and that its use in both countries as a charm, with the same significance, is strong evidence of contact. The author also notes that the Swastika's use in modern times is confined principally to Oriental and Scandinavian countries, and that it has become extinct in western Europe, where it was most frequent in ancient times. The book is a significant contribution to the field of prehistoric anthropology, shedding light on the symbol's enduring presence across cultures and time.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Symbolism