two things:
1- my Bhuddist students still see it as a sign of good luck (even though the one from their culture is inverted)
2- believe it or not (no, I'm not Ripley), the US Army 45th infantry used the swastika as their unit emblem prior to WW2. After the party's rise to power, they changed it to a Thunderbird.
Ironically enough, although the 45th distinguished itself in combat during the second world war, they were also accused of war crimes in Italy after a massacre of German and Italian POWs.
You can find good luck swastikas on many older Americana collectibles. It can also be seen in many Native American weavings.
...and this concludes my 2 AM history lesson...
MP
(pic below is the US 45th infantry patch, pre-WW2)
|