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| Fig. 13a. OGEE AND SPIRAL SWASTIKAS. Tetraskelion (four-armed). | Fig. 13b. SPIRAL AND VOLUTE. Triskelion (three-armed). | |
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| Fig. 13c. SPIRAL AND VOLUTE. (Five or many armed.) | Fig. 13d. OGEE SWASTIKA, WITH CIRCLE. | |
| PECULIAR FORMS OF SWASTIKA. | ||
NAMES AND DEFINITIONS OF THE SWASTIKA.
The Swastika has been called by different names in different countries, though nearly all countries have in later years accepted the ancient Sanskrit name of Swastika; and this name is recommended as the most definite and certain, being now the most general and, indeed, almost universal. It was formerly spelled s-v-a-s-t-i-c-a and s-u-a-s-t-i-k-a, but the later spelling, both English and French, is s-w-a-s-t-i-k-a. The definition and etymology of the word is thus given in Littre’s French Dictionary:
Svastika, or Swastika, a mystic figure used by several (East) Indian sects. It was equally well known to the Brahmins as to the Buddhists. Most of the rock inscriptions in the Buddhist caverns in the west of India are preceded or followed by the holy (sacramentelle) sign of the Swastika. (Eug. Burnouf, “Le Lotus de la bonne loi.” Paris, 1852, p. 625.) It was seen on the vases and pottery of Rhodes (Cyprus) and Etruria. (F. Delaunay, Jour. Off., Nov. 18, 1873, p. 7024, 3d Col.)
Etymology: A Sanskrit word signifying happiness, pleasure, good luck. It is composed of Su (equivalent of Greek εὖ), “good,” and asti, “being,” “good being,” with the suffix ka (Greek κα, Latin co).
In the “Revue d’Ethnographie” (IV, 1885, p. 329), Mr. Dumoutier gives the following analysis of the Sanskrit swastika:
Su, radical, signifying good, well, excellent, or suvidas, prosperity.
Asti, third person, singular, indicative present of the verb as, to be, which is sum in Latin.
Ka, suffix forming the substantive.
Professor Whitney in the Century Dictionary says, Swastika—[Sanskrit, lit., “of good fortune.” Svasti (Su, well, + asti, being), welfare.] Same as fylfot. Compare Crux ansata and gammadion.