Swastika

:For the town in Ontario, see Swastika, Ontario.

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The swastika () is an equilateral cross with its arms bent at right angles either clockwise or anticlockwise. It is traditionally oriented so that a main line is horizontal, though it is occasionally rotated at forty-five degrees, and the Hindu version is often decorated with a dot in each quadrant; the un-dotted version is considered more formal in Hinduism.

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The swastika is a holy symbol in Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism. In the West, it is more widely known as the badge of the Nazi movement.

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The motif seems to have first been used by early inhabitants of Eurasia. However, it was also adopted in Native American cultures, seemingly independently. The swastika is now used universally in religious and civil ceremonies in India. Most Indian temples, wedding, festivals and celebrations are decorated with swastikas. By the early 20th century it was widely used worldwide, and was regarded as a symbol of good luck and auspiciousness.

Swastika: :For the town in Ontario, see Swastika, Ontario....

Equilateral: In geometry, an equilateral polygon has all sides of the same length. By definition a square is always equilateral (see also rectangle):...

Right angles: REDIRECT Right angle...