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Is Getting a Hindu-Style Swastika Tattoo Overly Controversial?
I'm considering getting a Hindu-style swastika tattooed on my chest. I am completely against Nazism, although I understand that the Western world is most familiar with swastikas representing this ideology. I would want a Hindu-style swastika in order to represent continuity, eternity, and a hope in things unseen. Oddly enough, my tattoo wouldn't even have Hinduism meaning for me, as it would have Christian significance instead. I understand how this sounds: I'm a Christian who wants to get a Hindu symbol that was adopted by the Nazis. But please bear with me.
The swastika I'd like to get is this one:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thum...
It does look different than the Nazi swastika, but it is still, unmistakably, a swastika. If you saw me with this tattoo, would you assume that I'm a neo-Nazi, or does it look different enough that you would reserve judgement? Do you think that people would get upset or angry with me? I don't want to cause undue confrontation.
Also, I'm a white male, which can only serve to add to the misunderstandings... What do you guys think?
8 Answers
- Anonymous9 years agoFavorite Answer
The average person will not know about the Hindu history of the swastika. That tattoo will forever be associated with the Nazis and wearing it could actually put your life in danger.
People WILL assume you are a neo-Nazi, including the police, should you ever be arrested.
That's one tattoo you just don't want to get.
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- Anonymous9 years ago
Very difficult.
I'm all for the rehabilitation of the swastika. You may well already know of the website Save the Swastika ( http://reclaimtheswastika.tumblr.com/ ), and the guy called ManWoman ( http://www.freewebs.com/manwomans/savetheswastika.... ) who has many swastika tattoos and argues that the Nazis have won a propaganda victory if we let them succeed in forever hjiacking an ancient and benign symbol.
But that subtlety (including the distinction between Nazi and Hindu swastikas) is going to be lost on most people. If the tattoo's visible, you're in for a lifetime of suspicion, explanation and hostility.
- Anonymous5 years ago
There are many different hindu symbols and I don't think the Swastika would be good one. I know it's a shame that Adolf had to go and do that and make it so negative but, now people would think the opposite of you if they ever saw it. If you really feel that you need it though, then get it. Some open minded people will understand. Good Luck
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- 9 years ago
If you want to avoid unnecessary controversy, just use Om (ॐ) instead; Om is the symbol for God in Hinduism, and represents many of the same things the Swastika does. Om even has more meaning in Hinduism than Swastika - Swastika is just a symbol meant to bring good luck placed outside temples.
Source(s): i know. / Hindu - JoshLv 49 years ago
Definitely overly controversial. Getting it is like begging for negative attention from people across the board.
- Anonymous9 years ago
Wouldent reccomend it, a lot of people won't like it.
Plus, you're probably smart, use your brain to come up with a better idea.
