The Influence of the Sintashtas : Origins of the Swastika, the 'Aryans', and the Chariot
The sacred and the benign as tools for evil
The two most popular Nazi concepts, that of the 'Aryan' and the usage of the Swastika symbol are both native to the ancient Sintashta civilization. The Sintashtas, aka 'Steppe Aryans' were an early Indo-European-speaking peoples (2200–1900 BCE) who originated in the Eurasian steppes during the Bronze Age. This culture is often seen as a direct precursor to the Indo-Iranian cultures. The religious and mythological concepts of the Steppe Aryans influenced the development of Vedic culture in India and Zoroastrianism in Persia.
The Concept of "Aryan"
The term "Aryan" is derived from the Proto-Indo-Iranian word "arya," which means "noble" or "honorable." In the context of the Sintashta culture, "arya" likely referred to a social class or group identity within their society. As the Indo-Iranians migrated from the Eurasian steppes into regions such as Iran and the Indian subcontinent, they carried the term with them. In these new regions, "Aryan" evolved to describe people of noble lineage or followers of particular cultural and religious practices. For example, in ancient Sanskrit texts like the Rigveda, "Arya" denoted the Vedic people, while in ancient Persia, it referred to the noble Iranian tribes.
The Swastika Symbol
The swastika, one of the oldest known symbols, also traces its origins to the Sintashta culture. Archaeological evidence shows that the swastika was used in various forms of art, pottery, and weaponry within the Sintashta society. In this ancient context, the swastika symbolized the sun, fertility, and auspiciousness, representing movement and continuity. Gennady Zdanovich, a Russian archaeologist who has studied some of the oldest examples of the symbol in Sintashta culture, suggests that the swastika represents the universe. It symbolizes the spinning constellations of the celestial north pole, centered in α Ursae Minoris, specifically the Little and Big Chariots. This is significant to me because the Sintashtas are also responsible for the invention of the chariot.
As the Indo-Iranians migrated, they spread the swastika symbol to different regions, where it was integrated into local cultures and religions. In India, the swastika became a prominent symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism, signifying good fortune, protection, and the cyclical nature of life. In ancient Iran, the swastika was associated with Zoroastrianism and symbolized the eternal struggle between good and evil.
The term "swastika" derives from the Sanskrit word "svastika," which means "good fortune" or "well-being." The root "svasti" combines "su," meaning "good" or "auspicious," with "asti," meaning "being" or "existence."
I mentioned the Nazi connection because I wanted to note how something sacred (the swastika) and even benign (the word Aryan) can be used as a tool for evil. Although it is still curious since we have only recently started to learn about the Sintashtas.
Very good article interviewing Russian archaeologist Gennady Zdanovich, who has extensively studied Arkaim, a fortified archaeological site belonging to the Sintashtas.
More.
Very interesting.
However, the Swastika had a marginal effect in turning normative Germans into a brainwashed Nazi mob in the 1930's, as it didn't symbolize the nationalistic 'make Germany great again'.