Chinese sabre blade believed of late Ming dynasty with svastika markings

fernando · 1st December 2020, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Interesting...
The right-sided version ( clockwise) in Hinduism is a symbol of Surya( sun) and of good luck, prosperity etc. In short , all the good stuff.
In contrast, left-sided ( counter clockwise) is associated with night, darkness and Kali.

Never thought deeply about this subject, but what is this left-sided one doing on Buddha’s chest? Unless, of course, the pic was reversed:-) This is impossible, because his right arm is raised...

Countless interpretations seem to appear, one more in favor of Lord Buddha, on what the Swastica version (counter clockwie) concerns.
... As also variants in form, found all over the world, in rock art, church doors, ceilings, etc. We find them often here, in Archeologic sites.

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Interested Party · 11th December 2020, 03:49 PM

I remember for Celts it was a symbol of death and rebirth. Related to the sun and possibly fortunes wheel. A legacy of an Indo-European culture that produced both Celtic and Sanskrit. Sorry I can't site sources, but university was a good bit ago

josh stout · 14th December 2020, 05:33 PM

I would like to respond to Jim's earlier question.

"My interest in the symbol, as a Buddhist symbol, and in its application in the motif on weapons, would be why are these sequenced in the numeric five?
The three is of course well known symbolically in religions, and we have determined that the symbol itself is generally held as a symbol of good fortune, success and positive force."

Several posts have mentioned the swastika as a sun symbol, but the four quadrants represent thus sun in relation to the four seasons of the earth. The angled arms represent the sun going around the earth (it looked like that anyway). So it is a symbol of the sun and the earth, much like the Celtic cross (cross in a circle).

So why have five of them? In Chinese numerology, the number four is associated with the earth, but is considered unlucky because it is the earth without humans. The number five specifically represents our five pointed shape, and is considered the human number. There are of course many important "fives" in Chinese mythology, such as the five elements, but in my opinion, the maker of this sword wanted to avoid an unlucky association with the number four. Four is the number of death, and that is a bit intense on the side of a blade.

Ren Ren · 14th December 2020, 06:08 PM

Just now I noticed this fascinating topic!
I think that 5 images of the swastika symbolize 5 types of happiness - longevity, wealth and prosperity, body health and peace of mind, virtue and a peaceful end in the family circle. These were very important concepts in ancient China. Most often they were symbolized by 5 bats around the "shou" character 夀 "longevity, immortality" (a bat in Chinese "fu" is a homonym of the happiness). This mark is quite common on Chinese weapons.

11th December 2020, 03:49 PM	#2
Interested Party Member Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Eastern Sierra Posts: 491	I remember for Celts it was a symbol of death and rebirth. Related to the sun and possibly fortunes wheel. A legacy of an Indo-European culture that produced both Celtic and Sanskrit. Sorry I can't site sources, but university was a good bit ago

14th December 2020, 05:33 PM	#3
josh stout Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 407	I would like to respond to Jim's earlier question. "My interest in the symbol, as a Buddhist symbol, and in its application in the motif on weapons, would be why are these sequenced in the numeric five? The three is of course well known symbolically in religions, and we have determined that the symbol itself is generally held as a symbol of good fortune, success and positive force." Several posts have mentioned the swastika as a sun symbol, but the four quadrants represent thus sun in relation to the four seasons of the earth. The angled arms represent the sun going around the earth (it looked like that anyway). So it is a symbol of the sun and the earth, much like the Celtic cross (cross in a circle). So why have five of them? In Chinese numerology, the number four is associated with the earth, but is considered unlucky because it is the earth without humans. The number five specifically represents our five pointed shape, and is considered the human number. There are of course many important "fives" in Chinese mythology, such as the five elements, but in my opinion, the maker of this sword wanted to avoid an unlucky association with the number four. Four is the number of death, and that is a bit intense on the side of a blade.

14th December 2020, 06:08 PM	#4
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 379	Just now I noticed this fascinating topic! I think that 5 images of the swastika symbolize 5 types of happiness - longevity, wealth and prosperity, body health and peace of mind, virtue and a peaceful end in the family circle. These were very important concepts in ancient China. Most often they were symbolized by 5 bats around the "shou" character 夀 "longevity, immortality" (a bat in Chinese "fu" is a homonym of the happiness). This mark is quite common on Chinese weapons.