The Swastika and the Star of David

By Group Six

World War IIBattle between Allied Forces & Axis Powers

Fought on Western & Eastern Front

Allied Forces

Axis Powers

German Power

Holocaust

Opposing Symbols

Swastika Star of David

Swastika: Two Kinds

Left- Right-

Hand Hand

Left-Hand: darkness, force

Ex: Hindu death goddess Kali

Right-Hand: fortune, longevity

Ex: gentle god Buddha

Buddhists, Hindus, Tibetans

Footprints of Buddha – good fortune

Used in inscriptions & accounts

Wan (10,000) – abundanceUsed to mark doors

Navajo IndiansSymbol of sun and fireMedicine men use in healing rites

Boys shave on headsBasketball team uniforms

WWI – Americans and Finnish soldiers

Swedish & Danish companiesNepal voter ballotsPhiladelphia Museum of Art / Capitol Building

German PrideRotated right-hand swastika – Aryan race superiority

Symbol on Nazi flag and of Nazi party

Armbands, badges, posters

Anti-Jewish SymbolIn concentration camps

Racist writings

Negative Symbol Today (neo-Nazi)

Star of DavidUsed in antiquity – for protection, luck

Amulets

Sacred symbol, found in cathedrals and graves

Jewish SymbolJews in Prague made it official symbol

Magen David (magen = shield)

Literal: shield of King David

Metaphorical: God (Protector)

Mystical Meaning3 entities: God, Torah (book), Israel

7 virtues: Kindness, Severity, Harmony, Perseverance, Splendor, Foundation, and Royalty

Tragic Meaning in Nazi Holocaust

Jews forced to wear Star on their clothing for ID

On Stores - Discrimination

Holocaust

HumiliationDiscriminationSegregationPersecution

Symbol of HopeGermany lost warJews built homeland (Israel)

On Israeli flag

Israeli Red Cross

StrengthFaithHope

SimilaritiesBoth originated in ancient times

Both widely used by various cultures

Both originally meant fortune, prosperity,

well-being

DifferencesSwastika – symbol of Nazis: superiority of Aryan race, inferiority of Jews

Star of David – symbol of Jews: faith in God, persecution by Nazis

TodaySwastika – negative symbol – neo-Nazi racism (hate groups)

Star of David – positive symbol – Jewish solidarity and identity