Svastika. In Hinduism this term, which means literally "well-being," is represented, in its righthanded form, svastika and associated with the sun. It signifies the Vedic solar Viṣṇu and is a symbol of the evolution of the cosmos. In astronomy this form of the svastika represents the solstitial change of the sun to the Tropic of Capricorn. It is regarded as auspicious and male. The lefthanded form svastika represents the sun during the autumn and winter seasons and is regarded as inauspicious and female. According to Hindu tradition the righthanded svastika should be painted on temple doors. It is also used as a good luck sign and for protection against evil forces, so it is often found on the front of a house. Svastika is also the name of a mythical half-man, half-snake, called a nāga. Members of the Magadha and some other tribes wore svastikas when engaged in battle. The svastika was adopted by the National Socialist Party in Germany in 1919 as a good luck symbol, called the Hakenkreuz, and in 1935 it was incorporated in the flag of the Third Reich. As a sun symbol it is found in antiquity, however, far beyond India, e.g., in Egypt and in Aegean pottery. The word is usually but not necessarily spelt "swastika" in English.

Geddes MacGregor, Dictionary of Religion and Philosophy, New York: Paragon House, 1989