upsided down cross blasphemous?

[Momus]

Aaaah, I know what you're talking about now, Yojimbo.Actually, the "Swastika" on Chinese coins would have been backwards, they do have proper directions. It was a symbol used widely around Asia and spread to other countries. The Swastika and this symbol and this one had nothing to do with each other, just coincedence. And I learned it all from a manga. Just another way Japan improves our lives. Yeah, and the original text would have been mixed with Arabic and a good deal of Hebrew. But that is a modern way( I have no clue about in the past) of abbreviating Caesar's famous words.

[shooraijin]

There are still swastikas commonly used (but facing the reverse direction from the Nazi swastika) in Asian countries; I remember seeing a number of them, even a charitable organization that used it as its logo, when I was in Malaysia.

[LadyKokoro]

In the Catholic Church ... as I have been told ... an upsidown cross is called a St Peter's Cross due to historical records of his execution. There is a a number of different types of crosses - some were X's, some were the traditional t's and others were on their side. None of which were ment to be pretty. The Romans used them all ... it is also all in the context which it is used. I think it also has more to do with the situation where one is ... as of late there are a few groups that have commondered it for their anti-christian purposes, but it is still a true cross, not a definite sign of contempt ... any more. As for the swatika (in it's many forms), it was a form of symbolic cross, originally to display strength and unity - not the negative image that it has become. Sad when people take a symbol that means something good and twists it.

[mitsuki lover]

I believe St.Andrew was crucified on an X shaped cross.This is why the flag of
Scotland has a X shape cross on it.
As far as the swastika goes,according to World War II 4,139 Strange And
Fascinating Facts by Don McCombs and Fred L.Worth (c 1983),p.569:
"The design dates back to prehistoric times,with the word itself derived
from the Sanskrit meaning 'good luck'.Hitler adapted the symbol from earlier
German anti-Jewish organizations that had used it to cover up the Star of David.
Nearly every ancient religion of the world used the swastika or a variation."

[Ingemar]

[quote="shooraijin"]There are still swastikas commonly used (but facing the reverse direction from the Nazi swastika) in Asian countries]

The historical Swastika did not have the 45 degree tilt that the Hakenkreutz did. Also, before Adolf Hitler was a thought in anyone's mind, the Swastika was used by (few) American cowboys as a good-luck charm, much like a horseshoe.

Some sources say that even ancient synagogues had swastikas in them, but I have yet to see if this is true or not.

[CobaltAngel]

Wow! I didn't know any of that, thank you guys. I see alot of stuff like that on dA, and when I saw someone with an unsidedown cross as their avatar, my first reaction was to be offended, but then I wondered if it was a christian just trying to be overly creative. It's nice to have that cleared up.

[CDLviking]

Well, most of the time that you see an upside down cross it is meant to be offensive. Most people are unfamiliar with the manner of Peter's martyrdom and use it without any reference to him. It's very rare to see it used in a positive fashion.

[mitsuki lover]

It should be added that crucifixion usually took days and sometimes,depending on the strength of the victim,even weeks before death finally came.This is why the guards had to break the bones of the theives who were crucified with Jesus.If they hadn't the men would have lived into the Sabbath,which to the overly strict Jews would have been sacreligious since according to the Law anyone hanging was
considered a curse.

[Ingemar]

Oh! Here is an example of the "historical" swastika.

http://www.cafepress.com/learnkendo.16459039?zoom=yes#zoom

On the second row, you should see it. Like I said, no 45 degree tilt unlike the Nazi hakenkreutz. So, the swastika was used even as a samurai crest!

EDIT: There is also one on the ninth row, surrounded with a circle. Again, no 45 degree tilt, and it's facing the opposite direction.

[soul alive]

*random factiod*
the 45 degree tilt of the Nazi swastika was intended to give the symbol a look of movement, to symbolize the Nazis taking over the world and crushing their enemies. (at least i think, i may be wrong, since it was a while since i learned that, and my memory may be rusty)