The Gorgon and the Swastika
In Ancient Greece, the Gorgon was a talisman to ward off evil and bring good luck, much like the Swastika is known to be today.
A stone head, engraving, or drawing of a Gorgon face, often with snakes protruding wildly and the tongue sticking out between it's fangs frequently was placed on doors, walls, floors, coins, shields, breastplates, and tombstones. Similarly, in Hindu mythology, Kali is often shown with a protruding tongue and snakes around her head.
The large Gorgon eyes, as well as Athena's "flashing" eyes, are symbols termed "the divine eyes" by Gimbutas; they appear also in Athena's sacred bird, the little owl. They may be represented by spirals, wheels, concentric circles, swastikas, firewheels, and other images. The awkward stance of the gorgon, with arms and legs at angles is closely associated with these symbols as well.
Statues of Medusa are often shown with her limbs arranged in the form of a Swastika. The posture is also referred to as the "pinwheel pose".
In Ancient Greece, the Gorgon was a talisman to ward off evil and bring good luck, much like the Swastika is known to be today.
A stone head, engraving, or drawing of a Gorgon face, often with snakes protruding wildly and the tongue sticking out between it's fangs frequently was placed on doors, walls, floors, coins, shields, breastplates, and tombstones. Similarly, in Hindu mythology, Kali is often shown with a protruding tongue and snakes around her head.
The large Gorgon eyes, as well as Athena's "flashing" eyes, are symbols termed "the divine eyes" by Gimbutas; they appear also in Athena's sacred bird, the little owl. They may be represented by spirals, wheels, concentric circles, swastikas, firewheels, and other images. The awkward stance of the gorgon, with arms and legs at angles is closely associated with these symbols as well.
Statues of Medusa are often shown with her limbs arranged in the form of a Swastika. The posture is also referred to as the "pinwheel pose".