The Swastika or Fylfot: Its use in Heathenry

Zoomorphic Swastika Horse Brooch, c. 3rd Cent AD

The ever-controversial swastika or fylfot is a stick subject for most Heathens. First, it has been used by Nazis as a symbol of hate since the since the 1930s and is still used today by hate groups. So, should Heathens continue to use the fylfot?

The “swastika” has been used by ancient and modern peoples as a symbol of good luck. Many Eastern religions still use its image. Heathenry on the other hand has mixed feelings on this. Within Heathenry, the swastika design has been found on artefacts of various European cultures since the Neolithic, and it recurs with some frequency on artefacts dated to the Germanic Iron Age. Examples include a 2nd-century funerary urn of the Przeworsk culture, the 3rd century Værløse Fibula from Zealand, Denmark, the Gothic spearhead from Brest-Litovsk, Belarus, the 9th century Snoldelev Stone from Ramsø, Denmark, and numerous Migration Period bracteates. The swastika is drawn either left-facing or right-facing, sometimes with "feet" attached to its four legs.[1] The early Anglo-Saxon ship burial at Sutton Hoo, England, contained numerous items bearing the swastika, and Swastika is clearly marked on a hilt and sword belt found at Bifrons in Bekesbourne, Kent, in a grave of about the 6th century. Historians and anthropologists interpret the swastika as being associated with Thor and connected to the Bronze Age as a sun wheel. Graves found in pagan Anglo-Saxon England have been found, suggesting the swastika may be associated with funeral rites, giving rise to the idea that the swastika represents the wheel of continual life. Essentially, the Germanic peoples were carving the swastika onto rocks as far back as the Bronze Age, before most other Germanic symbols, including the runes, had yet appeared. No mater its past uses pre-Nazism, the swastika is marred by its abuse in the hands of Nazi Germany.

As Heathens, where do we go from here? The Troth, the leading Universalist Asatru organization, has stated that “It is clear that the Swastika is most commonly invoked not by those who wish to worship the light and life giving sun, but those who wish to worship hatred and the blood soaked racial purity visions of history’s most blood soaked madman.”[2] The Troth’s opinion is that the Swastika is forever tainted and should not be in use by honest Heathens. I am a member of The Troth, and while I respect this opinion, I disagree.

Using the Swastika is up to each individual Asatruar, however you must be aware of its implications and how you use it. You must understand that the image of the swastika is offence to some (if not many) who view it as a hate symbol. Thus, public use and display will invoke negativity and accusations of racism. Be aware of the negative connotations!

Midsummer Sun Wheel

My use and the use within the Cyndred Hall of Hammerhof is extremely limited. Most of the time the fylfot is represented as a sun wheel or sun cross, and never the image of the bent arm swastika. At Midsummer we often create a sun wheel of grape vines covered in flowers which is lit alight after the blót. We do not see the use of the fylfot as a symbol of hate, but that of light and life. This is made perfectly clear to all kin and guests who we accept into our Hall. We fully understand that some of our Heathen friends and allies may be upset with this decision, but we do not feel that we as Heathens should allow neo-Nazis masquerading as heathens to abuse our faith. 

---

[1] Margrethe, Kjærum, P., & Olsen, R. A. (1990). Oldtidens Ansigt: Faces of the Past. Copenhagen: Kongelige Nordiske oldskriftselskab. 148.

[2] Main, J. (2018, February 9). The Troth. Retrieved May 29, 2020, from https://www.thetroth.org/news/20180209-120444