Maasmechelen Swastika
Belgian news last week picked up the story of a fountain in Maasmechelen which, after sitting happily in front of City Hall since 1979, will now be torn down and rebuilt. The reason for this change is the recent Google Earth discovery that when viewed from a satellite the fountain is in the shape of a Swastika.
Apparently the fountain’s designer always knew it was a Swastika, an ancient symbol of the Sun god which the Nazis tarnished. But the mayor cried “Tear it down!” and it will be rebuilt in the less offensive shape of a shamrock.
Thanks: jaques, fievel & Brecht
funky
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Mizo - shocking! Are you sure these are apartment buildings? I’m well aware that the swastika had a prior meaning before Nazism stole it. Mirrored and rotated 45 degrees, I believe it’s a Buddhist peace symbol or something. Anyone care to clarify or correct me?
But still, I would not expect to find buildings (apparently rather big ones!) in this formation in the United States. The fountain featured in this post is nothing in comparison. I’d love to hear the story behind these apartments, or whatever they are.
Those buildings remind me more of dormitories than apartments for some reason. There’s a sports field, large pool and tennis court all near by, along with a lot of parking space.. I wonder if it’s on a military base or something. I thought perhaps college but it doesn’t look very “campus” like
In its defence, its quite a good design, allows lots of people to get sunlight.
How about this one,. It’s a hospital in Amsterdam, not as obvious, but still Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth
It’s a US Navy base at Coronado - the SEALs train just across the road (on the ocean side), and there is an Amphibious Warfare school on the base
grrr. i submitted that apartments in san diego AGES ago but it never got used.
(that grrr isnt aimed at you btw mizo)
There is a long and very detailed history of the swastika on wiki
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika
including a reference to my old school, Aylesbury Grammar School.
I seem to be vaguely aware of the swastika mentioned but didnt realise the story behind it. It would explain a lot about some of my old teachers (and some of the pupils come to think of it!) especially Mr Drury my old Physics teacher who was a complete fascist IMO!
At the risk of making this the Megaswastica post, here is the Denver Airport:
Placemark: Google Maps / Google Earth
I guess it is also an economical design in terms of airport opperations… provided you have unlimited supply of land.
As a sun god worshipper, I find it offensive that you want to remove my god’s symbol from all public places. Aren’t the majority of Catholic churches in the shape of a cross?!?
I’m kidding, of course. And seriously, aren’t we getting just a bit too politically correct now… come on, the airport?!?
http://www.abovetopsecret.com/forum/thread26414/pg1
Denver becomes alot more political inside. Take a look at the thread on that forum, but it’s mostly conspiricy speculation based on some of the stuff inside of the building.
“There are hints of a future use as a containment camp. There are signs of potential future uses such as a vast fenced in area connected to the airport with nothing in it, but the barbed wire is pointing in as if to keep people inside. There are murals depicting dead children and burning skyscrapers and a nazi.”
But hey, why do all the Architects have to be Nazis?
I’m currently living in Taiwan which is prominently Buddhist / Taoist. The swastika is indeed used as a symbol of Buddism, however the arms rotate the opposite direction to the ‘nazi’ swastika. They use it a lot on temples, religious statues, etc. I’ve even seen it used as a logo on kids clothes. Vegetarian restaurants often hang a lantern with a swastika painted on it outside. Temples are usually marked on maps by a swastika. While I know what it means, it can sometimes still be a little hard to adjust, particularly when I see little kids running around with it on their t-shirts
- Luke
That’s bullshit. It’s stupid removing it, and I am saying this as an jewish (atheist) person.
Say, Godwin’s Law doesn’t apply here, right?
I love Godwin’s law.
funny I find out on this blog.. I used to pass that fontain weekly and never knew!
I’ve seen Hindu temples with the swasthiks (that is how I have heard it pronouced) all over them. Even inside a six pointed star like the star of david, or the other way around. Have to admit, its always horizontal and vertical and not rotated at 45 degrees.
Both the six pointed star and the swasthik are sacred symbols for Hindus and probably Buddhists too. Search on google for “Sri Yantra” and “SRI SWASTIK YANTRA”, you’ll get the idea.
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Tom V.
fine cutting of grass