Reclaim the Swastika...can it be done?

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Tattoo parlours across the world are offering free swastika tattoos next week as part of an event to "reclaim" the symbol from the Nazis.

Parlours have signed up to the worldwide scheme entitled "Learn to Love the Swastika" which aims to "spread knowledge and appreciation of the gentle swastika" before it was used by the Nazi Regime in World War 2.

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I am considering taking part in this and having a version tattooed on my ankle.

I have always hated the fact that this symbol has been twisted to represent the horrors that occurred by the Nazi's during WWII and how the Swastika is seen in the Western World as some sort of symbol of evil when it really means the opposite.

Although, I also cant help but think that it would cause a few awkward looks from passers by and possibly a few arguments with people who see it and assume (wrongly) that by having the Swastika tattooed on my body I support Neo-Nazism and in that situation I would hope I would be able to educate and enlighten people to the real meaning of the Swastika.

Would anyone else consider joining the event and where would you have the tattoo? If you did, how would you explain it to others when asked?
 
Jesus. Now I'm thinking of it.

Nice idea. I studied sanskrit as a child and learned all about Hinduism and its civilisation.

However, it depends on how the swastika is done. If it done with the four dots, I would consider it. Not the way the Nazis did it, that's asking for trouble.
 
I suspect there is too much hysteria about Nazis for the swastika to be reclaimed in this manner. And if you got a tattoo, no matter what sort of person you are, you would be reviled and attacked frequently, pretty much proven by that link to the Scottish newspaper.

It's a shame really.
 
How about these representations of the same symbol..

No hotlinking.

Some of these are really nice, and you would be hard pressed to 'see' the Nazi style Swastika in some of these designs
 
Done by one of the best artists in Europe, if not the World.

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Personally though, I prefer this one.

eEtF1sR.jpg
 
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Yeah, while I'm at it I'm going to reclaim the Hitler moustache as normal facewear. I'll be sporting a symbol of peace tattoed on my skin, with my Movember moustache to help raise money for charity! And yet, I don't think it would come across well. No, as much as it is a good cause, I will abstain.
 
yeah good luck with the job situation with a swastika.

doesn't matter what it used to mean - in the west its a fascist symbol and will be for a long time to come.
 
It's beyond reclaiming. As long as WW2 is remembered (and it should be remembered forever), then it will always be linked to the Nazi's and what they stood for along with the horrendous acts they committed.
 
Why do women try to reclaim random stuff? The word '****', the Swastika. I hear the uglier ones are also trying to reclaim Hitler's 'tache.
 
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