Harry says sorry for Nazi costume

BBC ^

[Gomez]

Prince Harry has apologised for wearing a swastika armband to a friend's fancy dress party.

[Ginifer]

Just a little info:

The swastika is an ancient religious symbol of luck and prosperity with a remarkably diverse history. Its name comes from the Sanskrit "svasti," meaning well-being. It dates back over 3,000 years, and has adorned Indian textiles, Buddhist temples, Native American clothing, and coins from the ancient Greek city of Troy.

The ubiquity of the swastika before its appropriation by the Nazis seems jarring today. At the turn of the century, it was used by Coca Cola and the Boy Scouts. During World War I, it could be found on the patches of the American 45th Air Division.

By the time Hitler chose the swastika as the symbol of the Nazi Party in 1935, it was a common symbol that had been already seen in various Germanic and nationalistic contexts. In terms of propaganda, it was a textbook example of appropriating a well-known brand. Many Native American tribes renounced the symbol after it became associated with Hitler.

The swastika's exact origins are difficult to determine. It has been described as a Greek cross with its arms bent at right angles. Others note its symbolism of the four cardinal directions. It's a universal geometric form that symbolizes celestial and terrestrial elements.

[TomGuy]

IIRC, the Navaho Indians and the Australian Aborigines used the swastika, too.

[humblegunner]

I think not!

[Red Sea Swimmer]

Very interesting. I knew about it's Asian history, but not that it was used by Coca Cola. I wonder what symbol was Pepsi using at the time ? :)

[festus]

Coulda been worse. He could have been wearin the lampshade too....

[Wilhelm Tell]

He should have said he was masquerading as his uncle, the Duke of windsor.

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Wilhelm Tell]

"...and whatever you do, don't mention the War!"

[Windcatcher]

ROFL. (looks for the tape)

[Ginifer]

"Very interesting. I knew about it's Asian history, but not that it was used by Coca Cola. I wonder what symbol was Pepsi using at the time ? :)"

Don't know the answer, but I'm sure you can find it here:

http://www.sodamuseum.bigstep.com/generic.jhtml?pid=3

[Phantom Lord]

I don't see the problem. A recent poll in England found that somewhere around 65% had no idea what Auschiwitz (sp?) was.

[Phantom Lord]

I imagine having lost his mother at a young age has clouded his judgment.

I call BS on that.

[Red Sea Swimmer]

Nasty comment.

[Phantom Lord]

Eric Cartman dressed as Hitler for Holloween. The teachers and principal didn't like it. So they put him in a KKK costume.

[kiwiexpat]

I also saw the swatiska in tile in Christchurch Catherdal, the main Anglican church in Christchurch New Zealand. The catherdal was build in about 1870; the swatiska was symbol commonly used by Christainity and other religions until Hitler came along and perverted it.

[fish hawk]

A lot of people dress up like Nero at parties, is that less bad than Nazi? Some dress like the Devil. Have we let Political Correctness get into our parties now? How about G. Khan or Attila? where do we stop? Black face is out. I guess Mary with a little lamb is okay.

[cyncooper]

Check this out.

I had no opinion of Harry before; I do now.

[cyncooper]

I was thinking it was having a father who wants to be a tampon that might have scrambled his brains.

[cyncooper]

What a day, eh?

What's going to pop up next?

[paltz]

Don't they teach the consequences of such actions in "Prince" school?