svastica

swastika

noun ZVAH-stee-kah Rare

Origin: From Sanskrit svastika (lucky symbol), from svasti (well-being).

Usage Note

Svastica is the Italian word for the swastika. Historically the symbol predates Nazism and appeared in many cultures as a symbol of good fortune, but in Italian (as in most European languages) it is now almost exclusively associated with the Nazi regime. Displaying it publicly is a criminal offence under Italian law (apologia del fascismo). Plural: svastiche.

Examples

"La svastica è un simbolo del nazismo."

Natural Translation

The swastika is a symbol of Nazism.

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