I know and I also wrote that, but and there is a big but we don't live in a world that people actually know the true meaning of the symbol, if you will ask 100 people world wide maybe 2 people will know the real history of the symbol and the other 98 will relate it to darker times... I don't know the true meaning of the artist but for now it's just tasteless... and even most Hindus don't use the symbol any more, any way you got my point.
I think it's pretty sad that a symbol originally having such deep religious and spiritual meaning to so many people, but then being altered to symbolise the monstrosities that Hitler and the Nazi Party carried out, well, it's altered the whole mindset. Precisely why Buri just said what he said. Shame really. Anyway, mini speech over.
band kiss used double ss same as nazi army used just for the reason to make people forget about the dark times and let more people think of them rather than nazis.
back to swastika, as you know nazis had it turned 45 degrees (difference to the original). in japan there is even a streetwear brand using swastika as their logo (challenger), independent (skateboard trucks) is using iron cross (nazi's award). these symbols are much more symbols of rebelion than actual nazism. sid vicious was wearing swastika t-shirt on one of his earlier jigs.
I have known from a very young age the meaning behind the symbol. I am sure more people know these days.
Yet what is the meaning of this toy? Is this toy saying something about the Nazi party? If so, it is tasteless. If not, I don't know how it can be tasteless?
Then again, I just looked at his blog and there are a few that have questionable politically correct moral standings.
The question is will any of you (these day and age) will walk the streets wearing a swastika shirt? ,explaining everyone who will stare at you (and they will) it's an Hindu symbol and not the in fumes Nazi symbol?, the answer is no because using this symbol in a western culture is taboo.
All the examples of using this symbol in other countries like Japan are useless, Japanese have different perception about life, I bet the if Japanese will see how we cheapen there culture in every way (Bimbos with Kanji sacred tattoos for example) they will be horrified as much as me right now to the sight of this horrible symbol being use with no reason beside aggravation depending on the artist other sculptures. This is why it's tasteless.
I don't think anyone is saying that people will not correlate the symbol to the swastika.
As its not directly made for religious purposes, the toy itself may cheapen the religious meaning behind the symbol; yet the artist is not using it out of context. The symbol is used on religious garbs for centuries. Its not just Hindu either. (I can't find it at the moment but I have seen Spanish religious garbs with them in the same place as this toy)
It would only be tasteless if it is out of context, such as walking down the street with a giant swastika on your shirt, as you pointed out. This is a toy that is clearly religious from the beginning, its even called "Priest" so the foundation is set.
You know that it is used as a religious symbol, so why does it horrify you? I would be more horrified that people can't let go and understand that it's use has meaning before and beyond the Nazis.
The use of it in context more often may even help release this stigma that the Nazis have left on it.
What we call the swastika today has been used by the Native Americans. In fact, the left-facing Native American "swastika" was painted into the propeller spinner of the Spirit of St. Louis, the plane Charles Lindbergh famously flew over the Atlantic without stopping. The symbol meant good luck to aviators. That happened well before the Third Reich.
@ Buri: Do you know Mark Gonzalez? Do you know for a fact he is not Hindu? I think you have started an interesting conversation, but you generalize when you say "most of the western world." The question should not be "will any of you ... walk the streets wearing a swastika shirt." It is a loaded question. A conversation is more inviting than a question, and maybe it's time to talk about religious diversity and have an inter-religious dialogue. I would hazard a guess that people would rather be listened to and understood than to hear value judgments spoken from soapboxes.
We could choose to be upset about much of the subject matter uploaded here, and it's impossible to know why others display the toys they do. In fact, when I think about it, many of the toys I own and want are not in line with my own values. To me it seems discordant, and others may get an impression of me that I didn't intend. Sexualized violence http://rotocasted.com/toy/5729/ Drugs are sexy http://rotocasted.com/toy/3248/ Violence in proximity to children http://rotocasted.com/toy/3249/ Drugs in proximity to children http://rotocasted.com/toy/2364/ The stereotype of "Satanism" http://rotocasted.com/toy/2244/ http://rotocasted.com/toy/722/ ("666" on the back) I display these toys in my home and online. They complicate simple views, smudge black and white, and interest me.
In the bottom line so we wont drag this conversation further down it's all about perspective...I guess we have different perspective about things due to different heritage and education . No matter how you twist it the sight of this symbol make me sick.
@CoMus, I really hope this symbol will never be recognize out of his horrific context as a constant reminder to the world of the darkest chapter in modern human history.
It is perspective and I totally understand where you are coming from but I always look on the bright side and look forward. Rather than fear and regret, the reminder should be from the heroism and the iconography of the "good" guys; promoting "freedom", "prosperity" and "hope".. all that jazz!
It's true that dark times shouldn't be forgotten, yet lessons should be learnt beyond the pain and suffering. Having their propaganda still haunt us by keeping the fear and continued hate will only give the Nazis power beyond their "grave".
The Germans shouldn't be brought down by it this day in age; they shouldn't be condemned by it through its use.
Perspective is what it is, its a shame that you had to feel pain from seeing it.
@CoMus - "The Germans shouldn't be brought down by it this day in age", Never said it.. I have many German friends and I actually lived in Germany for a while when I was younger, I love them like I love all humanity.
Any way you understand where my opinion and feelings comes from.
I wasn't implying you were. Just saying that they shouldn't have to deal with it being used as as a symbol of hate directly related to their country. What should be remembered is their own heroism and strength for survival after the war.
1
2
Buri
129 34 57
13 years ago
WTF is the deal with the swastika???... I know it's a Hindu sign but still not cool... I'm disgusted!
Buri
129 34 57
13 years ago
I know and I also wrote that, but and there is a big but we don't live in a world that people actually know the true meaning of the symbol, if you will ask 100 people world wide maybe 2 people will know the real history of the symbol and the other 98 will relate it to darker times... I don't know the true meaning of the artist but for now it's just tasteless... and even most Hindus don't use the symbol any more, any way you got my point.
elissa_s
388 689 743
13 years ago
I think it's pretty sad that a symbol originally having such deep religious and spiritual meaning to so many people, but then being altered to symbolise the monstrosities that Hitler and the Nazi Party carried out, well, it's altered the whole mindset. Precisely why Buri just said what he said. Shame really. Anyway, mini speech over.
CoMus
171 468 619
13 years ago
In Japan I saw them quite often, even on new texts. It was also used on all maps all the time to point out temples. Even google maps have them.
aargh
135 146 111
13 years ago
band kiss used double ss same as nazi army used just for the reason to make people forget about the dark times and let more people think of them rather than nazis.
back to swastika, as you know nazis had it turned 45 degrees (difference to the original). in japan there is even a streetwear brand using swastika as their logo (challenger), independent (skateboard trucks) is using iron cross (nazi's award). these symbols are much more symbols of rebelion than actual nazism. sid vicious was wearing swastika t-shirt on one of his earlier jigs.
Buri
129 34 57
13 years ago
All true but like I've said in most of the western world for now this is just tasteless.
CoMus
171 468 619
13 years ago
I have known from a very young age the meaning behind the symbol. I am sure more people know these days.
Yet what is the meaning of this toy? Is this toy saying something about the Nazi party? If so, it is tasteless. If not, I don't know how it can be tasteless?
Then again, I just looked at his blog and there are a few that have questionable politically correct moral standings.
http://markgonzalesthepriest....
Buri
129 34 57
13 years ago
The question is will any of you (these day and age) will walk the streets wearing a swastika shirt? ,explaining everyone who will stare at you (and they will) it's an Hindu symbol and not the in fumes Nazi symbol?, the answer is no because using this symbol in a western culture is taboo.
All the examples of using this symbol in other countries like Japan are useless, Japanese have different perception about life, I bet the if Japanese will see how we cheapen there culture in every way (Bimbos with Kanji sacred tattoos for example) they will be horrified as much as me right now to the sight of this horrible symbol being use with no reason beside aggravation depending on the artist other sculptures.
This is why it's tasteless.
CoMus
171 468 619
13 years ago
I don't think anyone is saying that people will not correlate the symbol to the swastika.
As its not directly made for religious purposes, the toy itself may cheapen the religious meaning behind the symbol; yet the artist is not using it out of context. The symbol is used on religious garbs for centuries. Its not just Hindu either. (I can't find it at the moment but I have seen Spanish religious garbs with them in the same place as this toy)
It would only be tasteless if it is out of context, such as walking down the street with a giant swastika on your shirt, as you pointed out. This is a toy that is clearly religious from the beginning, its even called "Priest" so the foundation is set.
You know that it is used as a religious symbol, so why does it horrify you? I would be more horrified that people can't let go and understand that it's use has meaning before and beyond the Nazis.
The use of it in context more often may even help release this stigma that the Nazis have left on it.
Tristan
343 224 314
13 years ago
What we call the swastika today has been used by the Native Americans. In fact, the left-facing Native American "swastika" was painted into the propeller spinner of the Spirit of St. Louis, the plane Charles Lindbergh famously flew over the Atlantic without stopping. The symbol meant good luck to aviators. That happened well before the Third Reich.
@ Buri: Do you know Mark Gonzalez? Do you know for a fact he is not Hindu? I think you have started an interesting conversation, but you generalize when you say "most of the western world." The question should not be "will any of you ... walk the streets wearing a swastika shirt." It is a loaded question. A conversation is more inviting than a question, and maybe it's time to talk about religious diversity and have an inter-religious dialogue. I would hazard a guess that people would rather be listened to and understood than to hear value judgments spoken from soapboxes.
We could choose to be upset about much of the subject matter uploaded here, and it's impossible to know why others display the toys they do. In fact, when I think about it, many of the toys I own and want are not in line with my own values. To me it seems discordant, and others may get an impression of me that I didn't intend.
Sexualized violence
http://rotocasted.com/toy/5729/
Drugs are sexy
http://rotocasted.com/toy/3248/
Violence in proximity to children
http://rotocasted.com/toy/3249/
Drugs in proximity to children
http://rotocasted.com/toy/2364/
The stereotype of "Satanism"
http://rotocasted.com/toy/2244/
http://rotocasted.com/toy/722/ ("666" on the back)
I display these toys in my home and online. They complicate simple views, smudge black and white, and interest me.
Buri
129 34 57
13 years ago
In the bottom line so we wont drag this conversation further down it's all about perspective...I guess we have different perspective about things due to different heritage and education .
No matter how you twist it the sight of this symbol make me sick.
@CoMus, I really hope this symbol will never be recognize out of his horrific context as a constant reminder to the world of the darkest chapter in modern human history.
CoMus
171 468 619
13 years ago
It is perspective and I totally understand where you are coming from but I always look on the bright side and look forward. Rather than fear and regret, the reminder should be from the heroism and the iconography of the "good" guys; promoting "freedom", "prosperity" and "hope".. all that jazz!
It's true that dark times shouldn't be forgotten, yet lessons should be learnt beyond the pain and suffering. Having their propaganda still haunt us by keeping the fear and continued hate will only give the Nazis power beyond their "grave".
The Germans shouldn't be brought down by it this day in age; they shouldn't be condemned by it through its use.
Perspective is what it is, its a shame that you had to feel pain from seeing it.
Tristan
343 224 314
13 years ago
"It's a shame that you had to feel pain from seeing it." I agree with CoMus.
Buri
129 34 57
13 years ago
@CoMus - "The Germans shouldn't be brought down by it this day in age", Never said it.. I have many German friends and I actually lived in Germany for a while when I was younger, I love them like I love all humanity.
Any way you understand where my opinion and feelings comes from.
CoMus
171 468 619
13 years ago
I wasn't implying you were. Just saying that they shouldn't have to deal with it being used as as a symbol of hate directly related to their country. What should be remembered is their own heroism and strength for survival after the war.
Buri
129 34 57
13 years ago
Can't argue with that.