SYMBOLISM AND CHANGE THROUGHOUT HISTORY

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IMPORTANT VOCABULARY BEFORE READING:

sym·bol·ism — the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities.

swas·ti·ka - 1. an ancient symbol in the form of an equal-armed cross with each arm continued at a right angle, used especially in South Asia as a symbol of good luck or spirituality.

2. a symbol in the form of a black cross with each arm bent clockwise at a right angle, used as the emblem of the German Nazi party.

de·moc·ra·cy - a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

re·pub·lic - a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.

Na·tion·al So·cial·ism - the political doctrine of the Nazi Party of Germany.

so·cial·ism - a political and economic theory of social organization which advocates that the means of production, distribution, and exchange should be owned or regulated by the community as a whole.

fas·cism - an authoritarian and nationalistic right-wing system of government and social organization.

SYMBOLISM AND HOW SYMBOLS MEANINGS CAN CHANGE

Throughout history, the human race has created things to tell stories, teach, warn, memorialize, etc. These things may be simple images, comprised of only a few lines and one color or grand statues or buildings that stand the test of time. In the U.S. we know a red octagon with the white letters S, T, O and P means we are supposed to stop our vehicle or self at that spot. A red cross means hospital. A wooden cross means Jesus or God or Christianity. A cross turned upside down and on fire means hate, intimidation, evil or maybe even the Devil.

We come across many different symbols everyday. Mostly through ads now with branding that tries to make you feel a certain way about whatever company or product it tries to sell. However, things like the United States flag is also a symbol. With its iconic 50 white stars representing our states and the 13 red and white stripes reminding us of the original 13 colonies. The flag stands to represent our country. Which to other people, that can mean many things. To some people, like in Hong Kong in 2019, it represents freedom and hope.

Creator: Chris McGrath | Credit: Getty Images

However, not every nation or their people see our flag that way. Some fear it and it represents death and destruction. To the Native Americans who we almost completely wiped out as our country started, to the citizens of Japan we released the power of the atom bomb, not once, but twice on them. Symbols are complicated and can have contradicting and contrasting meanings depending on your viewpoint or history with it. Things like the confederate flag in the U.S. have went from a flag of a failed nation to representing rebellion to becoming a symbol of hate throughout it’s life. One of the most infamous changes in meaning for a symbol probably is the swastika due to the Nazi Party.

Swastika glossary distributed to U.S. servicemen during World War II.

Credit: PrintMag

THE RISE AND FALL OF THE NAZI PARTY

If you have studied history at all, you probably know of World War II and what a Nazi is. However, you may not know Nazi actually is an abbreviation for the National Socialist German Workers' Party. On paper, those words don’t sound or seem bad. The concept behind nationalism, being proud or patriotic for your country, or socialism, allowing the community to own the means of their production, aren’t necessarily bad or evil things. If done properly, these things could be applied in a fair and right way. However, just like how they adopted the swastika as their flag or brand, which historically was a symbol for good luck or spirituality, words and symbols do not have to follow their original meaning.

Adolf Hitler had a way with words and knew how to manipulate people and get him to follow or stand by him. A lot of the time, the things he said and promoted publicly were exactly what Germany needed or wanted at the time. Especially because the entire nation was in shambles due to the outcome and punishments dealt after the first World War. He knew how to get people riled up. He knew who to target and who was the easiest to indoctrinate. It didn’t matter if his words didn’t back up his actions, people blindly trusted and followed him because he was just that charming and persuasive. This allowed him to essentially overthrow the current government at the time in Germany and assume power.

Credit: FPG / Getty Images

He was considered a great leader at first and did many things to actually improve post-war 1930’s Germany. However, we all unfortunately know the awful things that happened during World War II. The attempted genocide of the Jewish race through gas chambers within concentration camps and an attempt to take over the entire world through violence and war. Years of millions of death and destruction the likes of which was never before seen. Ultimately changing how we view and see the world, especially with the ever looming threat of absolute nuclear destruction. That symbol they took still to this day now stands for one of the worst forms of hate and intolerance due to the actions and bloodstained history now attributed to it.

THE RISE AND FALL OF ROME and THE u.s.?

As we talk about the rise and fall of Nazi Germany, I’d like to briefly touch on the rise and fall of Rome. Why? Rome was a Democratic Republic and once the biggest superpower and nation in the world, just like the U.S. is today. History has shown us that nations can rise and fall, no matter how big, powerful, or prosperous they may seem. Just because everything was a certain way before, does not mean it will stay that way forever. Rome started to have constant barbarian invasions, internal political corruption and conflicts as well as severe economic decline, military strength weakening and the rise of Christianity to contend with which undermined the emperor's authority. Just like how innocent peaceful symbols can change, the world around us constantly does too for the better or the worse.

Credit: RomeCabs

So does that mean we are in the middle of the fall of the U.S.? Not necessarily. No matter what way you look at it, the nation is extremely split and only seeming to be dividing more within the last 8+ years. Unfortunately, do to this unrest, other nations are watching and noticing how and what we do. What America, the U.S., stood for and was within the world is currently changing, however, it always has been. Every little action, good or bad, leaves our nation in a constant state of fluidity. It is up to us, the people, to decide what we wish and want to stand for. What we want our symbol to mean now. However, it is also up to you to build up your own symbol. Your own brand. Your own identity. Stand for what you believe in. Stand for what is right. Stand for your freedoms. Do not let anyone change your own meaning of your own symbol.

Credit: AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana

On that note, I’ll end this article here. Remember to stay happy and healthy.