sauvastika

The sauvastika is the reversed or counterclockwise form of the swastika, a symbol used in Hinduism, Buddhism, and Jainism. It is commonly referred to as sauvastika or sauwastika, with some transliterations emphasizing the left-facing orientation.

Historically, the symbol appears in ancient Indian art, architecture, coins, and manuscripts and spread across Asia through trade and cultural exchange. It is found in temple decorations, manuscripts, and artifacts in India and neighboring regions, as well as in Buddhist and Jain contexts throughout South and Southeast Asia and parts of East Asia. The two forms of the swastika—clockwise and counterclockwise—coexisted for many centuries and carried different symbolic associations in various traditions and periods.

Meaning and interpretation vary by tradition. In Hinduism, both forms are regarded as auspicious and are associated with well-being, good fortune, and ongoing cycles of time. The clockwise (right-facing) svastika is the more common emblem of auspiciousness, while the counterclockwise form—often called sauvastika—has more variable meanings: in some contexts it is still considered auspicious; in others it is linked to night, disturbance, or tantric practices. In Buddhist and Jain traditions, both orientations appear and are used with diverse symbolic associations, emphasizing auspicious beginnings, movement, and the cycle of existence.

Modern context and distinction: The sauvastika predates the 20th century Nazi use of the swastika and is not inherently tied to that ideology. However, in Western contexts the symbol’s association with Nazism has led to sensitivity and misinterpretation. In its traditional religious contexts in Asia, the symbol remains a common motif in art, architecture, and ritual, valued for its historical and spiritual significances.