THE SWASTIKA 



199 



the circle, and so we get B. Then by the straightening 

 of the curved pieces we get the correct rectangular 

 Swastika, C. It is not probable that this is the way 

 in which the Swastika was originally devised, though it is 

 not possible to arrive at any certainty on the subject. 



In these matters concerning the origin of simple 

 ornamental patterns, designs, and symbols, we always 

 have to deal with certain natural opposing tendencies 

 on the part of the artist-draughtsman or designer, one or 

 other of which may be variously called into promi- 

 nence by the softness or hardness or other quality of the 

 material he has to use, or by the individual fancy for 

 elaboration or for simplification which exists in him. I 

 will call four of these tendencies which concern us in 

 regard to the Swastika: 1, the rectilinear as opposed to 

 2, the curvilinear, and 3, the grammatizing as opposed 

 to 4, the naturalizing tendency, and will show what 

 bearing they may have on the origin of the device known 

 as the Swastika. 



ABC 



Fig. 48.— Diagram to show the derivation of the swastika from 

 a Greek cross enclosed by a circle. In India the swastika 

 is actually modelled in this way — in native ceremonies with 

 rice-grain spread on the ground. The successive figures 

 drawn above are produced by moving the rice with the 

 hand. 



