Argent a fylfot azure – a blue fylfot on a white (silver) shield - This article covers the etymology and usage of the word "fylfot" and (possibly) the occurance of the fylfot in European heraldry. The history of the symbol, its religious use, its adoption by Nazi Germany, the subsequent taboo and attempts at rehabilitation are covered in the swastika article.
Etymology
The most commonly cited etymology for this is that it comes from the notion common among nineteenth-century antiquarians, but based on only a single 1500 manuscript, that it was used to fill empty space at the foot of stained-glass windows in medieval churches.
However, Thomas Wilson (see below), writing in 1896, cites other etymologies:
- "In Great Britain the common name given to the Swastika from Anglo-Saxon times ... was Fylfot, said to have been derived from the Anglo-Saxon fower fot, meaning four-footed, or many-footed." — R.P. Greg, "Meaning and Origin of Fylfot and Swastika," Archaeologia, Vol. XLVIII, 1885, part 2, 1885 (p. 298); Le Comte Goblet d'Alviella, La Migration des Symboles, 1891 (p. 50)
- "The word [Fylfot] is Scandinavian and is compounded of Old Norse fiël, equivalent to the Anglo-Saxon fela, German viel, many, and fotr, foot, the many-footed figure." — quoted from George Waring, "Ceramic Art in Remote Ages"; John B. Day, London; 1874 (p.10)
These etymologies – Waring's in particular – seem more credible, giving fylfot much the same meaning as tetraskelion (Greek "four-legged").
Interestingly, House of Commons Hansard Debates for 12 Jun 1996 (pt 41) (http://www.parliament.the-stationery-office.co.uk/pa/cm199596/cmhansrd/vo960612/debtext/60612-41.htm) reports a discussion about the badge of No. 273 Fighter Squadron (http://www.raf.mod.uk/history/h273.html), Royal Air Force. In this, fylfot is used to describe the ancient symbol, and swastika used as if it refers only to the symbol used by the Nazis.
Clearly, fylfot is an established word for this symbol — in at least British English. Wilson says, "The use of Fylfot is confined to comparatively few persons in Great Britain and, possibly, Scandinavia. Outside of these countries it is scarcely known, used, or understood."
In heraldry
Argent a fylfot azure – showing the difference from a cross potent Related topics
References
- Thomas Wilson (Curator, Department of Prehistoric Anthropology, U.S. National Museum), The Swastika: The Earliest Known Symbol, and Its Migrations; with Observations on the Migration of Certain Industries in Prehistoric Times – Smithsonian Institution, 1896
External links
- sites presenting versions of Wilson's The Swaztika (above)
- The Swastika (http://www.northvegr.org/lore/swastika/index.php?PHPSESSID=6e17139f201061f6bb3d0e9216741fcd) (a transcription for Northvegr by Alfta Svani Lothursdottir; contains some transcription errors)
- Swaztika (http://www.maitreya.org/swastika/) (sic) (a scan of the original publication)
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