# The man with the swastika tattoo **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [April 23, 2014, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769 "2014-04-23T14:30:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 8
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/141 "2014-04-25T14:16:07Z")
> [@SirGalahad](#): > > From _Symbolism: Astrology, Swastika, Crossroads, Western Use of the Swastika in the Early 20th Century, Sex Symbol, Symbol Grounding, Badge of Shame_ > > “The symbol was popular as a good luck charm with early aviators.” I can see why it would be, as it looks a bit like a stylized spinning propeller on top of its pre-existing spiritual significance. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/142 "2014-04-25T14:18:29Z")
> [@SirGalahad](#): > > From _Symbolism: Astrology, Swastika, Crossroads, Western Use of the Swastika in the Early 20th Century, Sex Symbol, Symbol Grounding, Badge of Shame_ > > “The symbol was popular as a good luck charm with early aviators.” There ya go. The dude at the gym is an early aviator. ---
**Author:** ![SirGalahad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@SirGalahad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirGalahad)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/143 "2014-04-25T14:29:38Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > There ya go. The dude at the gym is an early aviator. Or maybe an Ancient Astronaut. Seems the Swastika is not only a very old Asian symbol, but also a native New World symbol. Swastika, Sanskrit, loosely translated as “It is good” … did Ancient Astronauts bring this symbol to Earth’s primitive tribes in UFOs thousands of years ago? ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/144 "2014-04-25T14:53:11Z")
> [@SirGalahad](#): > > From _Symbolism: Astrology, Swastika, Crossroads, Western Use of the Swastika in the Early 20th Century, Sex Symbol, Symbol Grounding, Badge of Shame_ > > “The symbol was popular as a good luck charm with early aviators.” It was also a symbol popular with anti-Semites and Nazi Sympathizers like the guy you specifically listed. ---
**Author:** ![SirGalahad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@SirGalahad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirGalahad)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/145 "2014-04-25T14:58:24Z")
> [@Fenris](#): > > It was also a symbol popular with anti-Semites and Nazi Sympathizers like the guy you specifically listed. Who was an aviator. ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/146 "2014-04-25T15:05:57Z")
\*Once I was happy, but now I’m confused By the old man who is all tatted up Is he a biker, or does he hate Jews? Tell me, what could it all mean? Oh, this man that I know he is handsome I try all I know him to please But something I noticed made me go “oh, Jeez!” A swastika under his sleeve He hangs at the gym with the greatest of ease He talks to South Asian guys, never eats cheese But the Nazi iconography that I see Gives me the heeby-jeeby-jeebs I weep and I wimper, I simper for weeks I wonder if he’s a mass-murdering freak Or just a bone-headed Buddhist, or Sikh, Should I ask him, or move to Alaska?\* ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/147 "2014-04-25T15:38:28Z")
> [@SirGalahad](#): > > I wouldn’t care what Mr. Swastika thinks, only what he does. And what he does is display a symbol that is predominantly associated, in Western culture, with hatred and genocide. This isn’t about his secret thoughts. This is about a symbol he displays on his body. Symbols, being symbols, mean things. They are attempts at communication. Heck, if you want to be respectful don’t deny him the opportunity to communicate exactly what he’s feeling! ---
**Author:** ![SirGalahad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@SirGalahad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirGalahad)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/148 "2014-04-25T16:12:52Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > And what he does is display a symbol that is predominantly associated, in Western culture, with hatred and genocide. > > This isn’t about his secret thoughts. This is about a symbol he displays on his body. > > Symbols, being symbols, mean things. They are attempts at communication. Heck, if you want to be respectful don’t deny him the opportunity to communicate exactly what he’s feeling! I don’t care if Mr. Swastika is a Nazi or not. If he exterminates any Jews or invades Poland, then he should be punished for crimes by the appropriate authorities. If there is a law against displaying a Swastika in public, then you can turn him in to the police. If the gym has a “no tolerance” policy regarding displays of controversial graphics, they can bar him from their private property. I don’t personally care what Mr. Swastika thinks, and I don’t care what tattoos he has. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/149 "2014-04-25T16:14:48Z")
> [@SirGalahad](#): > > I don’t personally care what Mr. Swastika thinks, and I don’t care what tattoos he has. Okay. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/150 "2014-04-25T17:43:05Z")
> [@SirGalahad](#): > > I don’t care if Mr. Swastika is a Nazi or not. If he exterminates any Jews or invades Poland, then he should be punished for crimes by the appropriate authorities. If there is a law against displaying a Swastika in public, then you can turn him in to the police. If the gym has a “no tolerance” policy regarding displays of controversial graphics, they can bar him from their private property. I don’t personally care what Mr. Swastika thinks, and I don’t care what tattoos he has. You do not care, it’s here nor there? You do not care, yet chose to share? ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/151 "2014-04-25T17:49:40Z")
I’m just glad Nazis didn’t use circles, squares or triangles or letters from the alphabet or any colors like red or black. We’d be screwed. ---
**Author:** ![SirGalahad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@SirGalahad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirGalahad)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/152 "2014-04-25T17:53:25Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > I’m just glad Nazis didn’t use circles, squares or triangles or letters from the alphabet or any colors like red or black. We’d be screwed. Or crosses. Or skulls. Uh oh. Speaking of skulls, if he had a skull and crossbones tat, would we presume him to be a real pirate that boards ships and keelhauls the officers … and has a parrot and says “aarrhh!”? ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/153 "2014-04-25T18:01:16Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > I’m just glad Nazis didn’t use circles, squares or triangles or letters from the alphabet or any colors like red or black. We’d be screwed. Hmm, good point. Nazis used swastikas, but they also used circles and squares. Circles and squares don’t have special meaning, therefore swastikas can’t have any special meaning either. Oh wait, that’s not a good point at all. ---
**Author:** ![SirGalahad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@SirGalahad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirGalahad)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/154 "2014-04-25T18:09:28Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Hmm, good point. Nazis used swastikas, but they also used circles and squares. Circles and squares don’t have special meaning, therefore swastikas can’t have any special meaning either. > > Oh wait, that’s not a good point at all. I can’t tell which one of you is whooshing the other. Oh, wait … yes I can. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/155 "2014-04-25T18:12:29Z")
> [@levdrakon](#): > > I’m just glad Nazis didn’t use circles, squares or triangles or letters from the alphabet or any colors like red or black. We’d be screwed. And semiotics takes another punch in the face on the dope. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/156 "2014-04-25T18:17:53Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > And semiotics takes another punch in the face on the dope. Sometimes I wonder if folks like some sort of deconstructivist Lacanians or something who think that communication is impossible and therefore should never be attempted, discussed, or critiqued. Hey, it’s possible. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/157 "2014-04-25T18:22:50Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Sometimes I wonder if folks like some sort of deconstructivist Lacanians or something who think that communication is impossible and therefore should never be attempted, discussed, or critiqued. > > Hey, it’s possible. I have no idea what you mean. It’s almost as if you are using symbols to communi… HEY. ---
**Author:** ![SirGalahad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@SirGalahad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirGalahad)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/158 "2014-04-25T18:23:41Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > Sometimes I wonder if folks like some sort of deconstructivist Lacanians … You can say that again. ---
**Author:** ![prettydorky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f04885/32.png) [@prettydorky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/prettydorky)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/159 "2014-04-25T18:57:58Z")
OP, I’d like to thank you for your very thought-provoking post. Every once in a while, I come across something on here that makes me ask myself about my own personal beliefs. That’s why I love the Dope. I really went round and round about this one. On one hand, people should experience the social consequences of their actions. People with swastika tattoos maybe especially. It’s really kind of NOT OKAY. Perhaps being treated NOT OKAY forever is a just and natural consequence for the behavior. Perhaps, even, that kind of thing would spur this person into passing on the wisdom to others that if you do something like that, you’ll regret it forever. Whether ‘cold shoulder from decent guy at gym’ would be the straw that broke the nazi camel’s back is a different story. But really, if you do something that un-decent, do you deserve to be in the company of decent people and treated like you’re one of them? Probably not! I’d consider you reasonable to keep a polite distance if you felt that way. Mostly I feel like leaving it alone makes the most sense. There’s no real advantage to pointing it out. I would probably never hire the guy as a babysitter, or ask him for legal advice- in addition to possibly possessing a repugnant belief system, that tattoo would indicate plain ole bad judgement to me. But casual conversation at the gym, fine. Even racist people are still people, albeit weak and stupid ones IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Kobayashi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@Mr.Kobayashi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Kobayashi)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2014, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769/160 "2014-04-25T19:34:01Z")
> [@Martian Bigfoot](#): > > \*Once I was happy, but now I’m confused > By the old man who is all tatted up > Is he a biker, or does he hate Jews? > Tell me, what could it all mean? > > Oh, this man that I know he is handsome > I try all I know him to please > But something I noticed made me go “oh, Jeez!” > A swastika under his sleeve > > He hangs at the gym with the greatest of ease > He talks to South Asian guys, never eats cheese > But the Nazi iconography that I see > Gives me the heeby-jeeby-jeebs > > I weep and I wimper, I simper for weeks > I wonder if he’s a mass-murdering freak > Or just a bone-headed Buddhist, or Sikh, > Should I ask him, or move to Alaska?\* A post surely deserving of [this](http://www.reactiongifs.us/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/slow_clap_citizen_kane.gif) gif. I’m still in two minds, between letting sleeping dogs lie unless he actually acts like a scumbag or on the other hand my curiosity getting the better of me. Next time I see him out and about I might try and find out the story and if he holds to the views that symbol represents (in the west at least) or not. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769.md?page=7) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-man-with-the-swastika-tattoo/686769.md?page=9)