Manasara Series (I. A Dictionary of Hindu Architecture; II. Indian Architecture according to Manasara-Shilpashastra; III. Manasara on Architecture and Sculpture: Sanskrit Text; IV. Architecture of Manasara: Translation; V. Architecture of Manasara: Illustrations; VI. Hindu Architecture in India and Abroad; VII. An Encyclopaedia of Hindu Architecture) v7.c47.7291

v7.c47.7291

This theory is corroborated by the world-wide use of the svastika symbol, so also the custom of turning sunways or with the sun, which is equally widespread. The further support to the sun theory is lent by the argument that ‘the svastika is a sign of good luck, signified by its etymology, so also the practice of turning with the sun is considered a lucky or fortunate proceeding and turning in the contrary way is dreaded as entailing a curse.’ Thus the custom and the symbol are co-related. The exponents of the cross-symbol theory of the svastika figure like Mr. Fawcett (*Ind. Ant.*, Vol. XXX, pp. 413-414) hold that the 32 sun and fire symbols (gathered together by Murray-Ansley (*Ind. Ant.*, Vol. XV, p. 66) ‘may be taken to be developments in various direction of the cross.’ This school of thought fail, however, to explain the appearance of svastika beyond a thousand years before the birth of Christ in connexion with whom the deadly weapon, cross, assumed a symbolic significance.