fylfot etymology

Etymology:

The term "fylfot" is derived from the Old English words "fylfot" or "feower-fot," which mean "four-foot" or "four-footed." The word refers to the four symmetrically arranged limbs of the symbol.

Meaning and Symbolism:

A fylfot is a swastika-like symbol with four arms that are bent at right angles. It has been used in various cultures and contexts throughout history, often with positive or auspicious meanings.

Origin:

The fylfot is an ancient symbol that has been found in archaeological sites from various cultures around the world, including:

• Neolithic Period: Found on pottery, carvings, and other artifacts from prehistoric Europe and Asia.
• Bronze Age: Depicted on Bronze Age artifacts, including weapons, jewelry, and pottery.
• Iron Age: Used as a symbol on coins and other objects in Celtic and Germanic cultures.
• Ancient Greece: Known as the "gammadion" or "tetraskeles" and associated with the goddess Artemis.
• Buddhism: Adopted as a symbol of the Buddha's footprints or the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth.

Modern Usage:

The fylfot has seen continued use in modern times, both as a decorative motif and a symbol with various meanings:

• Scandinavia: Known as the "thunder cross" or "Thor's hammer," and associated with Norse mythology.
• Native American Cultures: Used as a symbol of balance, harmony, and protection.
• Neo-Nazi Symbol: Misappropriated by white supremacist and Neo-Nazi groups as a hate symbol.

It's important to note that while the swastika has become strongly associated with Nazism, the fylfot has a much longer and more varied history with different meanings across cultures.

fylfot relate terms

• swastika

  Etymology The word swastika is derived from Sanskrit and is composed of two parts Su

• gammadion

  Etymology From Ancient Greek γαμμαδίον gammadíon diminutive of γάμμα

• fylfot

  Etymology The term fylfot is derived from the Old English words fylfot or feower fo

• fill

  Etymology Old English fyllan Proto Germanic fulljan Proto Indo European pleh₂

• foot

  Etymology The word foot derives from the Old English word fot which is of Germanic o

• divination

  Etymology The word divination originates from the Latin word divinatio which is deri

• waffle

  Etymology The term waffle comes from the Middle Dutch word wafel meaning honeycomb

• deacon

  Etymology Middle English dekene Old French diacre Latin diaconus Greek διάκον

• king

  Etymology Old English cyning pronounced kuh ning Proto Germanic kuningaz Proto

• hilarity

  Etymology The word hilarity comes from the Latin word hilaris meaning cheerful or

• elite

  Etymology The word elite comes from the French word élite which in turn comes from

• passion

  Etymology The word passion derives from the Late Latin word passio meaning sufferi

• silhouette

  Etymology French silhouette Origin after Étienne de Silhouette French minister of f