Symbols can have multiple meanings – and unfortunately can also be twisted and misconstrued, giving them a bad image, much like the Swastika.

Hitler managed to get his grubby hands on the geometric formation and turn it into a symbol of fear and oppression, but the Swakstika isn’t all gloom and doom.

In the ancient Indian language of Sanskrit, swastika means “well-being”. The symbol has been used by Hindus, Buddhists and Jains for millennia and is commonly assumed to be an Indian sign.

In his book The Swastika: Symbol Beyond Redemption? US graphic design writer Steven Heller explored the original uses of the Swastika prior to its implementation in WWII.

Coca-Cola used it. Carlsberg used it on their beer bottles. The Boy Scouts adopted it and the Girls’ Club of America called their magazine Swastika. They would even send out swastika badges to their young readers as a prize for selling copies of the magazine.

Read more about the Swastikas origin and check out the full story on BBC.