Swastika Clown Puzzle
This puzzle appeared in The Strand magazine, December 1903, demonstrating that swastikas and clowns had an affinity for one another even before the Nazis came along. (Technically it's a Sauwastika Clown Puzzle, not a Swastika one.) The answer is below in extended.
Comments
Well you should remember, like so may symbols, this symbol predated the group that used it by a couple of thousand years. Doesn't matter the group, chances are if the symbol isn't some modern piece of technology, then its been used before. Often with very different meanings.
Posted by Jim on 11/21/12 at 09:50 AM
I'm sure most of you know this but as Jim says above the symbol (and many others actually) is ancient. It was used by the Nazis to focus national pride which was severely damaged after WWI.
Giving the people a sense of pride and then subsidizing everything in their lives (National SOCIALIST Party) was how they were able to get away with so much. Hmmm, sounds familiar.
Giving the people a sense of pride and then subsidizing everything in their lives (National SOCIALIST Party) was how they were able to get away with so much. Hmmm, sounds familiar.
Posted by Todd on 11/21/12 at 10:05 AM
Except this isn't even in the shape of a Swastika. I trust you all can google for one to see what they look like.
Posted by Forrest Gump on 11/21/12 at 11:01 AM
"Socialism" is another example of something that was corrupted by a political movement. Before 1917, it referred to an idea about society. Once the Communists misused it to attempt to sneak into Western Europe through the ballot box (a tactic that, fortunately, failed, more or less), the good ol' US of A equated Socialism (with a capital S) with Communism. Famous Socialists include the late French President, François Mitterand and W's BFF, Tony Blair.
Usually (but not always), the pre-Nazi swastika looks as though it would rotate clockwise; the Nazi version always looks as though it would rotate counter-clockwise.
Usually (but not always), the pre-Nazi swastika looks as though it would rotate clockwise; the Nazi version always looks as though it would rotate counter-clockwise.
Posted by TheCannyScot in Atlanta, GA on 11/21/12 at 11:11 AM
Back when my grandpa was a twinkle in Great-Granpa Amos' eye I guess things like this kept folks entertained.
@Socialism: There are a few countries here in Europe where it works but the population of those countries are very well educated and the governments, themselves, are very efficient. For the rest of the countries the education level ends with the name of your favorite soccer team, the players' names, and what time their next match will be on TV.
@Socialism: There are a few countries here in Europe where it works but the population of those countries are very well educated and the governments, themselves, are very efficient. For the rest of the countries the education level ends with the name of your favorite soccer team, the players' names, and what time their next match will be on TV.
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 11/21/12 at 12:23 PM
He doesn't appear to be a clown who would inspire a smile. More of an imp, it seems.
Posted by KDP on 11/21/12 at 04:08 PM
anybody else print one out and try the puzzle?
Posted by Miles on 11/21/12 at 04:34 PM
The Nazi connotation is too strong to overcome yet today I think. Perhaps at some point in the future their use will just be one of many, but it is too soon for that now.
Posted by Patty in Ohio, USA on 11/22/12 at 12:02 AM
WWII is all over the TV here in Greece. They, admittedly, caught hell during the occupation but it's long past time to consign it to history!
Posted by Expat47 in Athens, Greece on 11/22/12 at 12:59 AM
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Category: Clowns | Evil | Quizzes | 1900s