Swastik :

Swastik is a very powerful and important symbol. It stands for auspiciousness, peace and prosperity and world-wide brotherhood. No Hindu religious ritual is complete without this symbol.

‘Swasti’ in Sankrit means 'may all be well with you.' People in Thailand still use this form of greeting when they meet one another.
To understand this fully, we have to go back to the beginnings of our Earth and the solar system. It is believed that there was an explosion that scattered energy in all directions. As a result our Earth and other planets formed. The energy scattered in the shape of Swastik.

The sign is a sort of a sun mark. As we have already noticed Surya deva is everything to us. If He stops shining His light on us we will all perish. The four arms of Swastik stand for four main directions: North, South, East, West; the four Vedas: Rig, Sama, Yajur and Atharva; the four aims of human life called purusharthas in Sanskrit : Dharma, Arth (acquiring wealth); Kama (fulfilling desires); and finally Moksha (liberation from this earthly life.)
This means the individual attaining moksha will not be born again on this earth. And the four stages of life are called ashrams – Brahmacharya, Grahasth, Vanaprasth and Sannyas.

Swastika is an important Hindu symbol used on many auspicious occasions like Puja, marriages, Vastushanti, etc. Swastika is one of the 108 symbols of Lord Vishnu. As it is considered as a good luck, a Swastika is drawn on the object with Kumkum at the start of the ritual.

Swastika on Vehicles: Some people stick Swastikas made up with radium on their vehicles for good luck. On some occasions like Gudhipadawa, Dassera, Hindus wash and do Pujas of their vehicles. On this occasion, a Swastika made up of Kumkum is drawn on the front side of the vehicle.

Swastika on clothes: Some people use Swastika to decorate their clothes as well as to bring good luck. There are a number of designs available to be printed on the clothes like T-shirts, shirts, Punjabi dresses, etc.

Swastika on the hands of deities: Some deities like Ganesha, Vishnu and others have been depicted as having Swastika on the palms of their hands.

Swatika in palmistry: If you have a Swastika in the center of your palm, it is believed that you would live like a king as it is considered a very auspicious sign.

Swastika in rituals: Hindus do a ceremony called Vastushanti before they enter a new house. In this ceremony, a Swastika of kumkum is drawn on the walls of the house. In Kalash Puja, a Swastika is drawn on the Kalash.

Swastika on building structures: In India, you would find a number of houses who have Swastika on the front side. Swastika is also used as a design in the houses. In the Hindu temples, Swastika is printed on the walls.

Swastika as an ornament: Some people use, Swastika as a design in the gold and/or silver rings. Swastika is also used as a pendant and wore in the neck with the use of metal chains and/or thread.

Swastika as a name: Some people prefer to give the name Swastika to their businesses like Swastika Enterprises, Swastika Stationary, etc. Swastika is also used as a baby girl’s name. They also have Swastika symbols printed on the boards of their shops.