Is that a Swastika made from twigs and leaves? | Forum

The Nine Stones of Winterbourne Abbas 8

Image by Lubin

More swastikas at the Nine Stones

embryonomore Jun 7, 2006 15:53:24

Replying to juamei

The bit in the middle. Seems to be something easily removeable.

Seems it's an original orientated swastika, rather than Hitlers little project, and seems to be something someone actually took some effort over, as opposed to a ten second spray can. Look at the ring of leaves... tidy isn't it?

Can you easily dismiss this as graffiti?

It's easy to assume it's "accidentally" the right way around (ie done by a moron), but that also assumes that some upstart tossbag would actually spend time presenting this twig swastika. What would be the point in that? It would take a mere second to kick it away and diminish the "offence".

It could actually be a relic from someones personal ceremony or tribute or any number of things that you either don't know, don't understand or don't care about - which by the way is your right to not do.

However, coming from a mindset of tolerance, I find the lack of tolerence displayed to people who leave offerings etc a bit shameful.

Sure, the chalk markings are probably inadvisable, but do you really think these stones were ever meant to be kept clean?

If I find something left at a site, I think "I wonder what they meant by that?". Not "How dare they leave that on my altar".

I just don't see it as anything to get worked up over, this whole "Leaving things at sites" thing. I mean, what harm is really caused? I doubt very much that the people leaving stuff are morons walking up a hill saying "hurr hurr, I'm going to leave a feather!". The offering you find means something to someone, and it could mean one hell of a lot to them. Or it could mean very little. Ultimately however, it is their business that they choose to undertake on common land.

It doesn't infringe upon my right to enjoy the sites, so whats the problem? It's not like it's McDonalds wrappers or plastic bags - it's all biodegradable stuff.

Is there any difference between an offering made of twigs and leaves and some twigs and leaves that have fallen out of a nearby tree?

I don't know, just my two pence worth really, but I've seen the argument on here so many times and never said anything before so...

goffik Jun 7, 2006 16:19:43

Replying to embryonomore

> Is there any difference between an offering made of twigs and leaves and some twigs and leaves that have fallen out of a nearby tree?

Nah - it's a fair point, I reckon, as long as I'm also allowed to kick it back into randomly scattered twigs when I visit..! Fair's fair, innit?

G x

muddymick Jun 8, 2006 10:32:36

Replying to embryonomore

there is not a right way round for swastikas....just look at the bon representations, jain, some hindu and buddhist....to believe that it was inverted and therefore perverted is a tad simplistic. i do agree that if this has some significance to the individual who made it and it harms no one no thing then fair play. to just kick it back to its component parts seems a touch petty and implies some negative significance (to the individual who suggests such) cheers MM

muddymick Jun 8, 2006 10:33:45

Replying to embryonomore

fair play...and hooray for non pettiness...cheers MM

juamei Jun 8, 2006 13:28:32

Replying to embryonomore

Personally I couldn't give two hoots that the graffiti in question is a swastika.

What irritates me is the fact that when someone chalks on a stone or leaves anything visible at a site, they chose to push their interpretation of how a site should be onto me. Now I feely admit I am doing exactly the same by returning the sites I visit to a non-graffiti-d & non offering strewn state.

I feel no qualms however, I know the sites are better not having chalk on the stones, they are better when you don't have to step over some discarded tealights, they are better when you don't have to breath in someone elses incense, when it isn't full of rotting vegetation.

And for once, the law is on my side. It is illegal to graffiti, it is illegal to litter.

Also (whilst I'm here) yes the stones may have been decorated, but with what? Is it right to decorate them with anything just because they were once possibly decorated with glyphs unknown?