Help identifying a type of Maltese Cross

**Dirka Skene** · 2nd April 07, 10:49 AM

I agree with Big Mikey. I appears to be a stylized Swastica. I've seen similar symbolic islandic designs in several of my island tribal henna design books. I have a Polynesian design almost identical, but the "fish" are more detailed with suggestions of scales and fins.

**Colin** · 2nd April 07, 10:50 AM

Have you checked www.symbols.com for any references?

**Warlock** · 2nd April 07, 05:41 PM

Then I remembered that the symbol was an ancient one that was adopted by Hitler (Sadly this tidbit came from the old Kolchak: The Night Stalker series "Horror in the Heights". episode

)

You are the only other person I know who seems to remember the old "Night Stalker "series! It was a favourite as a kid growing up! Dude, You Rock!

**macwilkin** · 2nd April 07, 07:04 PM

Information: The Finns also used the Swastika on their aircraft during the Russo-Finnish War of 1939-40:

http://www.virtualpilots.fi/en/featu...able_swastika/

And, here is a nice article about the history of the Maltese Cross:

http://www2.prestel.co.uk/church/oosj/cross.htm

Cheers,

Todd

**Eujeankilt** · 2nd April 07, 07:57 PM

I believe the Hopi used the swastika as well, (but the arms went opposite of the Nazi swastika). Riverkilt could probably verify that.

Dale

**Tartan Hiker** · 2nd April 07, 08:00 PM

Originally Posted by Mowgli

I believe the Hopi used the swastika as well, (but the arms went opposite of the Nazi swastika). Riverkilt could probably verify that.

Dale

I'm not Riverkilt, but you are correct. Many Native American groups used a swastika-like symbol, including many here in the southeastern US...the Mississippian period mound-building cultures in particular.

**Warlock** · 3rd April 07, 02:01 AM

Every culture including the Isrealites used the swastika at one time or another. It seems to have been a truely Universal symbol.

**macwilkin** · 3rd April 07, 03:24 AM

Originally Posted by Tartan Hiker

I'm not Riverkilt, but you are correct. Many Native American groups used a swastika-like symbol, including many here in the southeastern US...the Mississippian period mound-building cultures in particular.

It [the swastika] was also on the pre-WWII insignia of the 45th Division, since the 45th came out of the National Guards from the Southwest. Later, the insignia was changed to a Thunderbird:

http://www.ok.ngb.army.mil/45InfBde/swastika.htm

It was also used on some of the planes of the famous Lafayette Escadrille, American volunteers who flew for France during WWI.

Cheers,

Todd

**Big Mikey** · 3rd April 07, 08:46 AM

Originally Posted by Beuth Sim

Then I remembered that the symbol was an ancient one that was adopted by Hitler (Sadly this tidbit came from the old Kolchak: The Night Stalker series "Horror in the Heights". episode

)

You are the only other person I know who seems to remember the old "Night Stalker "series! It was a favourite as a kid growing up! Dude, You Rock!

Great series that I am about to order from Amazon! Have you seen the new series? Sorry about the hijacking!

**Panache** · 3rd April 07, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by Big Mikey

Great series that I am about to order from Amazon! Have you seen the new series? Sorry about the hijacking!

Big Mikey,

I did watch all but the final episode of the new Night Stalker show.

Apparently there were a lot of problems with which company held what copyrights to certain characters. As a result they were able to use the names "Night Stalker", "Carl Kolchak" and "Tony Vincenzo" but nothing else of the original series. Many of the fans of the original show were very disappointed with this new version. It folded pretty quick due to a lack of interest. I feel they should have either waited and got the copyrights squared away to produce a true scion of the original, or ditched all references to the old show and presented it as a new offering.

Wonder what cajunscot would think about my favorite episode, "The Spanish Moss Murders"?

Cheers

Jamie