On Wednesday, April 30th, 2003 two Buddhist swastika sun wheel designs were seen on the chest of Japanese robot figurine “Robowaru” the media hype gets wind of it and freaks!

HONG KONG, China — A Coca-Cola Japanese robot adorned with Buddhist swastika sun wheels drew extreme criticism today from a Jewish leader of the A.D.L. who said stores should stop selling the toys.

Rabbi Yakkov Kermaier of Ohel Leah Synagogue said, “The reminder of Nazi atrocities probably resulted from an honest mistake, but toy sets featuring the “Robocon” characters are unacceptable.”

One character, the robot-like “Robowaru,” has two Buddhist swastikas on its chest and can be bought for 28 Hong Kong dollars, or $3.60, with any purchase of six bottles of Coke. The figurines stand on small plastic pedestals with Coca-Cola logos on them.

Kermaier said, “It’s not simply a political incorrect symbol. It’s an emblem that represents the wholesale slaughter of six million Jews.”

When questioned about the mostly Buddhist Japanese populations right to adorn merchandise with their holy 5,0000 year old ancient sun wheel swastika symbol Kermaier acknowledged the Nazi swastika can easily be confused with Buddhist swastikas that are common in Asia but refused to say anything further about it.

Coca-Cola spokeswoman Elsie Tsui said the figurines were made according to the original Robowaru design.

At Animation International, which sells rights for Robocon in the region and worked with Coca-Cola on the toys, spokeswoman Jennifer Chan said the symbols were designed by the creator and did not have anything to do with any Nazi organization.

This Jewish propaganda hype and hatred against even non-Nazi swastika sun wheel symbols has led to the withdrawal of the “Robowaru” robot from being sold and manufactured by Coca Cola. Buddhists everywhere seem to feel that Jews are being hyper vigilant about this and over-reacting. The ancient symbol of the swastika was in existence as a symbol of good fortune, sun power and protection for thousands of years in many ancient religions long before Hitler ever decided to use it in WWII. Many feel that if the symbol is being used for anything other than criminal behavior then what is the problem?

Yes, there is a stigma attached to the swastika but instead of abolishing it from the face of the earth, perhaps we can empower the world by understanding the ancient sun wheel’s original purpose and meaning? It was, and is, a religious symbol used for over 5,0000 years by many cultures around the world.

[Above photo: Buddhist swastika wall hanging]

Many Buddhists, Hindus, Neo-Pagans, Druids, Celts, Odinists and Native American Indians who worship the ancient symbol of the swastika feel that they have a right to take back the swastika and use it the way it was originally intended to by these ancient religions as a symbol of power and goodness.

[Above photo: A Native American Indian rug adorned with swastikas. Notice that both swastikas represent the "clockwise" and "counter-clockwise" swastika "arm" variant. It is also important to note that clocks did not exist when the swastika was invented 5,000 or more years ago.]

[Above photo: Hindu swastika]

[Above photo: Buddhist temple adorned with swastika]

Now, there is a common myth that needs to be dispelled. Many people have the incorrect assumption that what direction the “arms ” of any swastika points to dictates whether it is a Buddhist sunwheel or a symbol of National Socialism. Allow me to dispel this myth.

I have done extensive research on the origins of the swastika symbol and the “arms” of the Buddhist sunweel pointing either clockwise or counter clockwise has never been misconstrued as having anything to do with National Socialism until after 1942. Because regardless of whether the “arms” are pointing clockwise or counterclockwise it is still a sacred ancient sunwheel symbol used for thousands of years. The fact that the direction changes from clock wise to counter clockwise from sun symbol to sun symbol has nothing to do with politics but has to do with nature, time and the elements.

[Above: Swastika symbol used in contemporary fine art. Artist unknown.]

So, please, be careful to research your facts thoroughly before assuming that mere gossip and political beliefs reflect the actual historical truth. I have researched the history of the swastika as an ancient and historical religious symbol extensively. If you study the origins of this symbol you will find that what I am saying is true. Now, whether or not this means it should adorn toy robots or not is another issue. I don’t think the problem lies with the symbol as much as the problem lies with the people who fear it.

I do know one thing. This robot is going to quickly become a valuable collectors item. So, you see, no matter how hard people try, no one can abolish any symbol. Symbols are used as a mode of expression, like language or art. The Japanese language for example is a language strictly composed of symbols. Abolishing a symbol inhibits freedom of speech and the freedom of expression, regardless of the intentions used behind it. No one has the right to decide which symbols people around the world are allowed to use in expressing themselves.

So, yeah, give me one of them swastika robots! It’ll look nice on top of my computer monitor.