Misunderstood National Symbol: “Pērknonkrusts” or the Cross of Thunder
As the two world wars shattered the modern world into pieces, there is one symbol that undoubtedly changed its meaning within the lifetime of a generation, despite its thousand-year history in many cultures. Of course, I am talking about an important piece of the “Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei” (Nazi party) symbol — the black swastika on a white circle and red background.
It may seem ridiculously strange, but a similar symbol has been part of Latvian culture for more than a thousand years. I know we are not the only ones; there is Japan, archaeological evidence in Turkey, and probably even more countries I did not mention.
In our culture, this symbol is called “Pērkonkrusts,” which translates to the Cross of Thunder. Interestingly, people in the Baltic states used this symbol quite obsessively because of their belief in its supernatural benefits, such as attracting health, happiness, wealth, and protection from evil spirits. You can find pottery, clothing, and architecture adorned with the widely used Cross of Thunder. A more recent and intriguing example is Latvian-crafted light fighter aircraft from the 1930s.
Despite millennia of patient work, this symbol is now associated with needless suffering and the abuse of other people. There is a point to forbidding the Nazi-used swastika, yet there is a difference between it and the Latvian Cross of Thunder. We tend to use this symbol as a blessing of good fortune, usually in a dark blood-red tone on a white background. Sometimes we make the symbol more complicated and portray it on our national knits, like hats, scarves, and mittens, which create truly stylish patterns.
Most importantly, the Cross of Thunder is significant to me, my ancestors, and Latvian culture itself. It is a symbol of love and nourishment with a long history in the Baltic states, and it has nothing to do with the awful ideology that took the lives of countless people.
With Love and Care,
Darian
