gammadion

/ ɡæˈmeɪdɪən /

noun

1. a decorative figure composed of a number of Greek capital gammas, esp radiating from a centre, as in a swastika

Word History and Origins

Origin of gammadion¹

C19: from Late Greek, literally: little gamma

Example Sentences

The most obvious example is the ancient “gammadion,” which in early Eastern cultures meant “god,” “good luck,” “eternity” and other benign conjurations.

From Wall Street Journal

Two of the forms of the pre-Christian cross which are perhaps most frequently met with are the tau cross, so named from its resemblance to the Greek capital letter , and the svastika or fylfot2 , also called “Gammadion” owing to its form being that of four Greek capital letters gamma placed together.

From Project Gutenberg

Fylfot, Filfot, fil′fot, n. an ancient symbol in the form of a Greek cross, with each arm continued at right angles, called also Gammadion, Gammation, and Svastika.

From Project Gutenberg

In early Greek art the Swastika and Gammadion are everywhere, especially as embroidery on dress.

From Project Gutenberg

The Gammadion, as well as the Swastika, enters largely into the illuminations of the Celtic Book of Kells and those of the Lindisfarne MSS.; also it is to be found on the Celtic shields in the British Museum, together with the Swastika.

From Project Gutenberg