From: ken [mailto:bbrow07@students.bbk.ac.uk]
Trei, Peter wrote:
Bill Stewart wrote:
Michael Kalus wrote:
Certain symbols (e.g. Swastika) are forbidden as well. As Tim pointed out, the Swastika symbol had long use before the Nazis picked it up. [...]
Vaguely related.... [... swastika censorship in NYC subway tile floor elided...]
At least one London Underground station has swastika patterns in its tiles, and apparently did through the War.
India House in London, the offices of the Indian High Commission (Commonwealth-speak for "embassy"), has swastikas in the scupltures on the outside walls, and also in murals inside. They would have been there right through WW2, the building is from the 1920s and early 30s. I have no idea if anyone covered them up.
Its in the Aldwych, right in the middle of London, passed by millions of people every year. (Including me on my way to work). I've never heard of anyone complaining.
I used to walk by India House on my way to college (I went to Kings College London), and I noticed them too. I believe at least one British government ministry used the swastika as a symbol in the early 30's - but can't remember which. There was a bit of a fad for 'runic' symbols back then. Peter