I'd never noticed. The old, tattered book had been on our shelves for decades - maybe I'd never looked inside.
But there it was - a swastika in Rudyard Kipling's stamped signature inside the cover of our dusty, 1925 copy of The Years Between.
I couldn't believe that Kipling was in any way associated with the Nazi, but what else was I to think? His use of the swastika certainly couldn't be denied, so I dug deeper and discovered the truth:
Kipling was so disgusted by the Nazis and the sight of their flag that he removed the swastika, a Hindu symbol of good luck, from his bookbindings. It had been his trademark for nearly forty years but it was now 'defiled beyond redemption'."
Kipling and the Swastika (kipling.org.uk)
While it may have appeared by his use of the swastika that Kipling was a Nazi, he certainly was not.
And maybe it's just me, but I am reminded - and convicted and repent - again at how easy it is to misjudge others by appearances or outward circumstances.
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 ESV
13 comments:
Never knew that - and never knew it was a Hindu symbol. Boy you learn something every day, and what a good reminder to dig deeper and not judge a book by its cover!
Me, either, Allie....and isn't it wonderful to continue to learn new things? XO
Wow, Patricia! Such a good word! And I never knew that about the swastika, either. But judging by appearances, alas, I know far too much about that. *sigh*
Love you.
I have made too many wrong assumptions ....I decided years ago to wait until I REALLY knew a person before assumming WHO they were. In doing so, several became close friends. A lesson well learned!!!~
Me, too, Joyce.
Thank you, Jeanne. I've missed you.
I never knew it either Patricia. I agree; it is a perfect lesson in not judging a book by its cover.
I knew about the Hindu connection, but had no idea about the Rudyard Kipling part. Fascinating - thank you for sharing this, dear friend!
Judging by appearances is something that I've been grappling with lately...even when I'm judged as being 'good' based on the appearances of my actions. How easily are we led astray by what we 'think' we see instead of what is real?
Pat, May you have a"fair flower day"!!!!!
Love you!!! Enjoyed our visit enormously. PLEASE, try to plan more time with me!!! How about lunch???
I had no idea. No idea.
Thank you for digging on this, Patricia. That's good to know and an excellent application.
This is news to me. The Kipling connection--not the judging. Thank you for this.
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