ugunskrusts

{{Short description|The swastika as a symbol in Latvian folklore}}

{{expand language|langcode=lv|otherarticle=Ugunskrusts (zīme)|date=March 2021}}

File:Fire Cross (Ugunskrusts).svg

File:Swastika from Baltic.jpg

{{lang|lv|Ugunskrusts}} (Latvian for 'fire cross', 'cross of fire'; other names — {{lang|lv|pērkonkrusts}} ('cross of thunder', 'thunder cross), cross of Perkūnas, cross of branches, Cross of Laima) is the swastika as a symbol in Latvian folklore.

The swastika is an ancient Baltic thunder cross symbol ({{lang|lv|pērkona krusts}}; also fire cross, {{lang|lv|ugunskrusts}}), used to decorate objects, traditional clothing and in archaeological excavations.{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=CQRWnf2JflQC&q=lithuania+use+of+swastika&pg=PA62|title=The Symbolism of the Cross|last=Guénon|first=René|date=2001|publisher=Sophia Perennis|isbn=978-0900588655|page=62}}{{cite web|url=https://latvians.com/index.php?en/CFBH/Zimes/zimes-10-rhetoric.ssi#WIKFN3|title=Latvia and the Swastika|website=latvians.com|access-date=2018-11-08}}{{cite web |url=https://latvianhistory.com/tag/swastika/ |title=Swastika | Latvian History |access-date=1 July 2017 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730202444/https://latvianhistory.com/tag/swastika/ |archive-date=30 July 2017 }} Latvia adopted the swastika, for its Air Force in 1918/1919 and continued its use until the Soviet occupation in 1940.{{cite web|url=https://fotw.info/flags/lv%5Eair.html|title=Latvia – Airforce Flag and Aircraft Marking|website=fotw.info|access-date=2018-11-08}}{{Cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IPv1gjLhtZ4C&q=latvian+army+swastika&pg=PA39|title=Latvia in World War II|last=Lumans|first=Valdis O.|date=2006|publisher=Fordham Univ Press|isbn=978-0823226276|page=39|language=en}} The cross itself was maroon on a white background, mirroring the colors of the Latvian flag. Earlier versions pointed counter-clockwise, while later versions pointed clock-wise and eliminated the white background.[http://www.insigniamag.com/afs005.html Latvian Air Force 1918–1940] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217215841/http://www.insigniamag.com/afs005.html |date=17 February 2012 }}. Retrieved 30 September 2008.[http://www.latvianaviation.com Spārnota Latvija] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120204035446/http://latvianaviation.com/ |date=2012-02-04 }}. Retrieved 30 September 2008. Various other Latvian Army units and the Latvian War College{{cite web|url=https://www.vitber.lv/lv/lot/20294|title=Nozīme, Apvienotā Kara skola, 1938. gada izlaidums, Nr. 937, sudrabs, Latvija, 20.gs. 20-30ie gadi, 44.3 x 34.2 mm, 15.60 g, darbnīca V. F. Millers|website=Vitber|language=lv|access-date=2018-11-08}} (the predecessor of the National Defence Academy) also had adopted the symbol in their battle flags and insignia during the Latvian War of Independence.{{Cite news|url=http://latvianmilitaryhistory.wordpress.lv/2012/10/01/latvijas-armijas-nacionalo-brunoto-speku-un-citi-karogi/|title=Latvijas armijas, Nacionālo Bruņoto Spēku un citu iestāžu karogi.|date=2012-10-01|work=latvianmilitaryhistory|access-date=2018-11-08|language=lv}}

A stylised fire cross is the base of the Order of Lāčplēsis, the highest military decoration of Latvia for participants of the War of Independence.{{cite web|url=http://lnvm.lv/en/?p=1242|title=Exhibition "The Lāčplēsis Military Order" ← National History Museum of Latvia|website=lnvm.lv|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-08}} The Pērkonkrusts, an ultra-nationalist political organisation active in the 1930s and its successors in the 1990s–2010s, also used the fire cross as one of its symbols.

File:Laimas krusts Lielvardes josta.jpg|The 'Laima Cross' on the Lielvārde Belt

File:Roundel of Latvia (1926-1940).svg|Latvian Air Force roundel until 1940

File:Stāmerienas pagasts COA.svg|Coat of arms of Stāmeriena Parish

File:Stradu pagasts COA.svg|Coat of arms of Stradi Parish

File:Latvian Order of Lacplesis (cropped).jpg|The cross of the Order of Lāčplēsis

File:Perkonkrusta karogs.svg|Flag of the Pērkonkrusts