I had to laugh too!!! And, yes it was s religous symbol, and is still used in some areas (india). I once saw a quilt of valor that had one on it...in the middle of the quilt some red blocks came together and made that shape. It jumped out at me immedialtely, I had to wonder what the receipent thought. My DH has an engine that is built in India and made of cast iron. Inside the engine there is a swastika made into the iron.