This looks more like a Greek design of some kind. Still, someone probably should have considered the similarity to the Nazi symbol and not used it on Hanukkah gift wrap. Just dumb, probably, and not malicious.

an old, old pattern commonly used in building decorations. Is this the only pattern Walmart offers?

My first reaction was, why does this paper have a printed circuit schematic?

A printed circuit schematic might make sort of neat wrapping paper.

The bent cross/swastika motif is an ancient one, appearing on buildings and pottery every since such things were made. It's highly unlikely this was intentional and even if it was, you have to look hard to find it and divorce it from the rest of the pattern.

Somebody is trying really, really hard to find things to be offended by in this case. Walgreen's needs to tell them to go jump in a lake.

Nobody was trying to be sneaky and nobody at Walgreen's in charge of buying wrapping paper is an overt Jew basher.

This whole business is overreaching.

People who go around sniffing for shit where none exists will also find something to complain about with printed circuit paper, like eliminating half the design and coming up with FUCK.

Someone goofed, though, in this context.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika

The swastika (also known as the gammadion cross or cross cramponnée) is a symbol that generally takes the form of an equilateral cross, with its four legs bent at 90 degrees (as a Chinese character: 卐 or 卍 .[1][2] It is considered to be a very sacred and auspicious symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.[3]

It appears as a decorative element in various cultures since at least the Neolithic, and is mostly known as a symbol in Indian religions, denoting "auspiciousness", adopted as such in pre-WWI-Europe and later, and most notably, by the Nazi Party and Nazi Germany. Because of its use in Nazism, in many Western countries the swastika is stigmatized,[4] while it remains commonly used as a religious symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism.[3]

The word swastika derives from the Sanskrit svastika "lucky or auspicious object". The older term gammadion cross derives mainly from its appearance, which is identical to four Greek gamma letters affixed to each other.

SNIP

The swastika (also known as the gammadion cross or cross cramponnée) is a symbol that generally takes the form of an equilateral cross, with its four legs bent at 90 degrees as a Chinese character: 卐 or 卍. It is considered to be a very sacred and auspicious symbol in Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism.

However it would be in very bad taste to intentionally put it on Hanukkah gift wrap regardless of other ways that symbol has been used, and I still think it was probably a mistake, and someone still needed better quality control.

I don't honestly understand why people always put that information in threads about swastikas. It's irrelevant how else the swastika has been historically used in this case. This is wrapping paper for a Jewish holiday.

Is so then yeah I would wonder, if not then maybe they intentionally did or not. You would have to investigate further imo.

not

(I'm in a block full of abandoned mills, about half of which have been unofficially opened to street artists, along with most of the walls along the main street.)

Though, interestingly, there's an old Jewish cemetery nearby, and the street artists leave the swastikas off that (though they'll still do murals on its front wall). Which is pretty classy of them if you ask me, since the Hindus had nothing to do with their symbol getting appropriated by the Nazis.

I always think about intent, if someone found out that wrapping paper company was owned in South Carolina by a white extremest, probably yes would be the answer.

I can also see why it is offense around this time of year and was taken that way even if unintentionally. It could be argued that Target the corporation disrespects the United Kingdom by using the Royal Air Force Roundel. Is the Porsche logo an insult to King William and the Weimar Republic?

Storm in a teacup myself. :p

First, to say this is a swastika is a stretch.

Second, if a swastika, this is a left swastika; the Nazis used a right swastika.

because it's a segment of a larger pattern.

But it looks like it half go one way and half go the other to me.

Yes, it is part of a bigger pattern.

The pattern is mirrored. But, yeah, I have trouble seeing this as anything intentional or problematic.

needs more attention with some hand cream than the crypto-gift wrap swastikas........

It's just like how those hyper religious people claim to see Jesus or Mary in every tortilla chip, Cheeto, or potato chip they see.

It's a rohrshack test (sp).

The ends of the arms don't stop, they just keep going.

Plus they have right- and left-handed versions in the design (it's symmetrical), and the difference between those two is very important, I have trouble thinking this was intentional.

The swastika is a great way to transition overlapping/inersecting lines in interesting ways, but due to the loaded symbolism, I almost never use it.

Or is this one of those games where when I see it I will sh*t brixs?

I mean that sincerely! After reading your heartfelt post in the AA group, I was a bit stung by your post. I probably shouldn't have attached such meaning to your post, but as a minority here, I know what it is to be mocked, ridiculed, and chastised (for seeing "what isn't really there&quot by those who call themselves liberal, progressive, etc. If this were run-of-the-mill wrapping paper, I would still see it, but not think much about it; but something specially marketed for a Jewish holiday. well, I saw it.

I do my best to be sensitive, but, alas.... sometimes I am blind.

All the best to you and your family!

When we aren't a part of a certain culture, we can easily be blind; sometimes, even if we are part of the affected culture. Is this a deliberate "error"? I have no way of knowing. But, I sure as hell wouldn't wrap any of my Channukah gifts in it!

Best to you and yours as well!

Looked like a Greek key pattern to me before you posted this close up. No idea if it was on purpose although I suspect they'll pull it to be on the safe side.

I agree it should be removed. I also think that it probably was not done on purpose.

If it hadn't been pointed out to me.

celebrations or occurrences be vetted for Nazi imagery and symbolism. It wouldn't take much to just screen it for such at some point before it goes to market, catch anything inadvertent or nefarious.

If this were not marketed for Hanukkah, I wouldn't think twice about it.

it's true the coincidence with Hannukah makes it awkward and unfortunate.

I don't know the entire story; I doubt anyone does, but to dismiss, out of hand, that this isn't a possible slam is why "soft racism" can flourish. Yes, we all know the swastika can and does have religious significance in other cultures, but we also know it is used to remind Jews (and others) of "our place" in the world. If this were random gift wrapping, I wouldn't think much about it. If, as claimed, it was marketed as Chanukah wrapping paper, then my suspicions are roused. Why is it to some, Jews aren't ever the victims of a conspiracy, just the ones always behind them?

See it now because I was looking for it. Probably no one noticed during the production. It is beautiful paper. Do you think we will ever be able to use a pattern such as the one in the post without having to edit? Seems a shame to let the Nazis control us that way. Reclaim art!!

It may not be by the company, but someone in their graphics department. There are a lot of people in the world who hate Jewish people, unfortunately. They should recall this wrapping paper, find out who let it happen and/or made it happen, fire their ass for it, and issue an apology.

I have seen many Greek keys that don't have an embedded swastika.

And, though this is the least of it, what does a Greek key have to do with Hanukkah anyway?

In terms of religion, I associate Greeks with two things, the Greek Orthodox Church and the language in which a lot of early finds of the New Testament was written. What happened to menorahs, oil lamps, Torahs, etc. And if they had to go to a particular nation, how about symbols of Israel, ancient Israel or modern Israel?

And I'm Jewish.

The one thing to remember about Greek Key designs is they are almost always a singular pattern (line) (see the above example). This is a clearer version, which is at the actual site, as opposed to the picture used in the OP:



ETA: LOL! Ooops...seems you saw my other post. Spinning like a dreidel here! LOL!

so I searched for another so people could see it.

It does look clearer in that one, although that also makes it look like this pattern is much larger than it is.

I hope it's unintentional because I hate to think so poorly of humanity, but I can also see the possibility of someone thinking this was a clever way to sneak in some hate.

....to use for Hannukkah gifts.

buying this paper. There are many other border designs that could have been used. Why pick this one?

Huge faux pas on the part of the designer, or a deliberate anti-semitic choice. Either way, it sucks.

from the NY Daily News article.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/nazi-party-wrap-disguised-hanukkah-wrapping-paper-article-1.2037236

It was, as many thought, an oversight/accident. Hopefully, people will learn from it, but I doubt it.

the design was probably thought up by some 20 y/o kid in India who wanted to add an article of his faith. The arms are pointing counter -clockwise while the Nazi swastika has the arms going clockwise.

care if half of them facing the wrong way or it's part of a "Greek key" or what have you.

I think Walgreen's need to have a massive bonfire and just get rid of that wrapping paper. How about replacing it with something simple with a Star of David motif?

I remember my Grandparents- the Jewish ones, mind you- had a similar pattern on a couch. Being a highly observant - in the paying attention sense, not the religious one- young lad, I distinctly remember more than once being, like, "uh...guys?"

Once you see 'em, they really stand out. This helped, from another post:

https://s.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/mJGhxaVRpgmc_Upmdl_QIw--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7Zmk9aW5zZXQ7aD02MTI7aWw9cGxhbmU7cT03NTt3PTI1OQ--/

I see a sail boat.