El lauburu. Política, cultura e identidad nacional en torno a un símbolo del País Vasco
The lauburu ("four heads" in Basque) is a cross with four commashaped heads, similar to the swastika. Today it is one of the most important symbols of Basque identity. In this paper, I analyze its origins and history, which is full of contradictions, changes in name and shape, especially u...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Spanish |
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Universidad de Navarra
2009-12-01
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| Series: | Memoria y Civilización |
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| Online Access: | https://www.unav.edu/publicaciones/revistas/index.php/myc/article/view/33709 |
| Summary: | The lauburu ("four heads" in Basque) is a cross with four commashaped heads, similar to the swastika. Today it is one of the most important symbols of Basque identity. In this paper, I analyze its origins and history, which is full of contradictions, changes in name and shape, especially until the Spanish Civil War and World War II. The lauburu was created in the 17th century; and in the 19th century it symbolized the unity of four Basque Provinces. The lauburu was later identified with a swastika (symbol of the Basque nation, according Sabino Arana, the founder of the Basque Nationalist Party) almost identical to the Nazi symbol. The Basque nationalist movement used the lauburu until Hitler took power in Germany and permanently adopted the lauburu as it is used today. During the past few hundred years this symbol has been the object of endless interpretations by different political parties and social movements associated with Basque nationalism. |
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| ISSN: | 1139-0107 2254-6367 |