For instance, I’m living in Korea now. There are swastikas painted everywhere in some parts of the town where I’m at. There are plenty to be seen near Seoul. If you came here, you’d probably get the impression that Hitler left his mark on the world. But, the swastikas don’t mean the same thing here. Rather, the swastikas represent world peace, serenity, and unity in life and are a part of traditional Buddhist symbolism that pre-dates the Nazi era. Additonally, if one looks closely, one would notice that the swastikas here are backward when compared to the one the Nazis use. Since these were the original swastikas, then that means the Nazis reversed it. And, in doing so, perhaps they meant to reverse the message of world peace, serenity and unity.

The evidence that there are royal purple hoods along with the white ones clearly shows that this is not a Klan rally (21st century), but when put into the historical context of history, represents medieval executioners. See the relevant Wikipedia article:

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

In studying the history of the KKK and similar groups, I know that the KKK wears all white robes to present “purity”. The grandmaster of the KKK wears a black robe (ironically) to exercise his authority and symbolize “death”. In some ways they rightfully are fitting into the same mold of the executioners of Christ by choosing to execute many of God’s children of color.

I wouldn’t worry too much about Sarkozy, he will have his work cut out to move the French civil service, let alone the people to his Anglo-Saxon economic model. I’m not holding my breath for a transformation.

I think its that enthusiasm and sincerity that makes it so wonderful to behold, I kind of miss it in our somewhat spiritually barren Northern Europe.

Steve @

Very likely indeed, well spotted.

In conversations with the locals I understood two possible explanations for the style of dress :

1) The hoods represent the executioners of Christ and provide anonymity for the people enacting the events so that “simple people” would not somehow associate the individuals taking part with the original act.

2) The hoods represent acolyte souls of the unborn and the dead who accompany Christ in his journey from the living world into heaven and back again.

In spite of their fearsome appearance it is a sombre yet joyful celebration because it is rooted in our salvation.