I believe originally it was called am Manjy or somesuch.
I think, I'm stretching my recollection here, it was anchient Chinese and meant infinity or eternity.
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riverghost servicing your mum since,
Mon 21 Jan 2008, 9:37,
archived)
I was given to believe that it was a Hindu good luck symbol
if only someone could provide a link to a website that would explain it.
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Seance Trumpet has got no beef with a man enjoying a croissant,
Mon 21 Jan 2008, 9:51,
archived)