Why does the Ark burn the markings off its crate?
In Raiders of the Lost Ark, while the Ark is sitting inside a crate in the ship's hold we are shown that the crate mysteriously starts to burn, obscuring the swastika and other markings stenciled on its side.
Presumably it's the Ark itself that is doing this, since no one is around at the time.
Why does the Ark burn the crate? It evidently doesn't hinder the Germans finding it when they intercept the cargo ship shortly thereafter. The Ark's crate appears to be the only thing in the cargo hold.
Best Answer
There is no commentary from the film-makers (that I can find) that covers this specific burning crate subject but it seems evident that it's...
..because the Ark refuses to be marked by evil which is represented by the Nazi markings.
Nazi symbols take quite a beating or are mocked a lot in the movie and this is just another example...albeit with more visceral impact.
Others include...
A Nazi flag is used as a rope
Indy breaks off the Nazi hood ornament of the car (IIRC)
A monkey gives a Nazi salute
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