Symbolizing Peace: Revisiting the Past and Moving Forward

At the ripe old age of 52, the internationally recognized iconic symbol has recently made a popular resurgence. Commonly known as the peace symbol, this famous circle of protest and solace has reemerged as a means for mainstreaming opposition to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The peace symbol is arguably the most controversial sign in common usage, and has not only an interesting past, but will continue to follow the evolution of social justice.

The peace sign as we know it now in the United States signifies an absence of war and the hope for prosperity. However, this meaning evolved from its original symbolism as developed by Gerald Holtom, a British artist and contentious objector during World War II. Holtom created the symbol for a march sponsored by two organizations dedicated to eradicating nuclear armament: the Direct Action Committee Against Nuclear War (DAC) and the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). Convinced that their mission would gain attention if it had a logo, Holtom created what we now know as the peace symbol, and called it the "Ban the Bomb" sign. To create the symbol, Holtom used the semaphore, or flag-signaling, alphabet, combining the letters N and D for nuclear disarmament with a larger circle to represent the Earth. This symbol was later adopted by CND, who to this day refuse to copyright or trademark the logo on the basis that it is the property of free people worldwide.

Image from BBC News

The "Ban the Bomb" sign was adopted across the pond by American activists who applied it to a myriad of causes, beginning with the African- American Civil Rights movement. The sign quickly became a symbol of protest among anti-war activists during the unpopular Vietnam War, and was also applied to the women's and gay rights movements. Controversy arose mainly with the symbol's application during the Vietnam War, when it was perceived as an attack on the troops. As tension mounted in American society, the presence of the symbol caused many to negatively associate it with the counter-culture of the 1960's and 1970's.

Fortunately, the modern usage of the peace symbol is more inclusive, as an appeal to a cessation of violence. As CND states on their website, "A symbol for freedom, it is free for all." The presence of this symbol in our current society is a proactive comfort. While some people fear that we are becoming desensitized to words and images of war, it's essential that we continue to mainstream ideals and symbols of prosperity and civility.

Thanks to activist JRC for inspiration of this article.