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 Peace Sign Turns 50Posted on Mar 20, 2008
It started as a rallying image for the British anti-nuclear movement in the late ‘50s and went on to become one of the world’s most instantly recognizable—and widely adopted—symbols. But did you know that the iconic peace sign was originally derived from the semaphore alphabet?
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By Richard, April 21 at 2:39 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
The real origin of the peace symbol meaning such was indirect and well befor hippies. People have been right that it does represent a rune but how it is used is wrong. Up until the end of WWII and since the Romanctic period in Germany (essentially post 1848), a common grave marking was to have the forked runed three points up to note the date of birth, and the reverse noted the date of death. Knowing this the Russians dropped elaflets over German as they marched in, with the symbol within (but not yet connected to) a circle with teh text meaning, to paraphrase we will have peace either through surrender or death, hence the emphasis on the rune from the grave markers.
The Nuclear Disarmament happened to fit the symbol but was not the original meaning.
Rich
Report thisBy Guitarsandmore805, March 24 at 3:44 am #
I grew up during the Vietnam era and protested the war vigorously. Many other protestors that I marched with were ministers and priests who were also marching for peace. I don’t believe the peace sign means anything pro or against religion, at least that’s not how any of us intended it.
War can happen with or without the backing of a religion and it is the war we oppose. Vanity, a sense of “might makes right”, or just plain greed, is enough to start a war. I don’t think ending religion would change a thing except the type of justification used to go to war.
Report thisBy Maani, March 22 at 7:11 am #
C’mon. We all know the peace sign was co-opted from the Mercedes-Benz logo...LOL
Peace.
Report thisBy Purple Girl, March 22 at 3:37 am #
Symbols resonate with Us - they have a more innate connection to our psychic core. Patterns and Symbols(images) are more ancient and thus mor epowerful than words or Rhetoric. A symbol (image) is far more encompassing and meaningful of grander and more complicated Concepts.
Report thisHappy birthday ‘Peace’ sign-You still speak Volumes
By Douglas Chalmers, March 21 at 8:32 pm #
Check this out at http://www.newstatesman.com/200803200004
It is 50 years since the first Aldermaston march. On Monday protesters will gather once again in opposition to plans for a new generation of nuclear weapons....
On Easter Monday, CND is going back to Aldermaston. Yes, we intend to surround the Atomic Weapons Establishment that builds Britains nuclear weapons and we will celebrate 50 years of courageous, creative and tenacious opposition to nukes. But if you think this is just a blast from the past, that this is just about the 50th anniversary, you are very much mistaken.
Aldermaston is not something that belongs to the past it produces Britains weapons of mass destruction today....
Report thisBy Douglas Chalmers, March 21 at 3:02 pm #
The Runic symbol of the Elk reversed meant a danger to life and Nature.
Having the word “Peace” commonly in association with the Nuclear Disarmament sign was an additional statement. People have subsequently taken the symbol to mean peace.
Report thisBy Chris, March 21 at 11:31 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
Explain your difference in perception between the silliness involved in creating a symbol for peace and using one that happened to be used in runes (as I understand your usage of it, old religious practices and symbols). I push the issue because I don’t happen to think that safety regulations on an immediate, practical level (directing planes), or with regard to the continued existence of our species (nuclear arms) are silly, in the way you seem to.
Report thisBy Aegrus, March 21 at 4:11 am #
I’m not saying people who want nuclear disarmament, or those who perpetuate the symbol in that respect, are silly so much as I just think it was created in a silly fashion.
Report thisBy Aegrus, March 21 at 4:07 am #
Well, there are always different interpretations available as many people, but reversed, as the symbol clearly is seen in the “peace sign” might very well speak to the efficacy of the nuclear disarmament and peace movements which employ the sign.
I won’t get into the Nero’s cross interpretation. The Hindu symbol is something I’ve seen, but have no shared association with.
Report thisBy Chris, March 20 at 9:04 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
I was commenting on what seems to be the lack of appreciation in your mind of the arbitrary nature of symbols. While I understand what you mean when you talk about a preference for symbols that, as you understand it, come from a certain background, I fail to see how symbols developed in the practice of keeping people alive (in flying) and adapted with respect to nuclear disarmament are ‘“silly," as you put it.
Report thisBy Douglas Chalmers, March 20 at 4:40 pm #
By Aegrus, March 20 : “...I happen to identify with runes and different imagery on a personal level...”
The last time I saw one, I got it confused with the nuclear radiation hazard sign - The tri-foil is the international symbol for radiation http://www.epa.gov/radiation/
But I agree about it having a link with the Runes, Aegrus. There is a rune which is a reversed peace symbol - but its description also mentions it reversed which is what the peace symbol is, uhh. As such, it is still really solely the nuclear disarmament symbol......
Algiz: (Z or -R: Elk, protection.) Protection, a shield. The protective urge to shelter oneself or others. Defense, warding off of evil, shield, guardian. Connection with the gods, awakening, higher life. It can be used to channel energies appropriately. Follow your instincts. Keep hold of success or maintain a position won or earned.....
Algiz Reversed: or Merkstave: Hidden danger, consumption by divine forces, loss of divine link. Taboo, warning, turning away, that which repels. http://www.sunnyway.com/runes/meanings.html
Sadly, it is also known as NERO’S CROSS: A broken, upside-down cross. To Roman emperor Nero, who hated and persecuted the early Christians, it meant destruction of Christianity. Revived in the sixties by hippies and others who protested nuclear weapons, Western culture, and Christian values, it now symbolizes a utopian hope for a new age of global peace and earth-centered unity. But many of heavy metal rock fans would agree with Nero and use it to mock Christ and His followers.
The Rainbow and the Dove and Olive Branch are also very realistic symbols of peace but any mention of either in connection with Judaism these days is an absurd hypocrisy given the ongoing Palestinian saga, Zionist expansionism and regional hegemony, and the AIPAC scandal in the USA.
Perhaps the most enduring peace symbol is the Hindu “Pranava”. The mantram Aum denotes God as the Primal Sound which is said to emanate from the Sun and can be heard in deep meditation as the living breath of Creation repeated endlessly day and night.
Although It is chanted as “OM”, it should be written or spoken of only as “A-U-M” because of its deep psychological effect.....
http://hinduism.about.com/od/omaum/a/meaningofom.htm
Report thisBy Aegrus, March 20 at 12:08 pm #
Well, I’m of the opinion there are certain symbols and cultural aspects which manifest an affinity in certain individuals. I happen to identify with runes and different imagery on a personal level. It has little to do with faith, so much as it has to do with preference.
Report thisBy RogerART.com, March 20 at 12:01 pm #
.
21 century Earth Citizen Hand-Shake & Hand-Sign
... (first flashed in the year 2000 )
SEE HOW 2 DO IT… at
http://www.RogerART.com
Scroll down a bit....
Peace, Love & Later, Roger at RogerART dot com
PASS it ON - FLASH it ON - ENJOY - ENJOY - YOJNE
.
EARTH CITIZEN - Hand-Shake / Hand-Sign
Is Made by…
Connecting the Middle Finger with the Thumb
The Resulting Circle,
Signifies Our Shared Planet Earth
The Raised Index Finger,
Is A Reminder that
WE Are ALL - ONE PEOPLE
Interconnected - All Alive NOW in the NOW,
NOW
Report this.
By Chris, March 20 at 10:44 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
I’m having a seriously difficult time understanding the distinction you make between the ‘peace’ symbol and a “true symbol of protection.” Show me ANY ONE symbol in the universe whose meaning is inherent and I’ll show you something like, maybe, some kind of spaghetti monster. Maybe you were speaking on a more spiritual bent, however, thinking that the algiz symbol does actually impart some real protection merely by its presence; if this is the case, I apologize for misunderstanding you.
Report thisBy Aegrus, March 20 at 7:17 am #
50 years and we still can’t get a hold on all those loose nukes and disarm ourselves. Power is too seductive for our character-lacking elected officials.
I never really liked the Peace sign, now that it comes to mind. The algiz symbol has far more meaning in my life, and is far more ancient than some silly flag semaphore and is a true symbol of protection.
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