Peace!
I’ve come back with so much love in my heart after spending last week with my grandkids that I can’t stop thinking about…and writing about…related subjects. Thus yesterday’s namaste post and today’s post on the origin of the peace sign.
For me, the peace sign is the most beautiful sign there is. And I bet it’s the most popular and easily recognizable graphic design in the whole wide world. Next to the smiley, of course. 
It also happens to be a cherished symbol for me, to the point where I had it tattooed on my left arm in August of 1996, a birthday gift from my sons who gave me the money to have it done. My kids are the coolest.
Back then, I asked Pierre, the tattoo artist who has since opened Studio Tattoo Mania, to seek inspiration from Salvador Dali’s melting clocks. Ain’t it a beaut’?
And now, here’s what I found on Wikipedia concerning the origin of the peace sign:
This forked symbol was designed originally from Nero’s cross and used for the Direct Action Committee Against Nuclear War (DAC) and was adopted as its badge by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) in Britain, and originally was used by the British nuclear disarmament movement.
It was subsequently adopted as an international emblem for the 1960s anti-war movement, and was also adopted by the counterculture of the time. It was designed and completed February 21, 1958, by Gerald Holtom, a professional designer and artist in Britain for the April 4 march planned by DAC from Trafalgar Square, London, to the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston in England.
The symbol itself is a combination of the semaphoric signals for the letters “N” and “D,” standing for Nuclear
Disarmament.
In semaphore the letter “N” is formed by a person holding two flags in an upside-down “V,” and the letter “D” is formed by holding one flag pointed straight up and the other pointed straight down. These two signals imposed over each other form the shape of the peace symbol.
Holtom later wrote to Hugh Brock, editor of Peace News, explaining the genesis of his idea in greater depth: “I was in despair. Deep despair. I drew myself: the representative of an individual in despair, with hands palm outstretched outwards and downwards in the manner of Goya’s peasant before the firing squad. I formalised the drawing into a line and put a circle round it.”
So there ya go…peace out folks!
Marilyn Robertson says:
Seen it, used it, grew up with it….. but never knew the origin. Thanks Oza for sharing that. Interesting.
August 4, 2008 at 5:29 pm
OzaMeilleur says:
Hey Marilyn…
So true. I was surprised to learn it was created in 1958 — I was sure it was a 60s thing.
Awwww…feels funny even typing the year 1958. I totally feel like an old shaman…a very happy old shaman (shawoman?).
Love ya, girl!
xoxo
August 4, 2008 at 11:20 pm
Chuck says:
Oza, I think everyone in the world should have a tattoo of a peace sign. It’s something that the world needs to strive for. Having a tattoo will keep that in everyone’s mind. Mind you, I’m a little chicken to get a tattoo lol.
August 21, 2008 at 2:31 pm
OzaMeilleur says:
Well, well…Chicken Chuck :p
Thanks for dropping by, my *delicious* friend (note to the reader: check out his blog, you’ll know what I mean).
It’s one thing to have it tattooed to your skin, it’s another to have it tattooed to your heart.
Okay, THAT would hurt. But you know what I mean, right?
Hugs and…Peace & Love,
MuddOza
xoxo
August 21, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Cindy says:
I didn’t know that!
August 21, 2008 at 3:31 pm
OzaMeilleur says:
Hi Cindy!
I get that remark from everyone, nowadays. Unbelievable that such a popular sign/logo is such a mystery.
Hugs and love xoxo
August 21, 2008 at 3:50 pm
Being the Change I Wish to See - Sherri says:
Very cool! I knew it had something to do with the Roman cross, but never looked up exactly how it got to be a 60’s peace sign. I just remember the turbulence of the Vietnam War. I had a peace sign necklace for a long time. Not sure what happened to it. That was 40 years ago.
August 23, 2008 at 12:07 pm
OzaMeilleur says:
Hi Sherri!
I’m so grateful that you dropped by and that I got to discover YOUR beautiful site. I hope everyone clicks on your name and reads about the great work you’re doing.
Sad to see that there are still wars…but good that we are conscious about the situation and working towards a peaceful outcome. Hopefully SOON.
Peace and Love and Big Hugs xoxo
August 23, 2008 at 3:20 pm