The Symbols of Peace
Mean Many Things

We humans love to express ourselves with images. The many symbols of peace currently in use may have been invented purposefully to express a specific idea, or evolved from a form that meant something completely different in times gone by.

By knowing their origins and many interpretations, you can choose the peace symbol that best expresses your views. Make it your personal peace sign and let your friends and the world know where you stand.

Peace Symbol

Probably the most recognizable of the symbols of peace, this was created in 1958 by graphic designer Gerald Holtom on behalf of Britain's campaign for nuclear disarmament, which first displayed it during a protest march that year. Holtom initially considered using a Christian cross within a circle, but priests objected to using the cross as a sign of protest.

Since 1958, this ant-nuke symbol has evolved into a universally recognized symbol of peace. It is not universally accepted, however.

During the Vietnam War, pro-war groups in the United States referred to it as a “chicken foot,” implying that those opposed to the war were cowards. Others have called it “Nero’s Cross,” referring to the Roman emperor whose similar shaped emblem was adopted by some Satanists.

And there is a comparison made with the “tyr rune,” part of an archaic Germanic alphabet that in the position shown here means “protection.” If you invert it to look like the N.D. peace symbol, some believe it also inverts the rune’s meaning to “death.”

Peace Sign

This likely began in World War II as a V for victory, exemplified by Britain’s then Prime Minister Winston Churchill. It appeared on the walls throughout Europe as a symbol of freedom from occupation by Hitler and the Axis powers.

In the 1960s and 70s, it was adopted initially by hippies as a greeting of love, and became associated with both peace and love—major themes of hippie culture. Some say it signifies victory for peace and truth.

Olive Branch

This has a near universal significance as one of the symbols of peace. Greeks have long used them as peace symbols. They also awarded olive wreaths to champions in the ancient Olympics—when wars were traditionally suspended. The Torah, Old Testament and Qur’an describe how Noah released a dove from the ark. It returned carrying an olive branch, symbolizing the end of the flood and a future home for Man.

In the Great Seal of the United States, an eagle clutches an olive branch in its right talon, signifying peace.

Peace Dove

Like the olive branch, this has at least part of its origins in the ark story. Noah released several birds from the ark, but only the dove returned with the olive branch- a sign of Man’s deliverance and God’s forgiveness.

It’s strong reference as a peace symbol may have begun when Pablo Picasso produced this poster for a 1949 international peace conference in Paris.

The Pace (pah-chay) Flag

Pace means peace in Italian and Romanian. The rainbow design has several possible origins. The rainbow across the sky at the end of the Great Flood was a sign of God’s covenant with Man to never again destroy the world. Rainbows also signify co-existence among different people.

The flag itself began in Switzerland at the 1923 International Co-Operative Congress , where attendees wanted to symbolize their ideas of international solidarity, economic efficiency, equality and peace. The colors signify:

Show Your Support for Peace

In the #1 bestseller The Tipping Point, Malcolm Caldwell sets forth convincing social evidence that when communities reiterate a theme with consistency, it takes hold and behaviors change to support the theme.

Put that power to work for a good cause with these useful, fun and well made symbols of peace products.