The Peace Symbol Turns 50

Washington Post | Paul Farhi | April 4, 2008 12:49 AM

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The peace symbol -- three simple lines within a circle -- turns 50 today. It's had a colorful and often turbulent life, which is odd considering that it's supposed to symbolize, you know, peace.

Unveiled at a British ban-the-bomb rally on April 4, 1958, the peace symbol's peak of potency was in the 1960s, when it was the emblem of the anti-Vietnam War movement and all things groovily counterculture. (Said its late creator, British graphic designer Gerald Holtom: "I drew myself . . . a man in despair . . . put a circle around it to represent the world.") The symbol has marched in service of many causes over the years: civil rights, women's rights, environmentalism, gay rights, anti-apartheid, the nuclear-freeze movement and the latter-day antiwar crowd.

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It seems the Peace symbol surfaced on letters from the Direct Action Committee against Nuclear War in its original form as early as March 1958. Bertrand Russell was a member of this committee and through his writings has left us with an unmistakable history of when, where and who created the Peace Sign.

Here are quotes from letters Bertrand Russell wrote in response to H. Pickles from Lichthort Verlag who wrote to complain that the peace symbol was a death symbol because the arms pointed downwards. Russell's reply: ``I am afraid that I cannot follow your argument that the ND badge is a death-symbol. It was invented by a member of our movement as the badge of the Direct Action Committee against Nuclear War, for the first Aldermaston March. It was designed from the naval code of semaphore, and the symbol represents the code letters for ND. To the best of my knowledge, the Navy does not employ signalers who work upside down.''

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Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 02:15 PM on 04/06/2008

- JohnFromCensornati See Profile I'm a Fan of JohnFromCensornati

There was a time when the river was wide
And the water came running down to the rising tide
But the wooden ships were just a hippie dream

Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:30 AM on 04/04/2008

- gevan See Profile I'm a Fan of gevan

At least we got John McCain out of jail. The law of unintended consequences rules the day.

Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 08:15 AM on 04/04/2008

- bar1ed See Profile I'm a Fan of bar1ed

I've worn one since coming home from Nam. ----- a lot of good its done ! but i keep hoping. --- peace!

Favorite Flag as abusive Posted 06:34 AM on 04/04/2008

- TOOO See Profile I'm a Fan of TOOO

Sadly, people today are more likely to wear the Mercedes-Benz symbol than the peace symbol.

But, still - Happy 50th, Peace Symbol!