Sign of the Times

April, 2008 celebrates the 50th anniversary of the peace sign. It is the one sign recognized around the globe regardless of one’s race or religion transcending all differences. The symbol unites us all. Interestingly enough, each passing decade adopts the power of the sign and the appeal continue to grow. The cultural phenomenon’s golden birthday is commerated by National Geographic who is publishing a tribute to the world-famous pictogram.

Peace activists began using the symbol in 1958 while protesting the testing and stockpiling of nuclear weapons. Gerald Holtorn, a textile designer, created the symbol by combining the semaphore letters of N and D, referencing nuclear disarmament. To this day, the symbol has been easy to remember and reproduce. It is an icon which appears on clothing, flags and the armband of many different cultural movements such as the Vietnam War, the Civil Rights movement, various environmental causes, women’s and gay rights movements, and two Iraqi wars. If one is challenging the need for social change then what better universal sign to use?

In a day and age where religion is a loaded subject, it is refreshing to see volatile conversations tempered by a secular symbol. The answer, the simple sign of peace, stands for good. It reminds one to be kind to their neighbors. It teaches one to care for animals. The sign explains that there are no answers in violence and fighting; only more questions. Ultimately, the cultural representation has allowed citizens of the world to march under one sign, to wear one easily recognizable symbol, and to even display commentary during times of war and combat. What beauty queen when asked what she would want for the world hasn’t responded,”world peace”. And can one really blame her? Perhaps, she had it more together than one gave her credit for. Do something peaceful today and watch the wave of goodness return to you.