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CND / Peace Symbol
By peace | May 13, 2006
A peace symbol is a representation or object that has come to symbolize peace. Several different symbols have been used throughout history, of which the dove, olive branch and the nuclear disarmament symbol (☮) are perhaps the best known.
This symbol (☮) was adopted as its badge by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in Britain, and originally, its use was confined to supporters of that organisation. It was later generalised to become an icon of the 1960s anti-war movement, and was also adopted by the counterculture of the time. It was designed and completed 21 February 1958 by Gerald Holtom, a commercial designer and artist in Britain. He had been commissioned by the CND to design a symbol for use at an Easter March to Canterbury Cathedral in protest against the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston in England.
Peace Symbol History Questions and Answers
Q. Where did the Peace Symbol come from?
A. The “peace sign” was originally the symbol of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) in the United Kingdom. It was designed by Gerald Holtom in 1958. Some say that it was designed by Bertrand Russell but more than likely that stems from the fact that Russell was the president of the CND at the time.
The first public use of the symbol was on flags and placards during the 1958 Aldermaston march (in England). It was described in Manchester Guardian articles covering the march.
Q. Why the particular design for the Peace Symbol?
A. The CND meaning of the symbol is semaphore for ‘N’ (the two diagonal lines) and ‘D’ (the two vertical lines) standing for “nuclear disarmament.” Later in the sixties, the symbol was adopted as a general peace sign within the student anti-war movement.
Q. Why did the Peace Symbol get so many bad names associated with it? Is it anti-Christian?
A. This can be anyone’s guess. At the time the Peace Symbol was made it was very unpopular to question war. If you were anti-war that meant you were a communist and that meant you were evil. So of course much was written against it to somehow make peace seem bad. But even soldiers fighting in Vietnam were wearing Peace Symbols. People knew deep down that peace was something to embrace by all people. There is no need for people to die over war.
There is no direct connection to what some call the “Witches’ Foot” or “Nero’s Cross” or even a “Death Rune.” Peace is very pro-Christian as well as most other religions. It is a fundamental need shared by all. The Peace Symbol embodies all our hopes, wishes, and desires for a peaceful world where everyone can live together. Peace on earth and good will to all of human kind.
Peace is the one condition of survival in this nuclear age.
Adlai E. Stevenson
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