The Powerful Symbol of Peace

As a teenager I remember drawing the peace sign on books. Not knowing where it came from I remember contemplating its design and hearing opinions on where the sign came from. I had heard the inverted cross, this wrong and was made up to discredit the symbol that had such an influence.

I just found out it came from a group protesting Nuclear Weapons in the late 50's in London. Like the Vitruvian Man, the symbol is a person inside a circle, signing the letters "N" "D" . The circle represents the earth and the letters stand for Nuclear Disarmament. Designed by Gerald Holtom, "a designer and former World War II conscientious objector from West London". From its original purpose, the symbol has transcended it's original meaning.

If you would like to know more about this most influential symbol, please read this BBC story, World's best-known protest symbol turns 50. Happy 50th Birthday Peace Sign!