PEACE AND LOVE

PEACE AND LOVE

This famous emblematic sign of “Flower Power” was invented by Gerald Holton, a British professional graphic designer who was a conscientious objector during the Second World War. In February 1958, he worked for the Ministry of Education and designed the logo for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

It instantly became the symbol for peace. It reads in the semaphore alphabet (used in the British Navy), as an N and a D, which are the initials of Nuclear Disarmament.

N

D

It has been said that this sign was inspired by the hippie salute, a palm-out V sign of two fingers in the air.

The search for peace is a great symbol of Christianity, the religions of India, Islam and Buddhism, not to mention many philosophies.

Ghandi was an outspoken advocate of “non-violence”, defined as “opposition to violence without harming others”. In the 1960’s the hippy movement also adopted this symbol to protest against nuclear weapons, the war in Vietnam and to campaign for a healthy and pollution-free future.

At the time, non-violent demonstrations were pervasive on both sides of the Atlantic.

The list of celebrities who opposed the Vietnam conflict is impressive and included Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, John Lennon, Jane Fonda, Leonard Bernstein, Jasper Johns ….

In 1966 the boxer Mohammed Ali refused to serve in the U.S. military and became a conscientious objector. Jimi Hendrix, in 1969, at Woodstock, played the American Anthem on an electric guitar, adding bomb sounds using vibrato and feedback.

The symbol is in no way old fashioned; it doesn’t just belong to the baby boomer generation but is still a vibrant and positive symbol in daily use. The sign is as ubiquitous and universal as Picasso’s dove.

It is found on T-shirts, headbands, scarves and jewelry such as necklaces, pendantsrings and bracelets.

You too can pay tribute to this enduring, positive emblem and all it represents!

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