It was most recently used as the symbol for the phrase “Ban The Bomb” before being adapted as the symbol of peace. There are hundreds if not thousands of symbols and words that have original meanings lost to the years. No need to get upset over things that nearly all living persons are unaware of. The sentiment in this strip should be exactly as intended.
History lesson childrenRewind back to 1958 when London textile designer, Gerald Holtom, wanted to create a symbol for marchers to carry on banners and signs at a “Ban the Bomb” march planned by the Direct Action Committee Against Nuclear War (DAC). The event was Britain’s first major demonstration against nuclear weapons–a 52-mile march from London to the town of Aldermaston, home to an A-bomb research center.Nowadays we all know what the symbol stands for, but what is the meaning behind the design? Holtom created the symbol by combining the flag semaphore signals for the letters N (for nuclear) and D (for disarmament) and putting them in a circle. The symbol is essentially a logo for the concept of nuclear disarmament! Such graphic elegance.
I agree with Nancy’s comment in the last panel. Back in the 80’s, I worked in downtown Seattle when there were lots of construction projects going on to shore up older building fronts. Typically there’d be scaffolding with plywood used to protect pedestrians from any falling debris. The plywood would often be tagged by gangbangers and some of it was almost breathtaking in the use of colors and shaping. It still makes me a little sad to have seen God-given talent like that squandered on behalf of Crips or Bloods.
I don’t know if it was used in the Middle Ages by occultists, as JTC said, but I do know that it was used by one of Hitler’s panzer divisions. Also, from what I learned in school, it’s the symbol of the Antichrist: a broken cross (negating the Original Sacrifice), upside down (pointing to Hell), and in a circle (no Heaven, no Hell, no judgement nor reward, you just get recycled in the next reincarnation).
i_am_the_jam over 7 years ago
Unless you know a hidden/original meaning of it…
mikatt1 over 7 years ago
It’s all ugly!
upanddown17 over 7 years ago
According to Jack Chick, the peace sign is a satanic symbol. Just saying.
linsonl over 7 years ago
Back in the day, we called it “The footprint of the American chicken.”
atomicdog over 7 years ago
Back in the day, it was the layout of Hulkbuster Base.
carlosrivers over 7 years ago
well, if we have to look passed what the confederate flag is supposed to mean, we should look passed this, too…
Calvinist1966 over 7 years ago
The sign represents a broken cross. This is not a Satanic symbol but represents the Death of Man and is warning against nuclear war.
MJ Premium Member over 7 years ago
It was most recently used as the symbol for the phrase “Ban The Bomb” before being adapted as the symbol of peace. There are hundreds if not thousands of symbols and words that have original meanings lost to the years. No need to get upset over things that nearly all living persons are unaware of. The sentiment in this strip should be exactly as intended.
Ignatz Premium Member over 7 years ago
According to Jack Chick, EVERYTHING is a Satanic symbol. Jack Chick was a nutjob.
tom_wright over 7 years ago
Footprint of the American chicken.
Flatlander, purveyor of fine covfefe over 7 years ago
History lesson childrenRewind back to 1958 when London textile designer, Gerald Holtom, wanted to create a symbol for marchers to carry on banners and signs at a “Ban the Bomb” march planned by the Direct Action Committee Against Nuclear War (DAC). The event was Britain’s first major demonstration against nuclear weapons–a 52-mile march from London to the town of Aldermaston, home to an A-bomb research center.Nowadays we all know what the symbol stands for, but what is the meaning behind the design? Holtom created the symbol by combining the flag semaphore signals for the letters N (for nuclear) and D (for disarmament) and putting them in a circle. The symbol is essentially a logo for the concept of nuclear disarmament! Such graphic elegance.
Guilty Bystander over 7 years ago
I agree with Nancy’s comment in the last panel. Back in the 80’s, I worked in downtown Seattle when there were lots of construction projects going on to shore up older building fronts. Typically there’d be scaffolding with plywood used to protect pedestrians from any falling debris. The plywood would often be tagged by gangbangers and some of it was almost breathtaking in the use of colors and shaping. It still makes me a little sad to have seen God-given talent like that squandered on behalf of Crips or Bloods.
JanLC over 7 years ago
I didn’t know about the semaphore signals, so I looked them up. That is totally cool!
i_am_the_jam over 7 years ago
I don’t know if it was used in the Middle Ages by occultists, as JTC said, but I do know that it was used by one of Hitler’s panzer divisions. Also, from what I learned in school, it’s the symbol of the Antichrist: a broken cross (negating the Original Sacrifice), upside down (pointing to Hell), and in a circle (no Heaven, no Hell, no judgement nor reward, you just get recycled in the next reincarnation).
g.iangoodson over 7 years ago
It is based on semaphore. I once asked someone for the evidence that it was a “satanic broken cross”. I’m still waiting.
atomicdog almost 5 years ago
I like the Punisher symbol in the first panel.