Peace Sign
Peace Sign Tattoos: Their Meaning In A Modern World
Arising in the 1960s the peace sign symbolized passivity, world peace in general, a peaceful outlook and more specifically peace in Vietnam. As more and more people have chosen to show their leanings with tattoos, today’s peace sign tattoos stand for much more.
You will be hard pressed to find a symbol more recognized than the peace symbol. It was designed on February 21, 1958, by Gerald Holtom, who was an artist in Britain. It was first used for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). Many do not know that he used naval semaphores as the basis for his design. (The semaphore is a signaling system where flags are held in each hand in different positions. Each position of the arms and hands indicate a different letter or number. The two letters N for Nuclear and D for Disarmament were used in the symbol to represent peace. The N is formed by holding two flags down in an upside down V, and the letter D is formed by holding one flag pointed straight up and the other pointed straight down. It was first used in 1958 during a Easter weekend anti-nuclear march.
A peace symbol tattoo can stand for many things including serenity, harmony, tranquility, freedom, non-violence, silence, calmness, hope, victory, pacifism, respect, justice and goodwill. For some it represents art. For others it is simply another popular tattoo choice, like cross tattoos or star tattoos. As such artful designs they may not mean anything on a grander scale to most. Like heart tattoos that say Mom and the like, they can merely be iconic tattoos for those who only want to get inked.
But for others, in fact, for most, their tattoo designs are very personal.
Peace sign tattoos have a broader scope of typical meanings than the peace sign jewelry, clothing and necklace designs so frequently marketed by the man (corporate America).
Though we don’t tend to acknowledge our troops as we did in WWI and WWII, our young men and women are still serving in the armed forces overseas. Tattoos are a way for them to announce their views in a more permanent fashion, either commemorating those who died in service, or their desire for peaceful times and to be home.
The GLBT community are partial to rainbow peace sign designs. Presumably because it symbolizes peace for their community.
For others it represents, oddly enough, a rebellion of sorts, and as such, the opposite of peace. Those who still espouse the drug scene, the rebellious music popularized in the 60s and the counter culture mentality.
It can stand for peace with oneself or with one’s family, as well as larger organizations; all derivations on the original hippie meaning.
Peace signs can be found most anywhere on the body. Some of the most popular include peace sign tattoos on feet, arms, shoulders and the hip. For some reason foot tattoos are very popular. I suppose it is because the peace symbols fit so well near or on the ankle.
If you are looking for unique tattoo ideas for peace tattoos you can look at celebrity designs, pictures in magazines, Myspace layouts or pics in search engines or at Miami Ink, a popular tattoo parlor.
About the Author
Jacob Simon writes about peace sign tattoos, boho clothes frequently on his site. He enjoys all kinds of hippie stuff including alternative energy, gaming, gardening, crochet, quilting and emergency preparedness. Visit he and his wife’s site to learn more.
Gym Class Heroes: Peace Sign / Index Down [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
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