How did the pacificus — an international symbol of peace and the anti-war movement - appear

The pacificus symbol, which looks like a bird's foot in a circle, is known to everyone. It symbolizes peace, disarmament and the anti-war movement. There are many versions of the appearance of this sign. But this is not a trace of a pigeon's foot, nor a Scandinavian rune, nor even a crossed-out rocket. The origin of Pacifica has a long and interesting history that began shortly after the Second World War.

The symbol of peace did not appear out of nowhere — it has a recognized author. This is the British designer Gerald Holtom (1914-1985), who once decided to create an emblem of the anti-war movement. Pacificus was developed specifically for the British Movement for Nuclear Disarmament CND (Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament). Work on the project was completed on February 21, 1958.

The symbol was to be carried on clothes and banners by participants of the 50-kilometer peace march. The action started from Trafalgar Square in London and finished at the gates of the Nuclear Weapons Research Center (AWRE) in Aldermaston, Berkshire. Thousands of people of different ages from the UK and other countries participated in the march. According to Holtom, the symbol was supposed to strengthen the message of the demonstrators to those who are working on a deadly weapon for the whole world.

At first, the designer had the idea to use a Christian cross by placing it in a circle. He turned to several priests for advice. But they did not approve of the use of the symbol of faith at protest actions. Therefore, Gerald Holtom decided to look for other symbols that could have a hidden meaning.

His attention was attracted by the semaphore alphabet used in the navy. Holtom borrowed two signs — N (Nuclear — "nuclear") and D (Disarmament — "disarmament"). The designer combined them and placed them in a circle symbolizing our planet. Later, the author described the creative process in detail in one of the letters to the publication Peace News:

Holtom's idea turned out to be very successful. Pacificus not only became a symbol of the 1958 Peace March. It has become an international symbol of peace and the movement of humanity into the future. It was used by demonstrators at rallies against the Vietnam War, hippies fell in love with it, and a little later environmental activists began to use it. Now pacificus is one of the most recognizable symbols in the world.

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