The Peace Symbol Is Semaphore for N and D
Peace is the absence of conflict. The familiar peace symbol was designed in 1958 from the flag signals for nuclear disarmament.
Peace is freedom from war or disturbance. The circular peace symbol has a precise design logic: Gerald Holtom drew it in 1958 for the British nuclear disarmament movement by superimposing the semaphore flag positions for the letters N and D, for nuclear disarmament, inside a circle. He deliberately placed it in the public domain rather than trademarking it. The Latin *pax* also gives *pacify*, *appease* and *pact*, all resting on the idea of an agreement that ends conflict.
- Absence of conflict. *A lasting peace.*
- Calm. *Peace and quiet.*
- Peaceful — free of disturbance. *A peaceful morning.*
- Pacify — to calm. *Pacify the crowd.*
- Latin — *pax*, peace. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | peace | Lasting peace. |
| Adjective | peaceful | A peaceful scene. |
| Verb | pacify | Pacify them. |
| Noun | pacifist | A pacifist. |
| Latin | pax | Peace. |
- The treaty brought peace.Politics.
- Holtom designed the symbol in 1958.Design.
- Pax also gives pact and pacify.Etymology.
The pax family
- Peace — through Old French from Latin *pax*
- Pact — an agreement that settles a dispute
- Pacify — to make peaceful
- Appease — to bring to peace, now often with a negative sense
- Pay — from *pacare*, to satisfy a creditor and so make peace
Old French *pais*, from Latin *pax*, peace, from a root meaning to fasten or agree.
What does the peace symbol represent?
The semaphore flag positions for N and D, standing for nuclear disarmament, drawn inside a circle by Gerald Holtom in 1958.
Are peace and pay related?
Yes. Pay comes from Latin pacare, to satisfy or pacify a creditor, from the same root as peace.