Gerald Holtom: Creator of the peace symbol

Gerald Holtom’s iconic peace symbol, created for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in 1958, became a global emblem for non-violent protest and anti-war movements.

The birth of a symbol

In 1958, British artist and designer Gerald Holtom created what would become one of the most enduring icons of the 20th century: the peace symbol. Commissioned for (CND), the symbol was first unveiled during a protest march from London to the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston. The event marked Britain’s growing grassroots resistance to nuclear weapons during the Cold War.

Holtom, a conscientious objector during World War II, based the design on the semaphore signals for the letters 'N' and 'D' — standing for 'Nuclear Disarmament'. In semaphore, the letter 'N' is represented by two flags angled downward at 45 degrees, and 'D' by one straight up and one straight down. Overlaying the two gave the now-familiar shape. He enclosed the symbol in a circle to complete the image. Though he initially considered adding a Christian cross, he ultimately decided on a more universal message, one he described as a man in despair, arms outstretched downward.

Adoption by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND)

The peace symbol became the official logo of the CND and was quickly embraced by protestors across the UK. Its simplicity and emotional resonance gave it power beyond words, and it appeared on banners, buttons, and leaflets throughout Britain’s anti-nuclear movement. The Aldermaston Marches of the late 1950s and early 1960s solidified the symbol's connection to civil resistance, as thousands of demonstrators, many of them young people, marched under its emblem.

The symbol's association with non-violence was central to its identity. The CND, while politically active, was firmly rooted in peaceful protest. Holtom’s design carried this message clearly: a call not just for disarmament, but for peace as a lived principle. Though the symbol was created for a specific campaign, its visual power and emotional clarity helped it transcend its original context.

From Britain to the world

During the 1960s, the peace symbol made its way across the Atlantic, becoming a prominent icon in the United States’ civil rights and anti-Vietnam War movements. American activists adopted the emblem, often unaware of its British origins, as a broader cry against violence, injustice, and war. It began to appear in marches, sit-ins, and rallies, etched onto clothing, badges, and placards.

What began as a call against nuclear armament became a universal sign of resistance to all forms of violence. It was used in protests against apartheid in South Africa, for women’s rights, and even in environmental campaigns. Its association with pacifism and solidarity gave it a flexibility that allowed diverse movements to claim it as their own.

A lasting legacy

Gerald Holtom died in 1985, but his contribution to visual activism endures. While he once expressed regret that his design was born of personal despair, it came to symbolize hope for millions around the world. The peace symbol remains instantly recognizable and continues to appear wherever people gather to speak out for justice and nonviolence.

Today, the peace symbol is more than just a historical artifact — it is a living emblem of resistance and compassion. Whether painted on a wall, pinned to a lapel, or carried in a march, it quietly yet powerfully affirms a shared human longing: to live without fear, in peace with one another.

Image(s) from www.oldskull.net