From Greetings to Gratitude: Discover the Many Ways Travelers Embrace the Peace Sign on Their Journeys
Have you ever noticed that people around the world share a smile and peace sign at the same time? It’s like a friendly handshake, and it’s so universal, it seems that anywhere travelers go, there’s someone sharing this sign of peace. It makes you smile.
Hold up a camera, or take a phone-photo and peace sign fingers incoming! It’s like saying, “Oh Hey! Hi! I see you taking a photo of me, so <peace sign>.”
The peace sign, a symbol of peace and anti-war movements, has been adopted by many travelers worldwide. This simple hand gesture has multiple meanings and uses, including greeting people, showing solidarity, taking photos, or expressing happiness and gratitude.
Whether a cultural gesture or a universal symbol of hope, the peace sign has become a familiar sight in many travel destinations and has played a significant role in connecting travelers with local communities and causes.
The peace sign is a hand gesture that has been used as a way to say hello and symbol of peace including:
- As a symbol of peace: The peace sign is commonly associated with peace and anti-war movements, and travelers may use it to express their desire for peace and harmony.
- A “hello” to greet people: In some cultures, signing this is used as a greeting or a way to say hello. Travelers may adopt this gesture to connect with locals or show respect for local customs.
- To show solidarity: This sign of peace is often used to symbolize solidarity and support for various causes, such as human rights, environmentalism, or animal welfare. Travelers who share these values may use the sign to express their support for these causes.
- Take photos: It has become a famous pose for pictures, especially among younger travelers. It is often used as a fun and lighthearted way to capture memories of their travels.
- Express happiness or gratitude: The symbol can also be used as a way to express happiness, love and joy, or gratitude. Travelers may use it to show their appreciation for the beauty and wonder of the places they visit or express their gratitude towards the people they meet.
TIP: Some Middle Eastern countries: In some Middle Eastern countries, the peace sign may be interpreted as an offensive gesture. It’s best to avoid making this gesture in these regions and instead use a verbal greeting.
Did you know?
The peace sign was initially meant to symbolize despair, not hope. According to some accounts, Gerald Holtom, the designer of the symbol, was inspired by the posture of a man sitting in despair with his head in his hands.
Holtom was reportedly very pessimistic about the chances of achieving nuclear disarmament, and he saw the symbol as a representation of the urgent need to prevent a nuclear apocalypse. However, his sign quickly to
ok on a more positive and hopeful meaning as it was adopted by peace activists and anti-war movements worldwide.
This sign of peace is widely recognized as a symbol of peace, love, and non-violence, and it continues to inspire people to work towards a more peaceful and just world.
A little history:
The peace sign, also known as the CND symbol, was created in 1958 by a British graphic designer, Gerald Holtom. The Campaign commissioned the emblem for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) for a protest march against nuclear weapons in London.
The design features a circle with three lines inside, forming a stylized representation of a person with arms outstretched downward, resembling the semaphore letters N and D, which stand for “nuclear disarmament.”
The symbol quickly gained popularity and became a powerful emblem of peace and anti-war movements in the 1960s and beyond.
Travelers embraced it as a symbol of their values and beliefs, especially during the era of the hippie movement in the 1960s and 1970s. It became a familiar sight at music festivals, backpacker hostels, and other travel destinations as young people sought to connect and express their desire for peace, love, and freedom.
The sign of peace continues to be used by travelers worldwide as a way to connect with local communities, express solidarity with causes they care about, and capture memories of their journeys.
