Speak Up Archive: A New Symbol for…

The latest ruckus regarding the removal of a Swastika found in Microsoft Office’s Bookshelf’s Symbol 7 has sparked various discussions once more [1, 2, 3] about the meaning of the Swastika. We could go on and on — and make it the point of this post — about the Swastika this and the Swastika that but that is not the point for this purpose (if you would like to discuss that go to one of the three discussions mentioned before). What I am slowly trying to get at is proposing a design challenge.

The Swastika has pretty much been ripped off of any good or positive meaning it has, rendering it useless as a symbol of goodness. What other positive symbols exist to express something (subjectively) good?

There is the Peace Sign. Originally for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. It was then appropriated by the — here loosely and unacademically defined — peaceful hippies around the ’60s. We see a lot of the peace symbol nowadays, so much that we’ve become impartial to it.

Another positive symbol is the Happy Face. Invented in 1963 by Harvey Ball and not by Forrest Gump when he stepped on a pile of mud, wiped his face with a yellow t-shirt and said “It happens… Shit” But the smiley face has, too, become ambiguos to anything but Instant Messaging. And come to think of it, that grin on its face is quite creepy.

What about the Yin Yang? It has great symbolism, I mean, who doesn’t want balance? Now adorns many arms in tattoo-form and perhaps has lost its original intention.

Finally the Ribbon. A symbol of support, unity, solidarity and understanding which, because of its infancy, is one of the strongest and most positive symbols today.

Maybe what we need is a new symbol or perhaps a set of symbols. To express gratitude, happiness, friendship, peace, unity… you know, good, positive thoughts. What would it be? Could we, as graphic designers, come up with the next symbol? Why the hell not? This could be a great example of the power of design, creating the next-generation symbol of…

This is where you come in and where the challenge lies. What is the symbol for? What does it look like? Should it have a color palette? Now, I know this all sounds a bit weird and cooky but it could be fun. So, here is the deal, try to come up with a symbol that embodies the qualities that some of the above do. You can be serious about it or you can have fun with it — I know it lends itself to some great visual commentary. In the words of the wise designer, Bradley Gutting, let’s just fucking do it. Then we’ll figure out what to do.

Think about it, work on it and when you have something post it in the comments window (please make images no wider than 350 pixels).

Thanks to Cheshire Dave for the initial idea.

I just got through the "1" link. Holy crapola, that's some heavyweight boxing going on over there.

I'll give this some more thought, but in the meantime, how about the circle? Unity, earthly, universal, infinite, perfect, (hugs!), uncopyrightable, un-co-optable, freely available, and representable by a keyboard character.

On Dec.18.2003 at 05:56 PM

Interesting idea, Armin.

I was raised Buddhist, so the Swastika shape will always have a different meaning for me. History reappropriated the symbol. But it doesn't really matter. The shape itself has less relevance than the enormous context that it represents. The Nazi's Swastika will never be confused with one in a Buddhist temple.

So it makes me wonder if a symbol of this significance can really be "made". The peace sign and AIDS ribbon are more about what they represent, rather than the specific shape of the symbol. Their shape is almost arbitrary -- the AIDS symbol could've been a heart, a pair of hands, or a red dove -- and it would still have the same significance. And as to the peace sign -- few people see a bird's talon, and even less know that it came from a Woodstock poster. It's the idea and the historical significance of the times that embedded the lexicon into mass consciousness, not the form of the symbol itself.

So while I find your call interesting -- I think it's superficial and unachievable. Symbols of this significance is born out of defined history, specific events of global significance, or an idealistic moment of humanity.

They are not simply "made" based on the general ideals that you've listed.

On Dec.18.2003 at 07:32 PM

> And as to the peace sign -- few people see a bird's talon, and even less know that it came from a Woodstock poster.

Tan I am no peace-sign historian or anything but the symbol did not come from the woodstock poster. Maybe, just maybe, it was then appropriated as the hippie-loving symbol. From the link I provided:

"It was designed in 1958 by Gerald Holtom, a professional designer and artist and a graduate of the Royal College of Arts. He showed his preliminary sketches to a small group of people in the Peace News office in North London and to the Direct Action Committee Against Nuclear War, one of several smaller organisations that came together to set up CND."

> The peace sign and AIDS ribbon are more about what they represent, rather than the specific shape of the symbol. Their shape is almost arbitrary -- the AIDS symbol could've been a heart, a pair of hands, or a red dove -- and it would still have the same significance.

I disagree. The shape is not arbitrary. A ribbon does not represent the same as a heart, no frickin' way. Somebody, somewhere, somehow decided to choose a ribbon over a heart. The way the ribbon is folded is, to me, what makes this symbol. But I do agree that what they represent is much bigger than the shape — it's just not irrelevant.

> So while I find your call interesting -- I think it's superficial and unachievable.

Superficial?

> Symbols of this significance is born out of defined history, specific events of global significance, or an idealistic moment of humanity.

Aren't these times significant enough? Like I've said many times I'm no historian or nuthin' like that, but change seems to be in the way, shouldn't/couldn't be there a symbol that represents the good that is to come (if it in fact comes, otherwise volcanoes will erupt and antarctica will melt).

C'mon Tan, just give it a shot.

PS. THE wife says hi gramps.

On Dec.18.2003 at 08:18 PM

> the symbol did not come from the woodstock poster

actually, I saw a documentary -- it may not have been the same artist as the poster, but it is tied to the poster. If Holtom's claim is true, then it's perhaps a case that the Woodstock poster (which came after it) and the peace movement of the Vietnam war revived Holtom's symbol to represent the ideals of that generation.

It's likely, considering the source and pattern of appropriation of the Nazi's Swastika.

But it's not that big of a deal -- not worth arguing over more.

> But I do agree that what they represent is much bigger than the shape — it's just not irrelevant.

I'm not suggesting that the AIDS ribbon is a poor symbol. I think it's very effective, and you're right, it's probably more original than a heart. But my point is that AIDS awareness drove the need for a symbol, not the other way around -- ie. the cause would not be served any less effectively if the symbol was a heart. It's the humanist ideals that gives relevance, not the literal form of the ribbon.

> Superficial?

I don't mean that disparagingly -- I'm not suggesting that your attempt isn't genuine. Your heart and enthusiasm is in the right place. I called it superficial, because without a significant, historic cause or ideal -- it will just be a symbol significant only to its maker.

(The symbol will fade to obscurity only to be rediscovered by CSA in 20 years and added to a stock book)

> Aren't these times significant enough?

Compared to generations past? No. We may not have achieved global peace, but let's not look or hope for things to equal AIDS or the Vietnam war. The current Iraq war and the war on terrorism may someday prove to define our time -- but let's not create a graphic and hope that it does.

> C'mon Tan, just give it a shot.

Sure, sure. I'll give anything a shot. I'm not raining on the attempt -- just questioning.

On Dec.18.2003 at 10:34 PM

Armin, this is a great idea and a huge challenge

these times are definitely significant enough. In fact I'm going to one up you and suggest that more than a symbol, an artistic movement needs to be started. We need to get out of this morasse of post modernism. We need an ethical commitment.

I realise the absurdity of this but I am also equally serious. From my point of view, change is in the fucking air. This years peace demonstrations on the 15th of February were unprecedented. Never, NEVER in the history of this little planet has there been anything like it, all around the world people stood up and said we want a better fucking world. It was beautiful in my eyes, and I wish more people would appreciate this.

Anyone interested in the idea of working on a real genuine movement, not with the delusional belief that it will actually happen, but allowing for the possibility, and at the very least as an investigation in praxis, PLEASE contact me.

I know this is crazy, but I'm in a crazy mood right now and the whisky has gone to my head. And I am still dead serious.

Tan, don't tear me apart unless you really have to :).

On Dec.19.2003 at 12:41 AM

>> And as to the peace sign -- few people see a bird's talon, and even less know that it came from a Woodstock poster.

> Tan I am no peace-sign historian or anything but the symbol did not come from the woodstock poster. Maybe, just maybe, it was then appropriated as the hippie-loving symbol. From the link I provided:

I know, i know, you are not historians. Me neither, but this is the story some christian told me, so i don't know if this is just the christian way to see this or if ... well if it's true. Anyway here it is:

What we know as the Peace symbol is actually much older than just half a century. It was already used back in times of the "Roman Reich" more than 2000 years ago. They branded Jews with the broken cross, quasi the wrecked symbol of christianity (which is now known as the peace symbol). It's about the same the Nazis did with the yellow star...

As for creating a new peace symbol (or a real one for once, hehe), why should such an important and apparently (luckily!) growing movement not have it's 'own' symbol?

Tan said:

Symbols of this significance is born out of defined history, specific events of global significance, or an idealistic moment of humanity.

Well then:

[X] events of global significance

[X] idealistic thaughts rising

[ ] someone who creates a symbol

On Dec.19.2003 at 05:57 AM

The entire Microsoft affair has certainly ignited a very large cross-blog debate on the viability of symbols. And Armin's post is further evidence that as symbol makers we have a huge responsibility. But as we all know a symbol is only as good or bad as what it represents, and over that we have little control. Anyway, for those who are interested in certain facts regarding the swastika and peace symbols (two that have obsessed me for quite a while), I offer the following:

About the swastika check out: The Swastika - Symbol Beyond Redemption? [Real Player or similar required].

About The Peace Symbol this is an excerpt from Design Literacy:

There was probably no more galvanizing nor polarizing emblem during the 1960s than the “Peace Symbol,” an upside-down, three-pronged, fork-like mark in a circle, which symbolized the anxiety and anger of the Vietnam era. Although the basic form had roots in antiquity, it was popularized during the period in the mid-1950s when H-bomb testing prevailed. The symbol was purportedly (re)designed in 1954 by an obscure English textile designer named Gerald Holtom for use by England’s Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). Yet some sources claim that the sign, also known as the “Peace Action Symbol,” was designed in 1958 for the British World Without War Council for use at the first annual Aldermaston Easter Peace Walk to promote world disarmament. It later debuted in the United States in 1962 in the cautionary science-fiction film about the tragic ill-effects of nuclear testing, The Day The Earth Caught Fire, and within a few years was adopted for use as an anti-war insignia.

The symbol is supposed to be a composite semaphore signal for the letters �N’ and �D’ which, of course, stands for “nuclear disarmament,” but its basic form also derives from an ancient runic symbol which casts some doubt on whether the ND rationale might have been an afterthought. According to an article in a 1969 issue of WIN (Workship in Non-Violence) magazine, sponsored by the War Resisters League (one of the 1960s foremost anti-Vietnam war activist groups), the Peace Sign derived from an initial iteration of a white circle on a black square. This was followed by various versions of Christian crosses drawn within the white sphere, which in turn evolved into the ND form. Referring to the Aldermaston march, Win asserts that for subsequent demonstrations an ND badge was “devised and made by Eric Austen,” whose researches into the origins of symbolism underscored that the basic fork-like symbol, or what he called the “gesture of despair” motif was associated throughout ancient history with the “death of man,” and the circle with the “unborn child.” The reason for calling the upside down fork a “gesture of despair,” derives from the story of St. Peter who was crucified upside down in 67 AD Rome on a cross designed by Emperor Nero, known thereafter as the “Nero Cross” or the “sign of the broken Jew.”

Few who wear the Peace Symbol as jewelry today are probably aware of its legacy as a once controversial emblem. Rather, it seems like a quaint artifact of the Sixties, not unlike psychedelic designs or bell bottoms. Currently, it is used as generic insignia for a variety of fashionable (if pseudo-) anti-establishment issues. But in truth the symbol is anything but generic and its origin is still rooted in controversy.

During the 1930s, decades prior to the nuclear disarmament and anti-Vietnam war movements, but on the precipice of fascist dominance in Europe, the symbol was first devised by the English philosopher and socialist Bertrand Russell as an attempt “to depict the universal convergence of peoples in an upward movement of cooperation.” During the late 1950s Russell was the chairman for the CND and present at numerous disarmament demonstrations and protests against English involvement in NATO, at the very time when the symbol was adopted as the CND emblem. It is therefore probable that Russell introduced the basic sign to the organization from which Holton created his final design.

Russell was a former member of the Fabien Society (a fellowship of English socialists), which prompted a right-wing journal, American Opinion, to link the Peace Symbol, like the anti-war movement in general, to a broad Communist conspiracy of world domination, “It is not at all surprising that the Communists would turn to Russell to design their �peace sign,” states a 1970 article in this journal, which continues: “A Marxist from his earliest youth, he greeted the Russian Revolution with the declaration: �The world is damnable. Lenin and Trotsky are the only bright spots...’” The journal further describes Russell as an active anti-Christian who was well aware that he had chosen an “anti-Christian design long associated with Satanism.” In fact, the basic form, which appears both right-side up and upside down as a character in pre-Christian alphabets, was afforded mystical properties and is in evidence in some pagan rituals. Rightside up I represents “man,” while upside down it is the fallen-man. Referred to in Rudolf Koch’s Book of Signs as “the Crow’s foot” or “witch’s foot” it was apparently adopted by Satanists during the Middle Ages.

The Nazis routinely adopted runic forms for their official iconography, such as the SS runes (the insignia of Hitler’s personal bodyguard). Indeed the Nazi iconography calls the “crow’s foot” todersune or death rune. Paradoxically, in a rightside-up position it was frequently used on death notices, gravestones of SS officers, and badges given to their widows. Not unlike the Swastika itself, the direction of this runic symbol has positive and negative implications. The downward version might be interpreted as death and infertility, while the upward version symbolized growth and fertility.

The meaning of signs and symbols are easily transformed into good and evil depending on how they are sanctioned and applied over time -- and who accepts said usage. Whatever Satanic associations the “crow’s foot” may of had (or still has), when Bertrand Russell “designed” this symbol he imbued it with more positive virtues of life and cooperation. Once adopted by the CND (and later by scores of other anti-war, ecology, civil rights, and peace and freedom groups) its meaning was forever changed to being a sign of protest in the service of humanity.

On Dec.19.2003 at 07:12 AM

Tan, cool.

Oh and please spare Kevin.

> I know this is crazy, but I'm in a crazy mood right now and the whisky has gone to my head. And I am still dead serious.

I don't know if I have mentioned this before, but it has come to my attention that a lot of people write here under the influence. Maybe we need a symbol for don't post if you are drunk, you might regret it tomorrow.

On Dec.19.2003 at 08:26 AM

A great challenge, I will need the holiday to think it through! I think the submissions belong in a gallery similar to the "word it"s rather than burried in comments so that the topic has a longer shelf life.

Speaking of appropriated symbols, the rainbow is now so closely associated with the gay community I believe it actually works in reverse and exagerates homophobic behavior.

Hmmm, let me back up a bit. It's not truly homophobic behaviour, but could be percieved as homophobic behavior. For example, as a designer, I will avoid using rainbow color paterns in most anything I do to avoid any confusion.

Another example would be people like Falwell/Robertson blaming the decline of western civilation on any thing that has the hint of a rainbow on it.

The nutty conspiricy theororist in me believes this may be one of many reasons Apple changed their logo to all white. Although they would never admit it.

It is also fascinating to see the rainbow colors applied as a pattern to silohetted graphic to represent a micro community. I recently saw a car window sticker in the shape of Texas with the rainbow colors applied.

Despite the mass adoption of the rainbow as a gay icon, from a id/branding perspective, I have never felt it is that great. It seems a more expressive icon could be designed (hmmm, is that a path to Armin's challenge?). I think the upside down pink triangle is more expressive than the rainbow. (I have assumed the triangle exclusive to the lesbian community, is that true? Excuse my ignorance, I need to brush up on my gay iconology)

Does anyone know a deeper history of the rainbow usage? I seem to remember it was originally used to represent unity of all races which makes more sense to me.

Oh, and just before anyone want's to misconstrue this post to be homophobic, guess again. Do you really believe there is any room for homophobes in the design community?

On Dec.19.2003 at 09:23 AM

> I think the submissions belong in a gallery similar to the "word it"s rather than burried in comments so that the topic has a longer shelf life.

Griff, if we manage to get together an interesing sampling of symbols it will definitely be made into a bigger deal. Perhaps we could even submit it to a few of ’em fancy design magazines.

On Dec.19.2003 at 09:35 AM

Griff: The pink triangle, in usage[1], is just an overall gay symbol, which funny(?) enough, will lead you to the Nazis again for its origin. The black triangle, however, is specifically a lesbian symbol with the same derivation, although you don't see it much, and its use in the camps was a bit wider in scope.

There were other colors, while we're at it.

I've yet to see a definitive story about the rainbow. I've heard it was originally a Save the Whales thing that got appropriated somehow, and also that beyond the obvious spectrum idea, it's also split nicely down the middle with three "boy" colors and three "girl" colors. Whatever Here's another story, which is actually plausible.

I see little reason for a rainbow pattern to be applied to anything other than maybe children's products(it's just gaudy), and if someone wants to read sexuality into that, they have other things they should worry about. I personally hate the thing, and the triangle, and all the other silly flags that've cropped up over time, so please feel free to try and design something that's tasteful and not [expletive] hot pink, because I can't be the only person sick of looking at the damn things. Then again, I've never been really big on the whole identifying with a community thing(quelle suprise!), so just tell me to shut if you want.

Don't even get me started on the flonqing ribbons, which have become such a cop out default symbol that there is now a color simultaneously representing colon cancer and water quality. Oh, and lace represents osteoporosis. That's just mean.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go crawl back under my rock and fume about stuff.

1. We'll skip the political crap about gay men tending to exclude lesbians, etc.

On Dec.19.2003 at 11:12 AM

Su - Wow, thanks for the info, the triangle history is fascinating. I had read much more meaning into the shape, color and inversion than what was originally intended. I'm begining to wonder if all icons are rooted in Nazi German history!

Your link to the silly flags cracked me up!

On Dec.19.2003 at 11:34 AM

> Tan, don't tear me apart unless you really have to :).

fear not, Kevin -- I'd never do that. (How did I ever get this undeserved reputation?)

I agree that the world is on the threshold of something great -- unprecedented peace. And your approach is more akin to what I have been suggesting -- a call to arms for "working on a real genuine movement, not with the delusional belief that it will actually happen, but allowing for the possibility" -- which is a beautiful way to put it.

First the significance, then the symbol. Right on, bro.

On Dec.19.2003 at 01:58 PM

So I just got back from a late movie. And something occured to me in the car that was related to this thread. I wanted to post before I forgot in the morning.

Is there a symbol that represents sustainability and ecologic responsibility? There's the recycle symbol, and a half dozen related logos like greenpeace, etc. Those are close, but not what I'm talking about. There's not a symbol that says it all for the granola crowd (at least none that I know of). Whales, Amazon forest, ozone erosion, nuclear mutation, bioengineering, all of the apocalyptic things that AIGA's Power of Design was bitching about.

Ironic that there was a logo for the conference, but not a unified symbol for the cause of the malaise.

That would be a good symbol to think about...or sleep on.

On Dec.22.2003 at 04:11 AM

Tan! The circle would be perfect for that, too.

I propose it for all peace, love, brown rice, whales, recycling, nature, organic, unity in the whole world.

On Dec.22.2003 at 11:26 AM

>Is there a symbol that represents sustainability and ecologic responsibility?

What's been missing from this thread is a specific design brief, and I think the sustainability motif should be it.

I've always liked the "recycle" symbol, but it is the least important of the trio "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle" and of course you can always posit "Refuse" as an added first edict.

So this is the challenge: an icon to represent REFUSE TO CONSUME. (Don't buy.) But how would you present this in a positive light, rather than being so negative? Making do with what you've got, what there is. I do not want what I haven't got.

On Dec.27.2003 at 05:30 PM

I thought about this whole thing during my vacation and I was stumped the majority of the time. Most of the symbols I "came up with" already meant or represented something else.

Maybe Nick is right, a brief would help, but now Tan's words resonate more and it does seem distant to create a symbol for the sake of creating it. This doesn't mean I'm letting this rest, I'm just thinking out loud here.

And strangely, Marian's die-hard circle proposal doesn't seem so far-fetched — but it is too easy.

Anyway, I have nothing so far.

On Dec.29.2003 at 03:21 PM

I think I have found a symbol that shows Unity, Peace, Love and Togetherness all in one symbol. I found it at the URL shown. - Check it out!!!
It has been long over due. Please let me know how you feel about it.

On Dec.27.2007 at 11:56 AM