The watered down Peace symbol

Hello everyone!

Yes we are at a time of war and should still promote peace. However, I personally feel the peace sign has become just another marketing trend / fashion icon. If I go to the mall, or just about anywhere, I see it on shirts, bags, etc, anything you can buy has peace on it and I feel this over consumer marketing has diluted its meaning (especially coming from corporations who has children overseas making it for a penny a day.)
While I cant speak for older generations, I would guess the peace sign had more significance back in the day.

I realize this is the world today, but what is everyone's opinion?

(sorry if this has been discussed already, thank you)

 

Yea, the peace sign was a new thing in the 60s, so it's birth symbolized the birth the 60s generation. And I agree with you, the commercialization of the peace symbol has destroyed its spirit.

The new generation ought to have a new sign invented for its own, one that is unique and gets the message across that you want peace and love. Similar to the old peace symbol, a new one needs to be careful to not step on any toes and to not be offensive to anyone.

Instead of the dove footprint in a circle like the peace symbol, why not look for something that better symbolizes the current world events. It would do my heart good to see a new generation of hippies with their own personal symbol that has a special meaning only to their generation.

 

SInce I've got it on my mind right now, here's a quote: "A building is a symbol, as is the act of destroying it. Symbols are given power by people. A symbol, in and of itself is powerless, but with enough people behind it, blowing up a building can change the world."

I don't believe that any symbol can lose it's meaning. It will always have the meaning it was originally meant to have regardless of the power it has (peace symbol perhaps) or alternate meanings that become attached to it (swastika).

But power of a symbol really is where the importance lies. For example, a picture of the pope is considered a picture of a pope to most people. The photo is not in itself a symbol, however, when Sinead O'Connor ripped a photo of the pope up on television, that act of ripping it, was a symbol in my mind. It was a symbol for justice against an organization (the Church) that by many, could never be considered unjust, for it is an organization of "God".

People give power to symbols. I could show you the picture of a star and crescent moon and it might mean nothing. To a Muslim, it is a symbol that represents their faith, a huge part of their life, and through that, the symbol of the crescent is very powerful in certain parts of the world, to a point where a certain organization has its name and logo switched when working in said parts.

And I kinda forgot what my point was....but you can find your own symbol for peace and give it power, spread the idea.

 

I got a tattoo of a rainbowed peace sign with the word Peace above it in purple. I don't consider it a worn out symbol, but the continuing presence of the idea we generated all those years ago. (This is the 40th anniversary of the Summer of Love.)

 

That sounds really cool...You should post a pic of it somewhere and show it off

 

I think a symbol is not that important. And just because some companies use it for their own purpose doesn't mean it lost its meaning.

 

no matter what the 'new symbol' will be. it will be over exposed and exploited in the corporate markets. even the anarchy A and communist hammer and sickle have been put on clothing and accessories made by big corps.

theres no avoiding the capitalist money mongers.

 

Although something that stands for peace should never loose its meaning, I can see the dissapointment that comes from commercialism and its never-ending quest to commercialize everything (including the sacred symbol of our hippy co-founders). I seriously think people should protest the over-use and mis-use of the symbol. Peace is something that cannot be commercialized for profit; those who truly grasp the meaning of the peace symbol should stand up for it and mock those who mock its existence.

 

i agree that a symbol never really loses its meaning, it always means something to someone who remembers "back when" but we should have a new symbol; it just defines a new age or new time in going to the same goal.

 

It hasn't lost it's meaning to people who truly believe in peace, and understand what peace should be.
But I do agree, it has been commercialized.

 

off topic i know, but one of the most powerful symbols the world has seen, the Fascesn hasnt really been commercialized much...

 

Sorr, the what?

Google turned up nothing but this thread....

 

i agree.
at my high school i find so many people wear 'peace' necklaces (and ear rings too) yet laugh at me for being a hippie and ask me 'why i would want to be a hippie'
i ask them 'why are you wearing that peace symbol around your neck?'


i find it's the same with 'religious' symbols like, the cross.
so many people where it.. yet, things they come out of their mouth or their body language is the opposite to what the symbol represents.

... *shrugs shoulders*

LOVE! : )

 

you are a wise funny person, ...duck duck goose....love it.

When you see a peace sign, what does it mean to you? I find it rather a tribute to us from the 60's. Fashion or not, trend or not, commercially abused, or not, it is here and when you look at it, you take on the meaning by how you concieve it. Let all else fall to the wayside. It IS the peace sign.

 

Anything that is different at the time becomes popular. The peace symbol stood for peace, free thinkers and social rebels in the 60's. Then corporate America gets it's hands on it and it becomes commercial. Those that wear any symbol just because it is trendy and cool, just don't get it. Why does the present generation have to have it's own symbol? Aren't we all in this together? Do we really have to be separated? Hey a hippy is a hippy is a hippy. I'm a child of the 60's, but I welcome anyone, no matter age, race or religion who has the same desires to be free as I do.

 

sry thought i would clarify i meant to say Fasces. Its a symbol of Fascism that was used by the Romans and even considered by hitler for the nazi regime. Its basically a bundle of sticks wrapped around an axe the shows that many small actions together can stop a large force. Its idea is that its harder to break a bundle of sticks together than to break a single powerful stick. I just thought i would clarify that.

Note: yes it does represent Republic ( but the romans didn't really dig free love...)

 

I hate those "gangsta" people who flash peace signs side ways... Do it right and with meaning or not at all.

 

I totally agree with you! People are only just flashing the Peace Sign because it "looks good". No one really appreciates the peace sign and its important meaning to us all. I see people at school that just wear it without that slightest comrehension for its amazing meaning. Whenever I try to express my feeling for this people just dont even listen! Thank You!

 

I spoke out against the exploitation of the peace sign in my school (where it's very popular), but no one listened...

Peace signs covered in diamonds crafted my sweatshop children in third world countries!?
I saw a girl with a peace sign on her shirt literally clobber the shit out of another in my school... That, is not peace.

Peace.

 

i think its great that such a powerful symbol is so popular. Peace is something that is needed in mainstream.