On your note sheet, write: What you think the symbol is Where it came from What you think it means
Originated in the 1960s for anti-war. First seen in the Western society (for sure) after WW2 as a sign of victory for war. Potentially used during the Hundred Year’s war, but this isn’t proven… yet.
We began using it in the late 1950s for nuclear disarmament. They tried to invert the peace sign so it looks joyous. Originally, It was the inverted cross, a holy symbol in Christianity for the apostle Peter who was hung on the cross upside down. Ironically, a group of anti-Christians use it to show everything opposite to Christianity… I wonder if they know they are using a very respected symbol to show opposition?
Later became a Christian symbol of devil worship (though this meaning has also flip- flopped over the years too). Originally, we are not 100% of its meaning because of the changing of use throughout the centuries. It is one of the oldest symbols and common uses in the past were: symbolism of the body, the 5 elements, and deity worship.
To Westerners of the modern age, it is a symbol of hate, racism, and mass murder. To Easterners and pre- modern Westerners, it is a symbol of love and power. Buddhists also use it as a sign of life and power for the Buddha and the Dali Lama (in Tibet at least)
This is a tricky symbol whose use of the centuries continue to change. Early uses were for worship of water deities. It became a symbol of evil during Middle Ages and a representation of the devil. Later uses vary on the society.
It is a Celtic Symbol of religion. It stood for Father, Son, and Holy Spirit It may have origins with the Norse Gods and Goddesses as well and their power over the ancient community, but that is still being explored.
Modern symbol of medicine. Ancient Symbol of Hermes god of roads, travelers, thieves, heraldry, and language. Healing was technically Apollo’s job along with a few of Greek deities. True symbol of healing to the Greeks, it is also used in modern times.
It has many meanings (and looks). It was the unity of the 4 directions, symbol of the cross Jesus was put on, and also crossroads. Over the years there has also been many variations of the cross. Sun Cross Eastern Christianity Patriarch Cross Iron Cross
We see it as a symbol of love. It used to be a symbol of the soul. (as early as 10,000 BCE) It was not until the early 1000s that love became its meaning, but not for others… only for Christ. It is rumored to also be the symbol for women and a woman’s anatomy… that has not been proven.