1. On your note sheet, write: What you think the symbol is Where it came from What you think it means

3.  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.

5.  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?

7.  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.

9.  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)

11.  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.

13.  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.

15.  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.

17.  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

19.  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.