Design Concept
The process of designing the symbol took 17 months. Hundreds of people were interviewed from over forty countries about peace symbolism. Information was gathered from some of the world’s top peace activists, experts in the field of sustainability, and people steeped in the philosophical and spiritual traditions of the East and West, Deep-Ecology, Feng Shui and The Ancient Wisdom Teachings. Without fail, all agreed we needed new visions, new stories, new dreams to move us forward. It was through this process of listening, thinking and dialoguing that the symbol emerged.
The Symbol was designed Co-creatively working with Nature*; therefore, the Symbol contains meanings beyond those that are immediately recognized. The circle represents wholeness, unity, balance, and dynamic equilibrium. This circle holds four sacred things required for life; Earth - green, Air - white, Fire - red (representing power/energy) and Water - black (from Eastern spiritual traditions). This wholeness and balance of the circle is grounded to the planet, Mother Earth - blue, through, by and with the fifth sacred thing, Spirit - yellow/gold (the diamond in many traditions represents core spirit, evolving consciousness, life-spark etc.).***
Esoterically, the ancient symbols that come together to form the Peace in Unity Symbol, the circle with the center point, the spiral cross** and the two triangles joined to form a diamond, represent the idea of the world server/world disciple (“A Treatise on Cosmic Fire”, 159-161, The Tibetan and A. A. Bailey, ISBN 0-85330-117-1).
*The Co-creative Processes used by the Peace in Unity Development Committee are those developed by The Perelandra Nature Research Center (see www.Perelandra-ltd.com, search for Workbooks/collaborating with Nature)
**The spiral cross will remain left handed, signaling the need for dismantling/deconstruction, until new economic and political systems are developed that will truly support International Peace in Unity. The changes are happening now that will enable the transformation to the right handed cross symbolizing foundation and synthesis.
***Lastly, but perhaps most importantly: The colors of the spiral cross are a fairly fixed part of the design, but the design team acknowledges that the position and relationship of these colors may change depending on the needs and traditions of the group using the symbol. It is also true that some groups may come up with different color combinations that will serve them and compliment the spirit of the form of the PiUS. In that case, we say give it a go, and share with us what you develop. Co-creation of the future is on-going!
