Peace Sign Jewelry: Retro 60’s and 70’s Decade Designs

I’m a child of the 1960’s. The peace sign, whose origin dates back a little over fifty years ago (1958), used to be a very controversial logo when worn on caps, T-shirts, rings, and necklaces. If you wore the peace sign, you were seen as a hippie, an agitator, or at least a well-meaning pacifist.

The peace sign, which was originally designed by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in London, was quickly co-opted by protesters of the Vietnam War, and just as quickly noticed by the mass media in America.

The design, which is nicknamed “chicken tracks”, is actually formed from semaphores for the letter “N” (nuclear), and one vertical semaphore dissecting the middle (semaphore “D” for disarmament).

After 50 years, the peace sign is a universal symbol, a world trademark nobody owns. Its presence today in fashion, though distinctive, is unlikely to provoke any comment or notice – much like the “flower power” logo or the “happy smiley face” sign of the 60’s-70’s.

Although still used in anti-war protests, the peace sign has been incorporated more recently into nostalgic jewelry designs.

 Jewelry that incorporates symbols from decades ago (the peace sign, the dove, the daisy, the smiley face) tends to look smashing with today’s clothing designs, many of which are throw-backs to the 60’s and 70’s.  The empire waist, the natural shoulder lines, the slim-profile pants, the dresses with their darts at the bustline and their tapering at the hipline – all are retro to my own era.  Like many fashion re-treads, the look is fresh and cheerful, especially when accessorized with retro jewelry.

If you’re looking for something authentic and stylish, peace sign jewelry will make your look. So go retro. Indulge yourself a little. Buy a gift for a new friend, an old hippie chic, or the fresh-faced teen in your life.