What is peace? How does the word peace derived?
After I had a small research about peace; I am truly amazed and have finally came to realised that the definition and the origin of the word peace has various interpretation and sources that can vary within religion, culture or studies. And what I have found out is that ‘peace’ exists in all level of existence in life starting from the intrapersonal (psychological, spiritual, etc.) to the global (political, sociological, environmental). ‘Peace’ is definitely a complex concept since of its different perception of sources. Wherein the modern era, we use the word peace and symbol in just a simple of meaning that we just want and love ‘a no violence or conflict in life; just pure happiness’. Where the truth is people has been studying peace and found out lots of concepts, history and meaning to it. Well, however God bless peace!
Let’s start from the word PEACE.
It was originated from the Latin ‘pax’, meaning “a pact or settlement to deter or end hostilities.” This meaning arises primarily in historical, political, and military contexts, which appear to be closely related. (John Whiteclay Chambers II. "Peace." The Oxford Companion to American Military History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 27 Apr. 2010.). In which means the definition of peace in this concept means ‘the absences of war or no war’.
And with the equally valid definitions of pax—and with pacific (from the Latin pacifico and pacificus, and the French pacifique)—we see a different face of peace altogether: one involving reaching agreement by negotiation (as opposed to the use of force); mediation; reconciliation; amity; calm; tranquility; or order—even “rejecting force as a means of achieving policy objectives.” (John Whiteclay Chambers II. "Peace." The Oxford Companion to American Military History. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 27 Apr. 2010.)
Therefore; from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace explains, the Anglo-Norman pas , and meaning "freedom from civil disorder", the English word came into use in various personal greetings from c.1300 as a translation of the biblical terms pax (from the Vulgate) and Greek eirene, which in turn were renderings of the Hebrew shalom. Shalom, cognate with the Arabic "salaam", has multiple meanings: safety, welfare, prosperity, security, fortune, friendliness. The personalized meaning is reflected in a nonviolent lifestyle, which also describes a relationship between any people characterized by respect, justice and goodwill. This latter understanding of peace can also pertain to an individual's sense of himself or herself, as to be "at peace" with one's own mind attested in Europe from c.1200. The early English term is also used in the sense of "quiet", reflecting a calm, serene, and meditative approach to the family or group relationships that avoids quarreling and seeks tranquility — an absence of disturbance or agitation. peace can make the world feel like a home and a shamadong lupa which makes the world better.
Here are more resources about the ‘peace’ word origin from ("peace." Online Etymology Dictionary. Douglas Harper, Historian. 27 Apr. 2010. .):
1140, "freedom from civil disorder," from Anglo-Norm. pes, from O.Fr. pais (11c., Fr. paix), from L. pacem (nom. pax) "treaty of peace, tranquility, absence of war" (cf. Prov. patz, Sp. paz, It.pace), from PIE *pak- "fasten," related to pacisci "to covenant or agree" (see pact). Replaced O.E. frið, also sibb, which also meant "happiness." Modern spelling is 1500s, reflecting vowel shift. Sense in peace of mind is from c.1200. Used in various greetings from c.1300, from Biblical L. pax, Gk. eirene, which were used by translators to render Heb. shalom, properly "safety, welfare, prosperity." Sense of "quiet" is attested by 1300; meaning "absence or cessation of war or hostility" is attested from c.1300. As a type of hybrid tea rose (developed 1939 in France by Francois Meilland), so called from 1944. Native American peace pipe is first recorded 1760. Peacemaker is from 1436. Phrase peace with honor first recorded 1607 (in "Coriolanus"). The Peace Corps was set up March 1, 1962. Peacenik is from 1965 (for suffix, see beatnik); an earlier equivalent was peacemonger (1808).
How interesting and complex isn’t it?
To make it simpler, let’s see the meaning of peace in this modern era that all people around the world use in general nowadays, which is more into, (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace) Peace is a state of balance and understanding in yourself and between others, where respect is gained by the acceptance of differences, tolerance persists, conflicts are resolved through dialog, people's rights are respected and their voices are heard, and everyone is at their highest point of serenity without social tension.
Let me conclude that, wherever you are, where you live, or who you are all around the world may peace be with you as that means live your life happy, full of love, no war and we individually are in the state of calm, tranquility, quiet, confident, and prosperity.
In the modern era, people usually communicate peace by using symbols and signs. And the most popular one is the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament symbol and the V hand signal. Don’t you know that Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament symbol is the symbol that we always use in communication?
Yes! This is absolutely the symbol that we always use in our daily life and here goes the history about it:
The anti-nuclear emblem or the peace sign is one of the most widely known symbols in the world. It was invented on the request of lord bertrand russel, head of the british ‘campaign for nuclear disarmament’ or CDN and sponsor of mass marches and sit-downsin london. the graphic symbol was designed bygerald holtom, a member of the CND movement,as the badge of the ’direct action committee against nuclear war’, for the first demonstration against aldermaston (a british research center for the development of nuclear weapons) in 1958. holtom, a professional designer and a graduate of the london royal college of arts, had originally considered using the christian cross symbol within a circle as the motif for the march, but various priests he had approached with the suggestion were not happy at the idea of using the cross on a protest march. (http://www.designboom.com/contemporary/peace.html)
and other source:
The internationally recognized symbol for peace was originally designed for the British nuclear disarmament movement.[1] It was designed and completed on 21 February 1958 by Gerald Holtom, a professional designer and artist in Britain for the 4 April march planned by the Direct Action Committee Against Nuclear War (DAC) from Trafalgar Square, London to the Atomic Weapons Research Establishment at Aldermaston in England.[1][2] The symbol was later adopted by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND). It was adopted by first the 1960s anti-war movement, then the counterculture, and finally the popular culture of the time.( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_symbols)
The very popular V hand sign history is also very interesting to know:
THE HAND-GESTURE PEACE SIGN
is thought to have begun in europe during world war II when a V for victory - and not to be confused with the catholic gesture of benediction - was painted on walls as a symbol of freedom from occupying forces. The sign was widely used by peace movements in the 1960s and 1970s as a symbol of victory for peace and truth. (http://www.designboom.com/contemporary/peace.html)
And
The "V-sign", also called the "the square","peace sign", "peace out" and the "victory sign," is a hand gesture with the index and middle fingers open and all others closed. It was used as a sign for victory during the Second World War by Winston Churchill, originally with palm inwards; Churchill switched to palm outwards later in the war, possibly because[citation needed] the insulting meaning of the palm inwards version had been explained to him.
Originally, in WWII, the "V" stood for victory, and thus a return to peace. The letter "V" also represents the number 5 in Roman Numerals. Both V and 5 were used as symbols of hope for British citizens and for partisan freedom fighters. The hope for victory was broadcast, in a sort of open code, on the radio as Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, particularly the opening notes, which coincientally reflect the Morse Code for the letter "V".
This developed into a peace sign during protests in the USA against the Vietnam War (and subsequent anti-war protests), and was adopted by the South and North Americans counterculture as a sign of peace. Because the hippies of the day often showed the sign while saying "Peace", it became known as the peace sign, the name still used today. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_symbols)
Despite the popular peace symbols above, the ancient one are also still being used nowadays especially the dove with the olive branch. Below is the history about it:
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In Judaism and Christianity an olive branch is a sign for peace. The Torah (The Old Testament)describes a story in which a dove was released byNoah after the Great Flood in order to find land. The dove came back carrying an olive branch in its beak, proof for Noah that the Great Flood had receded. (Book of Genesis 8:11).
In Greek tradition, olive branches represent peace.[11] The plant was considered sacred to the ancient goddess of wisdom and defensive warfare,Athena.[11]
Defeated Roman armies displayed olive branches as a white flag to indicate surrender.[12][13]
The motif can also represent "hope for peace" and even a peace offering from one man to another, as in the phrase "extend an olive branch".[13] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_symbols)
And from other sources from http://www.greatseal.com/peace/dove.html:
The dove and the olive first appeared together in the biblical story of the Noah and the Ark. But how did this symbolize "peace"? If you'd been on that Ark for nearly a year, and then saw the dove return with an olive leaf, would "peace" be the first word that comes to mind?
In this case, "peace" must have a deeper meaning that includes profound emotions such a sight would trigger – forgiveness, gratitude, hope, love – not simply the absence of war (unless you felt at war with God or nature's God).
The actual symbol of peace is the olive leaf, not the dove, which brought the leaf back to Noah. Perhaps this is the origin of offering an olive branch to signify peaceful intentions, like in The Aeneid, Virgil's epic poem about the founding of Rome.
The olive branch is a dynamic symbol of the human desire for peace, as shown in political drawings before the American Revolution.
Here are other symbols and signs of Peace:
this rainbow flag originated in italy and is
emblazoned in bold with the italian word PACE,
meaning ‘peace’.
it became popular with the ‘pace da tutti i balconi’ /
peace from every balcony campaign in 2002,
started as a protest against the impending war in iraq.
‘peace from every balcony’ is an effort to get people
to show their opposition to war in general and
specifically italian partecipation in the US military
campaign against iraq.
A peace sign in Hebrew, Arabic, and English
"Shalom" in blue"Salaam" in green"Peace" in orange
Islamic Characters for Peace, PEACE = SALAAM, Mohammed:"From Koran: Peace be upon him".
Chinese character for peace Japanese Character for peace (http://www.planetpals.com/peacesymbols.html)
Now, here is the various language of Peace:
Language Country Word for peace
| Word for "Peace" | ||
| Abkhaz | Caucasus | send it to us! |
| Avestan | Iran (extinct) | (Aøxsÿti) |
| Afar | Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti | Salaamata |
| Abenaki | Native American | Okikiamgenoka or Kamignokawôgan |
| Afrikaans | South Africa | Vrede |
| Akan | Ghana | Asomdwoe |
| Akkadian | Mesopotamia | Salmu |
| Alabama | Native American | Utimokla |
| Albanian | Albania | Pake |
| Algonquin | Native American | Waki Qiwebis |
| Amharic | Ethiopia | Selam |
| Arabic | North Africa, Mideast, Central Asia, and liturgical | Salam |
| Aragonese | Spain | Patz |
| Aranes | Spain | Patz |
| Aramaic (Syriac, Assyrian) | Iraq, Iran, Syria, and liturgical | shlamaa |
| Armenian | Armenia | Khanaghutyun |
| Assamese | India, Bangladesh, Bhutan | send it to us! |
| Asturian | Spain | Paz |
| Azerbaijani (Azeri) | Azerbaijan | Salh |
| Avar | Caucasus | send it to us! |
| Aymara | Boliva/Native American | Hacana |
| Arawak | Suriname, Guyana, Venezuela | send it to us! |
| Batak | Indonesia | Pardamean |
| Bangi (Bobangi) | Congo | NyiEe |
| Bambara | Mali | Here |
| Bashkir | Volga, Urals, Central Asia | send it to us! |
| Basaa | Cameroon | SàN |
| Basque | Spain/France | Baké |
| Bavarian (Bayrisch) | Bavaria (Germany) | Fridn |
| Bemba | Zambia | Mutenden |
| Bihari | India | send it to us! |
| Bislama | Vanuatu | P’s |
| Belarusian | Belarus | send it to us! |
| Bengali | Bangladesh | Shanti |
| Bislama | Melanasia (Vanuatu) | Pís |
| Blackfoot | Native American | Innaaissttiiya |
| Bosnian | Bosnia | Spokoj |
| Bulgarian | Bulgraia | Mir |
| Buli | Ghana | Goom-jigi |
| Burmese | Burma (Myanmar) | Nyeinjanyei |
| Carolinian | Micronesia | Gunnammwey |
| Catalan | Spain | Pau |
| Chamorro | Guam | Minaggen |
| Cebuano | Philippines | Kalinaw, Kahusayan |
| Chechen | Chechnya (Caucasus) | send it to us! |
| Cherokee (Tsalagi) | Native American | Dohiyi |
| Cheyenne | North America | Nanomonset™tse |
| Chewa | Malawi | M’tendere |
| Chicksaw | Native American | Nanna Ayya |
| Chinese (Manadarin) | China | He Ping |
| Choctaw | Native American | Achukma |
| Ch'ol (Tumbalá) | Chiapas (Mexico) | ch'chocoya |
| Chontal | Mexico/Native American | Aylobaha Gafuleya |
| Chuvash | Russia | send it to us! |
| Chuuk | Truk | Kunammwey |
| Corsican | Corsica (France) | Pace |
| Comanche | Native American | Tsumukikiatu |
| Cree | Native American | Wetaskiwin |
| Creole | Haiti | Lapé |
| Czech | Czech Republic | Mir |
| Danish | Denmark | Fred |
| Dari | Persian | Sulh |
| Darja | Algeria | esslama |
| Divehi (Maldivian) | Maldives | sulha |
| Duala | Australia | Musango |
| Dutch | Netherlands | Vrede |
| Dzongkha | Bhutan | gzhi-bde |
| Efik | Nigeria | Emem |
| Egyptian | Egypt | Hetep |
| Ekari | Indonesia | Muka-muka |
| English | Worldwide, USA,UK,Australia | Peace |
| Eskimo | Native American (Greenland) | Erkigsnek |
| Esperanto | Paco | |
| Estonian | Estonia | Rahu |
| Ewe | West Africa | utifafa |
| Fanagolo | South Africa | Kutula |
| Farsi | Iran | Ashtee |
| Faroese | Faroe Islands | Friur |
| Fijian | Fiji | Vakaçegu |
| Finnish | Finland, Sweden, Russia | Rauha |
| Fon | West Africa (Benin) | Fifa |
| French | France | Paix |
| Fula | Nigeria, Guinea, Mali | Jam |
| IRISH | Ireland | Sith |
| Garifuna | Honduras, Belize | Darangila |
| German | Germany | Friede |
| Ge'ez | Ethiopia, Eritrea (liturgical) | salaøm |
| Gikuyu | Kenya | Thayu |
| Greek | Greece | Irini |
| Guarani | Paraguay | Nerane’i |
| Gujarati | Indiq | Shanti |
| Halaka | Pegdub | |
| Hausa | Nigeria | Lumana |
| Hawaiian | Native American | Sipala |
| Hebrew | Israel | Shalom |
| Hindi | India | Shanti |
| Hiligaynon (Ilongo) | Philippines | Paghidait |
| Hiri Motu | Papua New Guinea | Taim billong, sikan |
| Hmong | China, Viet Nam, Laos, Thailand | Kev tiaj tus |
| Hopi | Native American | Sipala |
| Hungarian | Hungary | Béke |
| I–upiaq | Alaska | Ki–ui–ak, Tutqiun |
| Icelandic | Iceland | Friður ekki Frisur |
| Igbo | Nigeria | Udo |
| Ilocano | Philippines | Kappia |
| Ila | Zambia | Chibanda |
| Indonesian | Indonesia | Damai |
| Inuit | Native American | Tutkium |
| Irish | Ireland | Sióchain |
| Italian | Italy,Switzerland | Pace |
| Japanese | Japan | Heiwa |
| Javanese | Java | Rukun |
| Kannada | India | Shanti |
| Kekchi | Guatemala (Native American) | Tuktuquil usilal |
| Khmer | Cambodia, Thailand | Soksang |
| Kinyarwandu | Rwanda | Amahoro |
| Klingon | Space, the final frontier | Rój |
| Korean | Korea | Phyongh’wa |
| Kosati | Native American | Ilifayka |
| Kurdish | Iraq, Turkey | Hasiti |
| Kusaiean | Micronesia | Mihs |
| Lakota | Native American | Wolakota |
| Lao | Laos | Santiphap |
| Latin | Vatican | Pax |
| Latvian | Latvia | Miers |
| Lithuanian | Lithuania | Taika |
| Luganda | Uganda | Emirembe |
| Lojban | panpi | |
| Magindanain | Philippenes | Kali lintad |
| Mahican | Native American | Anachemowegan |
| Malagasy | Madagascar | Fandriampahalamana |
| Malay | Thailand | Keamana, aman " or "damai " |
| Maltese | Malta | Paci |
| Manobo | Philippenes | Linew |
| Maori | New Zealand | Rangima’aire |
| Mapundungun | Chile (Native American) | Uvchin |
| Maranao | Philippenes | Diakatra |
| Marshallese | Marshall Islands | Aenomman |
| Mayan | Native American | Ets’a’an Olal |
| Mentaiwan | Sumatra | Perdamiam |
| Micmac | Native American | Wôntônkóde |
| Miskito | Mexico (Native American) | Kupia Kumi Laka |
| Mokilese | Micronesia | Onpek |
| Mongolian | Mongolia | Enh Taiwain |
| Mongo-Nkundu | Zaire | Bóoto |
| Language | Country | Word for Peace |
| Mossi | Ghana, Burkina Faso | Lâfí |
| Munsterian | Ireland/Gaelic dialect | Echnahcaton |
| Navajo | Natie American | K’é |
| Nepali | Nepal | Shanti |
| Nez Perce | Native American | ‘Eyewi |
| Nhengatu | Brazil/Native American | Tecócatú |
| Norwegian | Norway | Fred |
| Ntomba | Zaire | Nye |
| Nyanja | Malawi | Mtendere |
| Otchipwe | Native American | Bisaniwewin |
| Otomi | Mexico/Native American | Hmetho |
| Pali | India | Nirudho |
Papago/Pima Papiamentu | Native American Netherlands Antilles | Dodolimdag Pas |
| Pashto | Afghanistan, Pakistan | Amniat |
| Persian | Iran | Sula |
| Pilipino | Philippenes | Katahimikan |
| Pintupi | Autralia | Yatanpa |
| Polish | Poland | Pokoj |
| Ponapean | Micronesia | Melelilei |
| Portugese | Portugal, Brazil | Paz |
| Pustu | Afghanistan | Sula |
| Quechua | South American Andes | Qasikay |
| Rapanui | Easter Island | Kiba-kiba |
| Romanian | Romania | Pace |
| Romansch | Switzerland | Pasch |
| Ruanda | Rwanda | Nimuhore |
| Rundi | Burundi | Amahoro |
| Russian | Russia | Mire |
| Samoan | Samoa | Filemu |
| Serbian | Mir | |
| Scottish | Scotland | Fois |
| Sesotho | Lesotho | Khotso |
| Shona | Zimbabwe | Runyaro |
| Sinhala | Sri Lanka | Samaya |
| Sioux | Native American | Wo’okeyeh |
| Siswati | South Africa (Swaziland) | Kuthula |
| Slovak | Slovak Republic | Mier |
| Somali | Somalia | Nabad-da |
| Spanish | Spain | Paz |
| Swahili | Zaire, Kenya | Amani |
| Swedish | Sweden | Fred |
| Tagalog | Philippenes | Mabuhay , Kapayapaan |
| Tahitian | Tahiti | Hau |
| Tamil | India | Amaithi |
Tangut Telegu | China | Nei Shanti. |
| Thai | Thailand | Santiphap |
| Thiraro | M’bukushi | |
Tibetan Tiv | Tibet Nigeria | Sidi Tiv is Msughshima |
| Tlingit | Native American | Li-k’ei |
| Tongan | Tonga | Melino |
| Truk | Micronesia | Kunammwey |
| Tswana | Botswana | Khotso |
| Turkish | Turkey | Bar?? (Old Ottoman Turkish=Sulh ) |
| Uighur | China | Saq |
| Urdu | Pakistan | Aman |
| Vietnamese | Vietnam | Su Thai Binh |
| Welsh | Wales | Heddwich |
| Wintu | Native American | Mina |
| Woleaian | Micronesia | Gumund |
| Yiddish | Israel | Sholem |
| Yoruba | Nigeria | Alaafia |
| Yue | China | Sai Gaai Oh Ping |
| Zapotec | Mexico (Native America) | Layeni |
| Zulu | South Africa | Ukuthula |
After knowing all histories about peace, then it is important to know that there is actually an International Peace Day every year at Sept 21st.
The International Day of Peace was first established in 1981 by a resolution 36/67 of the United Nations General Assembly to coincide with its opening session every September.
In 2001 the resolution 55/282 was strengthened to make date September 21 the official date annually. It was voted unanimoiusly. International peace Day is meant to be a day of nonviolence and cease-fire.
Today, on International Peace Day there are many celebrations and peace marches to homor world peace in cities and countries worldwide.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan has asked all United Nations departments and agencies to expand their observance, extending a special invitation to civil society and highlighting the Minute of Silence at 12 noon. (http://www.planetpals.com/IKC/peaceday.html)
I am very happy that I have done my small yet very knowledgable research about PEACE. I hope by together we can help to make the world peace in showing that we truly and sincerely care about it. We can help making peace by just doing small things to remind our closest friend to always keep the peace, stay positive in mind, and just put out the best effort we could to create peace. It doesn't have to be by being involved in a campaign. But by making oneself peace first.
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