It still gives me the creeps, to be honest.Although a myth, well, let’s not dignify it with that noble term—although an urban legend, the origin of the “peace sign” with “Nero’s cross” upset me as a child and still has its hooks in me.I remember distinctly the Christian comic book that showed a “Christian hater” turning a cross upside-down and breaking it.The physics of it puzzled me even as a youngster—to break something like that you needed to have some kind of tension.Snapping two arms off a cross simultaneously must’ve required some kind of magic.In any case, it was a scary thought.Now I’ll be the first person to admit that I need more time to study the symbols here, but it seems that “Nero’s cross” was a myth—er, urban legend intended to demonize the peace sign.
The “peace sign” has a documented history going back to the 1950s.Gerald Holtom designed it based on the superimposed semaphore letters N and D which stood for “nuclear” and “disarmament.”This was part of the British Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, a cause that even then evangelical Christians did not support.Being hawkish, this aggressive, masculine belief system wanted no long-hairs wearing a sign that to them looked like an inverted, broken cross.Back in Nero’s day crucifixions were disturbingly common.I suspect many people would’ve been only too happy to see crosses broken and government behaving a bit kinder.Did they actually circulate a “Nero’s cross” as a hate sign for Christians?You have to wade hip-deep through Evangelical websites claiming so before you can get anywhere near a site that has actual history on it.Even then you’ll be left scratching your head.
Some liturgical vestments (sorry to talk shop) such as a chasuble, occasionally have a cross with “broken arms” on them.Back in the 1950s Evangelical cats hated Catholic dogs and even as a kid I heard rumors about how such symbols were “anti-Christian.”Were they inverted “Nero crosses?”Religious symbols have long, rich histories.We know that the “peace sign” first appeared in the 1950s to protest nuclear buildup.We know that Evangelicals prefer to sacrifice doves on the altar of “national security.”Might as well use some olive branches for kindling while you’re at it.Although I know the origins of the “peace sign,”I still always hesitate a moment before using it.Such is the power of early indoctrination.Even if it defies the laws of physics.
