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The Link to the Nicholas Roerich (1874-1947) Museum New York
THE BANNER OF PEACE
PAX CULTURA
"Where there is Peace, there is Culture;
Where there is Culture, there is Peace."
- Nicholas Roerich
The Banner of Peace is the official flag in use around the world by members of the Planet Art Network and World Thirteen Moon
Calendar Change Peace Movement. It is displayed at all events, gatherings, and centers which promote natural time and planetary
peace.
The Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace was designed by Russian artist and humanitarian, Nicholas Roerich (1874 - 1947) as a
response to the destruction of the first world war and the Russian Revolution.
It is an international treaty signed by India, the Baltic states, and 22 nations of the Americas including the United States.
The Roerich Peace Pact established an international agreement allowing any nation to protect its cultural or artistic heritage
with a symbolic banner, the Banner of Peace. Signed in 1935, this treaty is international law today.
Just as the Red Cross protects hospitals, the Banner of Peace was implemented to protect culture.
Written with the assistance of international experts and lawyers, the Banner of Peace was praised by many notable figures
during its signing including Albert Einstein, George Bernard Shaw, and H.G. Wells. The Pact states, "educational, artistic,
and scientific institutions... shall be protected and respected by the belligerents ... without any discrimination as to the
state allegiance of any particular institution or mission... these missions may display a distinctive flag (the Banner of
Peace).. which will entitle them to special protection and respect..." Thus any site of cultural activity around the world
can fly the Banner of Peace to declare itself neutral, independent of combatant forces, and protected by international treaty.
Nicholas Roerich was an artist and travelled extensively through Russia, India, Tibet, and the United States. He hoped by
using a symbol that represented all cultures no group would feel excluded from using it. The Banner would have not one but
several meanings, as Nicholas Roerich himself wrote:
"Let us be united - you will ask in what way?
You will agree with me: in the easiest way,
to create a common and sincere language.
Perhaps in Beauty and in Knowledge."
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THE BANNER OF PEACE
The distinctive Banner, shown to the right, is three red circles surrounded by a larger red circle on a white banner. The
banner is a deep red or magenta color to symbolize the color of our one blood, which is the same for all peoples. The top
circle represents spirituality and encompasses the truth of all religions, that we can all unite regardless of our distinct
beliefs. The two circles on the bottom represent art and science. The circle that surrounds the three spheres represents culture,
the unity of art, science, and spirituality.
Found in all cultures, the Banner of Peace is the perfect symbol to bring all peoples together in peace.
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