Banners and high wind.

A few weeks ago, Sister Denise asked me to create a display of peace symbols from around the world, to hang around the Centre on big pretty banners. Yesterday the weather was kind to us, holding back the monstrous winds for a few hours and allowing us to finally put up the posters.

My interest in esoteric spirituality and symbolism went wild while looking for pictures, which represent a wide range of cultures and belief systems, of course all with the common theme of peace and harmony. Unfortunately I am no graphic designer, so the pretty layouts you see below are courtesy of Tess, another volunteer here who saved my life (thank you!). I am also no photograper, so the pictures below could be a lot better.

There's a recurring bird theme in the display, as it seems that most cultures like to use the animal as a peace symbol.

In Burma, the white elephant is seen as an embodiment of strength and love, a powerful combination.

This is one of my favourites. The Hebrew letters for 'Yahweh' can be arranged into the figure of a person. It's a profound reminder that we are made with love to do His will.

Each one of these animals has part of its enemy on its body, which serves as a symbol of living 'as one' with each other.

A show of my love for Alex Grey here! This represents awakened senses, and how they are designed to work together for the good of humanity.

Sadako Sasaki was a 10-year old survivor of Hiroshima, who promised to make 1000 paper cranes and give them to little chidren. She finished them all a week before she died of leukaemia. Written on the dove is 'Shalom", the Hebrew word for 'peace'.

The phoenix is a symbol of infinity. It dies in its own fire, but rises from its own ashes. I think this concept is a fitting one to describe the slow awakening of Cambodia from the ashes of the past.

There you go!