On December 21st, Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Ethics Program Director, SARAH Advisory Council member and United Religions Initiative Global Council Trustee Rebecca Tobias presented the Roerich Banner of Peace to luminaries, visionaries, activists and, what some call modern-day-prophets at Birth 2012 in Los Angeles, CA. In her words, Rebecca explains the Banner, "This ancient universal symbol is one of the world's oldest. Its three spheres were designated by Nicholas Roerich, the designer of the banner, as the synthesis of all arts, all sciences, and all faiths within the circle of culture. Wherever the Banner is displayed, it recognizes the great achievement of the past, the present, and the future. It encourages the individual to strive to fulfill his or her highest potential, beautifying all aspects of life; it encourages each person to take responsibility for the evolution of the planet; it signifies the peace-builder; and it symbolizes the transformation of the individual and of society. It represents cooperation-the cornerstone of the emerging planetary culture-in all aspects of human activity.
Banner of Peace
Since time immemorial, warriors have carried banners into war. This is a banner of
peace.
This ancient universal symbol is one of the world's oldest. Its three spheres were
designated by Nicholas Roerich, the designer of the banner, as the synthesis of all
arts, all sciences, and all faiths within the circle of culture.
Wherever the Banner is displayed, it recognizes the great achievement of the past, the
present, and the future. It encourages the individual to strive to fulfill his or her
highest potential, beautifying all aspects of life; it encourages each person to take
responsibility for the evolution of the planet; it signifies the peace-builder; and it
symbolizes the transformation of the individual and of society. It represents
cooperation--the cornerstone of the emerging planetary culture--in all aspects of
human activity.
Nicholas Roerich was a world-renowned artist, philosopher, archaeologist, and
author. He created an international treaty, the Roerich Pact and Banner of Peace. It
provided that the Banner fly over all historic monuments and educational, artistic,
and scientific institutions to indicate special protection and respect in times of war
and of peace. It acknowledged that cultural treasures are of lasting value to all people
as the common heritage of humanity.
The Pact was introduced by Roerich in New York in 1929, and earned him a
nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize. On April 15, 1935, President Franklin D.
Roosevelt presided over ceremonies at the White House in Washington, DC, in which
twenty Latin American countries joined the U.S. in signing this historic document.
Nicholas Roerich said, "Positive creativeness is the fundamental quality of the
human spirit. Let us welcome all those who, surmounting personal difficulties ...
propel their spirits to the task of Peace-building, thus ensuring a radiant future."
"Where there is Peace, there is Culture;
Where there is Culture, there is Peace."
--NICHOLAS ROERICH (1874-1947)
Rebecca Tobias, Phillip Hellmich (Director of Peace-The Shift Network), Roya (of the Agape International Spiritual Center) and Sande Hart with the Roerich Banner of Peace on 12/21/12 at Birth 2012 Also receiving the Banner was Steve Dinan (The Shift Network) Rev. Michael B. Beckwith (The Agape), Sister Jenna (Brahma Kumari's Washington DC Director), Johnathan Human of UNIFY and James O'Dea (Decloration of Commitment to Indigenous Peoples 2012). The Banner has also been received in The Holy Land for UNIFY's A Global Call for Peace.
