The Peace Symbol ~ Celebrating International Peace Month

August is International Peace Month, and nothing signifies peace like the ever-popular Peace Symbol. From protest badge to fashion statement, the peace symbol endures as a universally recognized icon. Though most Americans identify it with the Vietnam War protests of the 1960s, it was originally designed and used in Great Britain.

In 1958, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament wanted a symbol to be used at marches and sit-downs (which came to be known in the USA as sit-ins). As it happened, Gerald Holtom, a professional graphic designer and member of the Direct Action Committee Against Nuclear War, had already created the symbol to be worn as a badge during a demonstration against Aldermaston, a British research center and manufacturer of nuclear weapons. Ironically, the CND was already planning an anti-nuclear march from London to Aldermaston during Easter weekend of that year. The two got together and it was during that march that the peace symbol made its first appearance.

Many have speculated about the origin of the design itself. As with most things, it's much simpler than most try to make it. The vertical bar and shorter bars are found in the alphabet of Navy Semaphore flags. The letter "N" is represented by holding a pair of flags down and outward at a 45 degree angle, one flag in each hand. The letter "D" is signified by holding both flags in a vertical position, one flag directly overhead, the other straight downward. So the vertical bar of the peace symbol represents the letter "D" while the two lower bars form the letter "N". The letters themselves stand for "Nuclear Disarmament".

While doves and olive branches are also associated with peace, Holtom's design endures as the iconic universal symbol of peace. Today, the peace symbol is enjoying a resurgence of popularity in the field of fashion. While some people still wear it as an anti-war statement, others wear it as a symbol of universal brotherhood or a touchstone for tranquility. The classic design of the peace symbol will endure for generations to come, because the desire for peace never goes out of style.

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Click here for handcrafted Peace plaques and jewelry.

Kirks Folly Angel Jewelry

Wearing angel jewelry is one of the best ways to show your love of angels and to keep them uppermost in your mind. But it can be difficult to find truly beautiful angel jewelry. The Kirks Folly family has been creating captivating jewelry and home accessories since 1979. Angels, angel wings, and guardian angels are a favorite theme, as well as celestial suns, moons, and stars, and our beloved pets and animals - many with angel wings! Kirks Folly is sometimes inspirational ~ sometimes whimsical ~ always enchanting!

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For Kirks Folly Angel Jewelry and Home Accessories visit Giving Angels. A portion of every item sold ~ whether or not it's an angel ~ is donated to charity.

Guardian Angels ~ A Heavenly Alliance

Guardian Angels are among the most precious of the heavenly realm! Each of us has a Guardian Angel who never leaves our side, providing us with guidance, protection, and love. He or she often communicates with us ~ but we have to be receptive in order to act upon their signals. How can we be more open to hearing their messages?

~ Welcome your angel.

~ Create quiet time.

~ Recognize communication.

~ Ask for help.

~ Know how to ask.

~ Thank your angel.

For details on each step, click here. These tips will help you create a better alliance with your Guardian Angel!

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Angel Gifts ~ Perfect for All Occasions!

Life is filled with special events that call for an especially thoughtful gift. Someone is celebrating a milestone birthday, a time to acknowledge sweet memories and even sweeter years to come. A dear friend has been blessed with a precious baby. A graduate or newlywed is embarking on a future filled with dreams. A loved one enduring an illness or setback needs strength and encouragement. Or someone simply needs to know that you love them today and always. Angel gifts are the perfect answer for all of these occasions!

A heavenly angel gift is accompanied not only by your own message of goodwill ~ the angel itself carries a message of its own that the recipient hears each time they glance at it. An angel whispers ~ you are loved ~ there is hope ~ you're not alone ~ believe in your dreams ~ and so much more!

You'll find that angels come in all forms and themes. Wishes and dreams are symbolized by a celestial angel bearing the moon and stars. A soul mate ornament epitomizes friendship and devotion. Protection is embodied in a guardian angel personalized plaque. Angelic wishes fly on glistening, trendy angel wings. An African-American or Hispanic friend draws special comfort from an angel plaque that reflects their own beautiful skin tones. When you need something very special for someone dear, consider an angel gift!

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For unique Angel Gifts visit Giving Angels. Most everything we sell is handcrafted and made in USA! A portion of every item sold ~ whether or not it's an angel ~ is donated to charity.

Awareness Ribbon Enameled Pins ~ Angel or Star Motifs

Wearing an awareness ribbon enameled pin is a perfect way to show your support for a cause. March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and many people will choose to wear a ribbon pin during that time to raise awareness about this devastating disease.

While a plain ribbon is fine, a second element can bring an entirely new depth of meaning to the ribbon. For example, when an angel is added to the ribbon, it conveys a message of hope, love, and protection. An angel is especially appropriate for the person battling cancer who wants a positive affirmation of comfort and empowerment.

While an angel cause ribbon is perfect for ladies, men may prefer an icon they consider to be less feminine. The star is perfect for the gentleman who wants to wear an awareness ribbon that's just a bit different from the rest. Like an angel, a star also conveys a message of hope.

Awareness ribbon enamel pins are a great way to bring the fight against cancer to the forefront. When the ribbon is enhanced with an angel or star, the message becomes even more special!

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Click here to learn more about Awareness Ribbon Enameled Pins with angel and star motifs.

Angel Recipe for a Happy Life

This angelic recipe is available to all, though at times the ingredients may be scarce. Make it, partake of it, and pass it on as needed ~ the angels hope that your soul never knows hunger.

A heavenly dish that provides the "minimum daily requirement" of inspiration!

2 cups Hope
1 cup Compassion
1 cup Gratitude
1/2 cup Joy
1/4 cup Determination
1/4 cup Encouragement
1 tablespoon Laughter
1 teaspoon Humility
Love as needed

In a large bowl, whip Hope until it's firm enough that it will not fall. Mix in Compassion and Gratitude until well incorporated. Blend in Joy, Determination and Encouragement. Pour into a beautiful presentation dish. Sprinkle with Laughter and Humility. Fill to overflowing with Love.

This is a magical celestial dish! Serve it to everyone you meet, and you'll find the contents replenish themselves so that the dish is always full. Never allow bitterness, jealousy, or contempt to come in contact with the contents of the bowl, because they can quickly sour the other ingredients.

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Click here for Angel Recipes you can create in your kitchen.
Visit Giving Angels for Angels and Angel Art, Kirks Folly Jewelry and Home Decor, Angel Lore, Angel Whispers, and more!

Angel or Fairy? How to Tell the Difference Between Them

Seeing an angel or fairy is lucky indeed! But so often you get just a glimpse ~ how can you quickly tell whether you're seeing an angel or a fairy? Here are four ways to help you determine at a glance which it is. (Plus a link below that will give you four more ways.)

• Wings
The wings are the easiest way to determine which creature you're seeing. Angels always have soft feathered wings while fairies always have colorful gossamer wings. A good way to remember this is to envision a peace dove and a butterfly.


• Dress
Though both angels and fairies can be either clothed or nude, their dress is helpful in distinguishing between the two. Angels usually wear flowing gowns or robes, often with silken sashes. They sometimes don contemporary clothing in order to move within the human world incognito. Fairies fashion their clothing from flowers and leaves, so their garments usually have petaled borders. Should they be nude, remember that fairies often strike a flirtatious pose.


• Hair
Angels take special care with their hair, because they know that humans are receptive to beauty. Thus, their hair is usually attractively and neatly styled. Fairies are carefree spirits and literally "let their hair down". They usually have flowing hair; however, young sprites may prefer a "pixie" cut which doesn't require any special attention to detract from their fun.


• Headdress
If your creature has something about their head, you're in luck! An angel will have a golden halo, though it may appear as a ring of light instead of the metallic gold we usually imagine. Fairies fashion a headdress from the flowers and the forest, weaving them together into a casual open ring to place upon their head.

For four more ways to tell an angel from a fairy, click here.

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An Angel Gift Whispers Its Own Message

A gift is an expression of our affection, but it can convey much more than just that. Someone is celebrating a birthday, and you want to tell them you love them today and always. You want to wish a graduate or newlywed best wishes for a bright future. You want to give encouragement to a loved one enduring an illness or setback.

A heavenly angel gift is accompanied not only by your own message of goodwill ~ the angel itself carries a message of its own that the recipient hears each time they glance at it. An angel whispers ~ you are loved ~ there is hope ~ you're not alone ~ believe in your dreams ~ and so much more. When you need a very special gift for someone dear, give an angel!

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Giving Angels offers a complete selection of Angel Gifts including angel wings, hand crafted angels, Kirks Folly, jewelry, home decor, garden accessories, and made in USA items.

Angels at Tea

My family and friends surprised me with a Grande Afternoon Tea at a local country club to celebrate a milestone birthday. The guests ranged in age from seven to eighty, every one very dear to me. There were no "just friends" present ~ these were all true, through thick or thin, just pick up the phone and I'm there friends. It's a blessing to have such people in your life, and even more special to have family who are also friends.

The tea service was exquisite with delicate Lenox china, each person having their own individual pot holding their choice of tea. The food was as delightful to taste as it was to behold. The starter course of vegetable tart and bonfire warmer soup made this a "grande" tea as opposed to an "afternoon" tea. That was followed by scones with Devonshire cream and fresh strawberry jam, dainty tea sandwiches, and miniature, scrumptious desserts. The setting, a windowed room with fireplace, was lovely. Though I considered the guests' presence to be their presents, I nonetheless received some wonderful gifts that I'll treasure all the more for the thought that went into choosing them. Of course, the best gift of all is the memory of that day that I'll keep forever in my heart.

Perhaps I'm a dreamer, but when a room is filled with love as that room was, I feel the overwhelming presence of angels, basking in the joyful energy being radiated outward. I imagine a choir of angels singing sweet songs, envision a protective wing wrapped around the shoulder of a child or elder, or hear a cluster of cherubs giggling in a corner.

I think that whether or not they're really there, is less important than the fact that I believe they are. I've discovered that we usually find what we're looking for, so I always look for the best. So much of life is perception ~ and we have a tendency to look too much with our eyes and too little with our hearts. Life is a mirror that reflects what you put into it, so expect good things ~ angels, friendship, rainbows, miracles ~ and watch what happens!

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Visit Giving Angels for Angels and Angel Art, Kirks Folly Jewelry and Home Decor, Angel Lore, Angel Whispers, and more!