The peace symbol that went viral
French professional illustrator Jean Jullien was on the start of his vacation when he heard about the terrorist attacks in Paris. Rather than pen words on social media, Jullien, expressed himself through art. He told TIME magazine that his first reaction to the violence was a symbol of peace for Paris. “From there it seems to have gotten a bit out of my hands,” he said of the image that went viral with many people choosing to use it as a profile picture as an expression of their thoughts on the violence against civilians. It soon became a unifying symbol for people around the world.
Celebrities such as John Legend, Harry Styles and others shared the image, something that moved Jullien as it showed how everyone around the world – famous or not – felt the need to communicate peace and solidarity.
“Some people were trying to alert me that people were using it without credit,” he says. “That’s not really the point. I did not create the image to get credit. I created a symbol for everyone to share. It’s not for ownership and pride.”
At least 129,000 likes on Instagram, 48,000 retweets and 1.3 mln likes after Instagram’s own post of the image
Charlie Hebdo cartoonist
Joan Sfar published a series of cartoons to convey his sadness and anger. He published these on Instagram as the tragedy emerged. One cartoon, in English, reads:
Friends from the whole world, thank you for #prayforParis, but we don’t need more religion! Our faith goes to music! Kissing! Life! Champagne and joy! #Parisisaboutlife
He also drew Paris’ city motto, ‘fluctuat nec mergitur’, which means: ‘It is beaten by the waves but does not sink’:
France is an old country where lovers embrace freely.
Paris is our capital. We love music, drunkenness, joy.
For centuries lovers of death have tried to make us lose life’s flavour.
They never succeed.
Those who love. Those who love life. In the end, they’re always the ones who are rewarded.
The motto of Paris is beautiful.
‘It is beaten by the waves but does not sink’
Terrorism is not the enemy. Terrorism is a mode of operation. Repeating ‘we are at war’ without finding the courage to name our enemies leads nowhere. Our enemies are those that love death. In various guises, they have always existed. History forgets quickly.
The people who died tonight were out living, drinking, singing. They didn’t know they had declared war.
Instead of dividing, we should remember what is precious: our way of life.
Lovers of death, if God exists, he hated you. And you have already lost, both on earth and in heaven.
It means, ‘F__k death.’
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