History - The Meaning of the Amnesty Candle
Today, the Amnesty International candle is said to be one of the most widely recognized, non-commercial symbols in the world. But where does this symbol come from? And what does it mean?
Early on, Amnesty's founder Peter Benenson asked British artist Diana Redhouse to design an emblem for Amnesty based on a candle encircled in barbed wire. He had thought of the image when recalling a favorite proverb: "Better to light a candle than curse the darkness."
Today, the Amnesty International candle circled in barbed wire has come to be associated with everything uniquely powerful about the work of the movement and its supporters.
- The candle is the light of public attention that Amnesty members shine on the hidden abuses (the barbed wire) of human rights violators.
- The candle is the spark for dramatic, positive change - as evident in the lives of many individuals and communities, in new institutions to protect human rights, and through work to strengthen the public's awareness of our rights.
- The candle is a beacon of hope and solidarity for people who defend human rights at great personal risk, for people on death row, for the jailed and tortured and "disappeared," for people suffering the loss of "disappeared" loved ones, and for people who are forced to leave their homes in search of safe refuge in other lands.
To each person at risk of harm, Amnesty members say: "We are with you, we are telling the world about your situation, we are demanding on your behalf the justice and dignity that is your right and everyone's right."
Exposing the truth, generating change, offering hope - the Amnesty candle has become a unique symbol of people speaking out effectively for human justice and dignity in our time.