Coexist bumper stickers promote coexistence among people who practice different religions and people who have different points of view. Some coexistence images address other issues as well, including the struggles between science and religion and religious questions about homosexuality. The coexist religious tolerance design is routinely seen on shirts, posters, mugs, magnets, buttons, and other products to advocate tolerance and peace.
History of Coexist Design Used on Bumper Stickers
A Polish graphic designer, Piotr Mlodozeniec, designed the first coexist image. He created the design to participate in an art contest hosted by the Museum on the Seam for Dialogue, Understanding, and Coexistence in Israel to promote religious tolerance.
Mlodozeniec’s coexist design has since been developed further. Today, many companies today sell detailed coexist images that use Mlodozeniec’s design as the foundation for their designs.
The popularity of the coexistence image skyrocketed after U2 used the image as part of their Vertigo concert tour. U2 used the coexist image as a backdrop to a portion of the concert, and Bono wore the coexist design on his headband.
Meaning of the Coexist Symbols
Piotr Mlodozeniec’s basic coexistence design is uncomplicated and easy to understand. The design uses three symbols that stand for Islam, Judaism, and Christianity. Mlodozeniec modified the word “coexist” in the following ways:
- for the letter “c,” a crescent moon representing Islam is substituted
- for the letter “x,” the Star of David representing Judaism is substituted
- for the letter “t,” a cross representing Christianity is substituted
Today, there are several different versions of the coexist design. Starting with Mlodozeniec’s conception, the newer designs add additional symbols:
- for the letter “o,” the peace symbol or pagan/Wiccan pentacle is substituted
- for the letter “e,” a male/female symbol or a scientific equation is substituted
- for the letter “i,” a pagan/Wiccan symbol is substituted
- for the letter “s,” a Chinese yin-yang symbol is substituted
Promoting Peace and Coexistence Among Different Religions
The coexist design used on many religious tolerance products promotes peace and reconciliation among people of different faiths, belief systems, and worldviews. The first coexist design focused on harmony between the three great monotheistic faiths – Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Newer coexist designs expand the tolerance message to also include earth-centered and Eastern religions as well as issues surrounding religion and science and gender, including homosexuality.
Sources:
Can’t We All Just Coexist?, ATU2.com.
Museum on the Seam for Dialogue, Understanding, and Coexistence, MOTS.org.
Aimee Larsen Stoddard - Aimee is a professional writer/editor. She has a BA in English and is currently completing an MS in Theology.
Join the Conversation