Today, designers have embraced the symbol again, using it on T-shirts, dresses, shoes and jewelry. It's a subtle way of paying homage to the past.

"Now when you see the peace symbol, it's a fashion statement first," says Joseph Kotarba, a sociology professor at the University of Houston. "It's part of the general pattern of periodic nostalgia, like 1950s diners. There's a generation of baby boomers who were introduced to the sign because of the politics of the world and a younger generation that sees the symbol as something cool."

The symbol's origins began in Britain, according to the Designers for Peace Project, an anti-war and anti-violence organization. It was created by Gerald Holton in 1958 for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament. He designed the symbol based on the naval semaphore flags, which are used by sailors to communicate. He combined the code letters for N and D, or "nuclear disarmament." (The N is two flags with arms downstretched at a 45 degree angle; the D is two flags with one arm straight up and one straight down.)

The symbol was later adopted in the U.S. by Vietnam War protesters and the civil rights movement.

Kotarba says during the 1960s, it was one of several symbols, including the rainbow and the raised fist, used to protest the establishment. "It was the mark of the counter-culture generation who was anti-war, anti-establishment and anti-adult," he said. It also was the first time a symbol was widely used in crafts, from macramé to posters, as way for protesters to personalize their effort.

The hand gesture peace sign — two fingers in a "V" shape — is believed to have originated in Europe during World War II as a signal for "victory."

But today's peace symbol has lost some of its punch. Even with the nation at war in Iraq, the symbol doesn't carry the strong anti-war message it did in the 1960s, Kotarba says.

"The peace sign doesn't have much competition," he says. "It's really the only thing that young people can grab on to identify with that isn't tied to a product or brand. There's nothing commercial about it."

Shoe and handbag designer Donald J Pliner has created a line of shoes and handbags detailed with the peace symbol. A portion of sales benefits his Peace of Children Foundation.

"You never realize how important peace is," said Pliner, who was in town recently to unveil his spring collection. "I want peace very much," he said.

Pliner and his wife, Lisa, a Houston native, recently started the charity to fund initiatives and programs that advance the care and welfare of children in need. Its first charge is to support KaBoom!, a national organization that builds playgrounds, skate parks and sports fields.

Pliner also teamed with luxury Swiss watchmaker Kriërger to create the "Pliner Peace" edition Gigantium watch, $1,500-$9,000, with proceeds benefiting his charity.

The design house Moschino has put the peace sign on jeans. Michael Kors has put it on clothing and shoes. Even mainstream retailers such as Zales and Nordstrom offer jewelry featuring the symbol.

"It's a sign of love, hope and future prosperity," said Steve Larkin, senior vice president of Zales.com. "With retro looks back in fashion, the peace sign pendant is perfect accent to any wardrobe."