July 4, 2009

Ringing for world peace?

The very first World Peace Bell was a gift of the Japanese people to the United Nations in 1954. It was founded with coins donated by delegates to the UN's 13th General Conference in Paris in 1951. It symbolizes the countries' wish for a peaceful world free from wars and the threat posed by nuclear arms. The original is in the UN Headquarters in New York, Japan has five, and fifteen other countries have one each, including the Philippines. Ours, given in 1994, is inside the Quezon Memorial Circle, and it desperately needs some maintenance. The paint is all faded and I don't think it even has a clapper anymore. Sadly, I think it's a reflection of the state of Philippine politics.

World Peace Bell replica inside the Quezon Memorial Circle

21 comments:

  1. crocrodylJuly 4, 2009 at 4:14 AM

    I hope it will bring peace!

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  2. LeonardJuly 4, 2009 at 4:41 AM

    Hello Helga,

    What time do you go to sleep ?

    Bell looks great. Is it very heavy ?

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  3. DinaJuly 4, 2009 at 4:48 AM

    Hi Hilda, thanks for this post and the link. I'm glad to learn about the world peace bells in the several countries.
    We have a bonsho bell for peace over Jerusalem. It's posted here:
    http://jerusalemhillsdailyphoto.blogspot.com/2008/07/zen-moment.html

    As I understand, this type of bell is struck with a suspended wooden beam from outside. Sadly, our bell is lacking that. I'd love to hear it. Maybe that says something about OUR politics, too.

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  4. Cezar and LéiaJuly 4, 2009 at 5:59 AM

    our world needs peace!Amazing post!Thanks a lot dear friend,
    God bless you!
    Luna(from Brazil) and mommy Léia

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  5. Stefan JanssonJuly 4, 2009 at 6:05 AM

    I hope it will work, would be nice to see a world without any wars.

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  6. LowellJuly 4, 2009 at 11:52 AM

    This certainly proclaims a wonderful sentiment...it is unfortunate that it has fallen into disrepair...but I think it also represents that insanity that plagues humanity -- other dictators and countries who think war is the answer...

    Nice photo, Hilda!

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  7. Louis la VacheJuly 4, 2009 at 1:27 PM

    Very interesting post, Hilda. «Louis» had forgotten about the Peace Bells. This one certainly has a Japanese character about its appearance.

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  8. VPJuly 4, 2009 at 2:12 PM

    Wonderful bell brought by a utopian idea, typical of its age. Too many thugs around the world to believe in bells...

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  9. Don and KriseJuly 4, 2009 at 2:55 PM

    Let's hope that one of these days someone deems it important enough to restore the bell along with the people's faith.

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  10. B SQUAREDJuly 4, 2009 at 7:30 PM

    Not just the Philippines!

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  11. Leif HagenJuly 4, 2009 at 8:50 PM

    Handsome photo of an important bell. Let peace ring far and near!

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  12. AnonymousJuly 4, 2009 at 10:53 PM

    I agree - it reflects the situation in the world. I find it symbolic that it is made out of coins - money are probably the main cause many problems in the world. If only we can assure the politicians that they can make more coins in their pocket if there is world peace - that will solve all problems!

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  13. marleyJuly 4, 2009 at 11:44 PM

    I think it looks quite nice all aged, but it should still be able to ring. Thanks for sharing :)

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  14. SarettaJuly 5, 2009 at 12:26 AM

    Too bad it's not being taken care of...it's a very fine and dignified bell.

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  15. GeorgeJuly 5, 2009 at 12:57 AM

    I don't think this type of bell has a clapper, but in any case let's hope World Peace gets more attention from the peoples of all nations.

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  16. TiknoJuly 5, 2009 at 1:11 AM

    Peace is something to dream by many people.

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  17. UnknownJuly 5, 2009 at 2:52 AM

    Fantastic bell! It made me remind of the Mingun Bell in Burma, the biggest ringing bell in the world. Do you know its fascinating history, Hilda? In short words: Built in 1808 and stolen by the british (don't remember when...). They have sunk it in the Irrawaddy river and weren't able to get it back, so the burmese people tried to do the same with the most primitive bamboo devices and they made it! The british were so astonished with this, they gave it back to the Mingun people who placed it is in it's original place, where I've seen it a couple of years ago. :-)

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  18. HildaJuly 5, 2009 at 8:34 AM

    Dina & George:
    I didn't think of a bell with an exterior hammer — like a gong! So of course, I don't remember if there was one near the bell. If I ever visit the Quezon memorial again, I will look for it.

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  19. LoisJuly 6, 2009 at 1:04 AM

    It is still quite beautiful!

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  20. escapeJuly 6, 2009 at 11:38 AM

    that i really didnt know. amazing and i wonder how you learned that there's a bell there. did you learn it thru someone or you just discovered it while you were strolling?

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  21. SH -icJuly 9, 2009 at 10:53 PM

    ohh i feel a cripple in my fingers and want to make a DONG

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