History of the Most Recognized International Peace Symbol

The Beginning. The Peace Pole Project was started in Japan by Masahisa Goi (1916-1980) who dedicated his life to spreading the message, May Peace Prevail on Earth. Mr. Goi was greatly saddened by the destruction caused by World War II and the atomic bombs that fell on the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. His desire to assist in the creation of world peace was answered in 1955 when the message of May Peace Prevail on Earth came to him in a moment of inspiration and deep prayer.

After Mr. Goi authored the message, May Peace Prevail on Earth, it was promoted throughout Japan. Soon after, Peace Poles inscribed with the message began to appear in locations across Japan. In 1986, the International Year of Peace, peace poles could be found in the United States and across the world.

Peace Poles are now the most recognized international peace symbol and monument worldwide with more than 200,000 Peace Poles standing in almost every country around the world.

Current History. Peace Pole Makers USA was born in 1985 when Joe and Carol started making Peace Poles on their farm in Northern Michigan. Dave purchased the business in 2001 and moved it to Maple City, Michigan where he continued the tradition of handcrafting each and every Peace Pole sold. The library of languages grew, along with the business, to now proudly offering 400+ languages from around the world, all proclaiming the message May Peace Prevail on Earth.

While on a trip to Northern Michigan in 2021 to pick up their Peace Pole, Jim and Sue Law learned that Dave was thinking of selling the business. Close to retirement, they decided it would be the perfect segue into a meaningful and enriching post-work life. Peace Pole Makers Global was born in 2021 and moved to Jim and Sue’s hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.

“We feel a great responsibility to continuing the legacy of handcrafting each pole with the utmost care and attention to detail that Joe and Carol started in 1985,” say Jim and Sue. Since its inception, every Peace Pole has been customized to the purchaser’s specifications. “It is an honor and a privilege to continue providing the highest standard of craftsmanship with every Peace Pole sold.”

Peace Poles have gone up in the Space Shuttle and lined the walkways of the Olympics. Whether they have been viewed as rustic and earthy or spiritual and uniting, every pole is a galvanizing monument to the universal message, May Peace Prevail on Earth!