The Knotted Gun - Non Violence Sculpture

Date of Issue: 2 October 2018

In recognition of this year’s International Day of Non-Violence, the United Nations Postal Administration  issued three new definitive stamps featuring images of the Knotted Gun sculpture, officially known as the Non-Violence sculpture.  

The General Assembly, in June 2007, decided to observe the International Day of Non-Violence on 2 October, which is also the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.

The Non-Violence sculpture was created in 1980 by the Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd as a tribute to John Lennon. It has become a symbol for peace and non-violence, with more than 30 sculptures placed in strategic locations worldwide, including the UN Headquarters in New York, the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, and the Peace Park in Beijing.

The artwork for the 1¢ definitive stamp is an engraving by Martin Mörck of Norway. The € 0,90 and € 2,30 definitive stamps are painted knotted gun sculptures which are part of the Non-Violence Art Project.

The € 0,90 stamp features artwork by Swedish environmental explorer, Johan Ernst Nilson.

The € 2,30 stamp features artwork by English musician, song writer and actor, Ringo Starr of the band The Beatles. 

The Non-Violence sculpture is used as a symbol by the Non-Violence Project Foundation, a non-profit organization promoting peace and social change through education, to inspire, motivate and engage young people to understand how to solve conflicts peacefully.

To quote Mahatma Gandhi: “Non-violence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.”