Red cross, international organization concerned with the alleviation of human suffering and the promotion of public health. American red cross textbook on home nursing by american national red cross, the sky above us by sarah sundin, american red cr. The nigerian red cross society nrcs was established through an act of the parliament in 1960. The red cross and red crescent movement repeatedly rejected israels request over the years, stating that the red cross and red crescent emblems were not meant to represent christianity and islam but were colour reversals of the swiss and the ottoman flags, and also that if jews or another group were to be given another emblem, there would be. During that conference, participating delegates also agreed on the red cross symbol to represent these relief societies, a symbol that will later become the emblem for the international red cross. The emblem of a red cross with arms of equal length on a white background is the visible sign of protection under the 1949 geneva conventions.
The emblems origins lie with the founder of the international red cross committee, henry dunant. War, switzerland and the history of the red cross, the power to monitor and criticize all governments of the world remains in the hands of a small band of coopted, elderly swiss lawyers and bankers. In sri lanka, the emblem of the red cross is often misused due to a lack of knowledge and understanding of its application. The red cross offers first aid, cpraed, caregiving, and lifeguard training materials for both instructors and students. Back in geneva, henry dunant started writing a book proposing drastic. A memory of solferino he proposed the formation in all countries of voluntary relief societies, and in 1863 the. International law protects the people who wear them, and the buildings and transport which. The author retraces the history of the emblem and points out the dangers of using multiple signs and the difficulty icrc. The red cross and red crescent emblem the red cross is being used by the christian. Theres a history behind it and youll be surprised to. Egypt too opted for the red crescent while persia chose a red lion on a white background.
Dunant wrote and published a book entitled a memory of solferino, which he put. List of books and articles about red cross online research library. The red cross is an international humanitarian network founded in 1863 in. The red cross, red crescent and red crystal emblems provide protection for military medical services and relief workers in armed conflicts. A red cross on a white background is adopted as the movement s symbol. The emblem of a red cross on a white background is a sign of protection under the geneva conventions. The red cross is one of three symbols representing the international red cross. In the 1870s, the red cross was supplemented by a red crescent and, more recently, a red crystal. The british red cross and the geneva convention emblem.
In december 2005, an additional emblem the red crystal was created alongside the red cross and the red crescent. The red cross is defined as a protection symbol in article 7 of the 1864 geneva convention, chapter vii the distinctive emblem and article 38 of the 1949 geneva convention for the amelioration of the condition of the wounded and sick in armed forces in the. National societies in each country also use the emblems for identification purposes. War was declared in september 1939 and the british red cross joined forces with the order of st john to help the sick and wounded. The red cross logo was designed by henri dunant in 1863. Like so many institutions, organizations, and benevolent agencies, the red cross had its origin in the christian faith.
It was identified as a protective emblem to be used in conflict areas, showing neutrality. In her upcoming book the american plate historys chief historian, dr. Her book turns the red cross into a revealing lens on the troubled history of the. Starter reading history and meaning of the red cross emblem how is the emblem used in times of armed conflict. His book led to the foundation of the international committee of the red cross icrc. This is a short animation explaining the purpose of the emblems and their protective and indicative functions. Misuse of the red cross emblem is governed by articles 37, 38 and 85 of additional protocol one to the geneva conventions, the international rules of war. Based on the information as explained to me, the way that the images show the red cross emblem being used could be distinguished as a war crime, ellis added. An international conference, called to launch the red cross movement, opens in geneva. Media matters reported in 2006 that the american red cross website said the symbol of a red cross on a white background was the reverse of the swiss flag, a country known for its neutrality and also the home of the founder of the red cross, henry dunant. Viceroys surplice with red cross emblem on front emblem 9 inch. The history and origin of the masonic and military order of the red cross of constantine and the orders of the holy sepulchre and st. In the 1870s, the red cross was supplemented by a red crescent and, more recently, a.
Red cross on a white background, is the emblem of red cross, recognized in 1864 as the distinctive sign for medical relief teams on the battle field. All assume a grasp of essential context from starter reading. This organisation was established by dunant and four geneva businessmen in 1863. As such, it is the emblem of the armed forces medical services. In the 1870s, the ottoman empire began using a red crescent as its emblem, in place of a red cross. Using the red cross emblem during world war one wwi, the red cross emblem was used by ambulances and medical personnel to protect the sick and wounded in accordance with the geneva conventions. Flag of switzerland a and symbol of the red cross b. The red cross, red crescent and red crystal are symbols of protection. As theyd done in the first world war, they formed the joint war organisation. If you are not an authorized red cross user, you must have express permission from the american red cross to download and use our logo. The root cause is likely attributed to an unintentional mixup of the swiss flag with the red cross emblem. The christian cross is a symbol of the crucifixion. In order to avoid semantic noise, the international red cross uses the.
The christian origin of the red cross christian heritage. In 1859, the battle fought in solferino italy was not only decisive for the independence of italy from austria but also brought about the birth of the largest humanitarian movement in the world, the red cross movement. The red cross is used in times of armed conflict in order to say dont shoot. It indicates that people, materials, buildings and transports displaying the emblem are not part of the. The red cross and the red crescent have been at the service of humanity for more than a century affording protection to those affected by conflict and to those assisting them. In her upcoming book the american plate history s chief historian, dr. In the russoturkish war the ottoman empire used a red crescent in place of the red cross. Many wrongly believe that it represents medical practices or pharmaceutical services. The red cross societies have been providing valuable services for generations. Bugnion it was neither dunants desire not that of his collaborators, nor that of the countries participating in the geneva convention that the work and. The committee that governs it, however, has changed little since the 1870s.
The red cross, red crescent and red crystal, what do they mean. And doesnt it seem to bear a striking resemblance to the swiss flag. Red cross logo, by henri dunant, 1863 logo design love. A red cross on a white background is the emblem of humanitarian spirit. As noted below in the brief thumbnail sketch, the christian faith of banker and businessman, henry dunant, was the impetus behind the compassion that has been and continues to be extended to millions around the world. This film, combining colourful animation with recent images, brings to life the history of the red cross red crescent movement from henry dunant.
Wwii era american red cross felt patch 4 ending mar 1 at 6. Origin of red cross emblem american red cross northwest. According to caroline moorehead, author of dunants dream. A short history of the american red cross, the only congressionally mandated organization to provide aid to victims of disasters. Why is the medical symbol for first aid a red cross. The emblems of the international red cross and red crescent movement, under the geneva. Starter reading history and meaning of the red cross emblem. Adoption of the red cross on white background reverse of swiss flag as protective emblem and establishment of national committees for the relief of military wounded. This helped to coordinate wartime activities more efficiently. Colombia, misuse of the emblem how does law protect in. Indeed, i encounter the swiss flag regularly in football stadiums, ballparks, and concert arenas, owing to the unequivocal earmarking of first aid stations and first aid responders at popular venues figure 1.
In peace time it indicates that a person or object is linked to the red cross movement and its fundamental principles of humanity, impartiality, independence, and voluntary service. The charter also protects the red cross emblem a red cross on a white background for use only by the red cross. History of red cross henri dunant, founder of red cross. It thus excluded the use of any exceptional sign other than the red crescent and the red lion. The red cross symbolizes as an identifier for medical personnel during wartime. Article 38 of the first geneva convention of 1949 confirmed the emblems of the red cross, the red crescent and the red lion and sun on a white ground as the protective signs for army medical services.
The red cross in the second world war british red cross. On january 5, 1905, the american red cross received a slightly revised congressional charter. The following year, the first geneva convention for the alleviation of the conditions of the wounded in armies in the field was adopted, together with the emblem of the red cross. The act, referred to as the nigerian red cross act of 1960, cap 324 states in section 5 1 that the society shall be recognised by the government of the federation as a. As you may already know, the red cross is the symbol of all red cross organizations, groups that provide humanitarian and medical aid worldwide, even. The following document explains the history of the emblems.
By 1862, dunant published a book, a memory of solferino, in which he. As one of nearly 200 red cross national societies around the world, new zealand red cross has an important part to play in making sure this powerful emblem retains its true meaning. American red cross water safety instructors manual. The emergency care procedures outlined in this book reflect the standard of knowledge and accepted emergency practices in the united states at the time this book was published.
Rosenne shabtai, the red cross, red crescent, red lion and sun and the red shield of david, in iyhr, vol. A short history of the american red cross thoughtco. Emblems of the international red cross and red crescent. The red cross emblem is one of the most recognised symbols in the world, the use of. Please remember that the american red cross logo should be used correctlyit is one of our most valuable assets. It is an image that stands as a worldwide symbol of. The emblems international committee of the red cross.
All three explorations make use of the powerpoint presentation under the red cross emblem, with ppt slides 17 providing the general introduction. Masonic red cross of constantine regalia, gifts and. During world war one wwi, the red cross emblem was used by ambulances and medical personnel to protect the sick and wounded in accordance with the geneva conventions. The red cross emblem continues to be used as protection today. The red cross arose out of the work of henri dunant, a swiss humanitarian, who, at the battle of solferino, in june 1859, organized emergency aid services for austrian and french wounded. In 1862, dunant wrote and published a book entitled a memory of solferino, which he. The red cross and the red crescent have been at the service of humanity for more than. Vintage black american red cross emergency highway first aid kit 1930 era.
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