Today is the day on which we celebrate the world's most well-known humanitarian and aid organisation, the Red Cross, founded by Henry Dunant in 1863.

The full name "Red Cross and Red Crescent" is a hint at the serious branding problem around this universally recognised symbol.

The original red cross flag was chosen as an inverted Swiss flag, in honour of Henry Dunant's country of origin:







But during the Russo-Turkish war, the (Muslim) soldiers of the Ottoman Empire objected to the use of the cross, so the Empire adopted the Red Crescent:








In 1924, Iran decided they wanted their own symbol for their national humanitarian organisation, and introduced the Red Lion With Sun:








And not wanting to be left out, seven years later Israel proposed their own Red Star of David, shortly followed by Afghanistan with the Red Archway:








Both were rejected by the International Red Cross and Red Crescent out of concerns for "symbol proliferation".

So were requests by India and Sri Lanka in the 50s to introduce a Red Swastika (the Hindu, Buddhist and Jainist symbol meaning good fortune, not the Nazi symbol meaning "We are in your country killing your dudes"):











In 1980, Iran (following the Islamist Revolution) switched from the Red Lion with Sun to the Red Crescent:








Then in 2006 the ICRC introduced another new symbol, the Red Crystal or Red Diamond, and finally recognised Israel's Red Star of David, which is combined with the Red Chrystal when displayed overseas:











Clearly we have a little branding problem here. Which is why, in honour of International Red Cross and Red Crescent Day, I have created, for you and for the world, a whole new symbol. A symbol that will bring a new age of unity and peace to this troubled organisation. A symbol that encompasses the power and beauty of all these designs, and adds...just a little something extra.





Oh yeah. Breathe it in. You know what you're smelling? Unity.

I present to you the Red Cross Diamond Star Crescent Archway with Swastika, Sword-wielding Lion, Unicorns and Lasers, henceforth to be known as the Grand Unified Red Thing. Download it, print it, display it with pride, spread the word.

Here's a badge to get you started:



You can further support the cause by signing the petition: Adopt the Grand Unified Red Thing
Or by joining the Facebook Cause: Support the Grand Unified Red Thing

Tell your friends, spread the word. We can change the world, if we only believe it.

I'll be tracking the progress of the campaign here on Day of X, and I confidently believe that in a year's time, we'll be celebrating the International Day of the Grand Unified Red Thing Movement.

And that's your Day today.

Labels: grand unified red thing, International Red Cross, red archway, red crescent, red diamond, red lion, red star, unity