International Red Cross chooses Additional Symbol

December 8, 2005 7:49 AM

As seen on the Red Cross's website, a new symbol has been chosen for use along side of the Red Cross, or Red Crescent. This new symbol, dubbed the "Red Crystal" was developed specifically for situations where combatants may not understand or respect the implications of the Red Cross or Red Crescent. CBC in Canada has an article on the subject. The BBC has another that explains the desire for neutrality. More information is available on the Red Cross's emblem page.
posted by blackturtleneck (35 comments total)

"Crystal" is pretty stupid, but I guess it had to start with a C.
posted by smackfu at 7:53 AM on December 8, 2005

When you blow the magic flute a tornado comes and whisks you to saftey.
posted by The Jesse Helms at 7:54 AM on December 8, 2005

Previously discussed here.
posted by gubo at 7:54 AM on December 8, 2005

Is this for when they're conducting rescue operations in the vast wastelands of the secular humanist hordes?
posted by Space Coyote at 8:02 AM on December 8, 2005

Now, to start up a controversial religion that uses this symbol!
posted by antifuse at 8:09 AM on December 8, 2005

An addition that Israel accepted-why?--so that the Muslim Arabs would not be upset that humanitarian aid being given. And even with this change, it had trouble getting accepted!
posted by Postroad at 8:10 AM on December 8, 2005

Is it just me, or am I not seeing any samples of the emblem on any of the FPP's links?
posted by rolypolyman at 8:18 AM on December 8, 2005

Duh, never mind... pick the CBC one.
posted by rolypolyman at 8:19 AM on December 8, 2005

You have to dig for it..last link click on "photo gallery" and in the left pane there's a photo of the red crystal on a flag.
posted by apple scruff at 8:20 AM on December 8, 2005

Don't forget the red lion!
posted by delmoi at 8:23 AM on December 8, 2005

I'm definetly using that if I ever start an aide org.
posted by delmoi at 8:25 AM on December 8, 2005

Great, the meth-heads will think "Red Crystal" flag is the site for scoring phosphorous crystal meth...
posted by thomcatspike at 8:26 AM on December 8, 2005

That's awesome. He's not just a lion, he's a lion with a friggin' sword!
posted by unreason at 8:27 AM on December 8, 2005

Don't forget the red lion!

How could I? Very nice pub indeed.


posted by vbfg at 8:33 AM on December 8, 2005

All players with the Red Crystal get +5 to all Healing throws.
posted by MasonDixon at 8:45 AM on December 8, 2005

They still need the Blue and Yellow Crystals to open the MoonGate.
posted by brain_drain at 8:47 AM on December 8, 2005

Wow. Anyone who would get upset over the Red Cross/Crescent Crap to the point that it would take six years of negotiations and a new symbol to sort it out really needs to take themselves less seriously.

Little do those heathens know that exact hollow-diamond symbol is a representation of Hree-Bar, Lord of Absolute Darkness and Destroyer of Stars, the personification of evil in the sect of Anti-Crystaltarians I belong to. International incident, ahoy!
posted by Anonymous at 8:54 AM on December 8, 2005

And even with this change, it had trouble getting accepted!
What a world.
posted by ~ at 8:57 AM on December 8, 2005

Red Crystal? Sounds like creeping New Age-ism to me.
posted by alumshubby at 9:01 AM on December 8, 2005

Laurence Fishburn offers either the Red Crystal, or the Blue Crystal.
posted by unreason at 9:09 AM on December 8, 2005

Thank you brain_drain. Your comment caused tear-inducing laughter. I'm not sure why.
posted by mania at 9:13 AM on December 8, 2005

I dont like it.
posted by 13twelve at 9:20 AM on December 8, 2005

Israel is likely to be the first country to adopt the Red Crystal, Notari said, and as part of the compromise will be allowed to place a Star of David inside the crystal...

*facepalm*
posted by Baby_Balrog at 9:21 AM on December 8, 2005

Welcome to dhimmitude.
posted by HTuttle at 9:21 AM on December 8, 2005

Red Crystal image
posted by warbaby at 9:35 AM on December 8, 2005

An addition that Israel accepted-why?--so that the Muslim Arabs would not be upset that humanitarian aid being given. And even with this change, it had trouble getting accepted!

I don't wish to equate judaism with national socialism but the people in many muslim countries probably have the same reaction to the star of David as most western people do to a swastika. Besides, the Star of David (and the crescent moon and the cross) are all not only religious symbols, but also ones that appear on national flags, so I think it only makes sense that they find one that is more neutral (well, minus Brazil that is).
posted by furtive at 9:57 AM on December 8, 2005

As an added advantage, the crystal's four corners make for a really nice shape to align your crosshairs on...
posted by insomnia_lj at 9:59 AM on December 8, 2005

Laurence Fishburn offers either the Red Crystal, or the Blue Crystal.
>_
posted by eriko at 10:07 AM on December 8, 2005

Laurence Fishburn offers either the Red Crystal, or the Blue Crystal.
> Take Red Crystal

I don't know what a Red Crystal is.

> Use Red Crystal

I don't know how to use that.

> _
posted by unreason at 10:34 AM on December 8, 2005

You have been eaten by a grue.
posted by aramaic at 10:39 AM on December 8, 2005

And yes, Jim Henson offers the Dark Crystal...
posted by insomnia_lj at 10:41 AM on December 8, 2005

And yes, Jim Henson offers the Dark Crystal...

Damnit, that's twice this subject has come up and I've been narrowly beat out on the joke.
posted by Ogre Lawless at 10:45 AM on December 8, 2005

My first thought was "Looks like a nautical signal flag". And sure enough, it is quite similar to the Foxtrot flag, which means "Disabled, communicate with me". So the crystal isn't as arbitrary as it seems, so long as you don't get too confused about which party is disabled, and which party is coming to assist....
posted by Triode at 1:46 PM on December 8, 2005

Best signal flag EVAR.

Good looking redhead, pub in London. She's wearing a button that's the signal flag for X-Ray.

I about drop my beer, then bought her one , stating that while most didn't understand, I was in admiration of her clear communication.

Ladies: Bad flags to wear -- Charlie, Golf (unless that's what you really want) , Romeo, and for god's sake, never *ever* fly the Blue Peter.
posted by eriko at 3:52 PM on December 8, 2005

A modest proposal for an ecumenical medical logo:


posted by raygirvan at 4:20 AM on December 9, 2005