World Peace Flag Ceremony

A global celebration of the unity and uniqueness of the human family.

A shared act of peace to symbolically embrace the world’s 195 countries.

The World Peace Flag Ceremony is a moment of profound unity, bringing hearts and minds together to offer thoughts, prayers and intentions of peace for every country. Initiated in Japan in 1983 by Masami Saionji and shared internationally since 1986, this symbolic act transcends national, religious and ideological boundaries.

At its heart is the universal message “May Peace Prevail On Earth”.

With Living Peace International, the ceremony reaches its most intense moment when the great flag mandala is complete: we gather for a PLANETARY TIME OUT, a minute of silence to symbolically embrace the world’s 195 countries and renew our daily commitment to peace.

Activity carried out in cooperation with May Peace Prevail On Earth International.

Who it is for

Schools at all levels: students, teachers and staff.
Youth groups, associations and educational centres.
Local communities, local authorities and families.

Objectives

Activities

Preparation

Choose a spacious, open area free of obstacles, such as a gym, courtyard, hall or square.
Prepare 195 national flags, gentle background music and, if needed, battery-powered candles.

Ceremony stages

Participants form a circle around the empty space, holding the 195 distributed flags.
One by one, each participant approaches the centre and lays down their flag, saying: “May peace prevail in [Country Name]!”
The flags are carefully arranged in concentric circles to form a large, colourful mandala.
Once it is complete, observe a minute of silence, offering a thought of peace to all peoples.
The ceremony ends with a group photograph around the mandala.

Deadline

The activity can take place throughout the school and educational year. Suggested dates: 30 January, School Day of Peace and Nonviolence; 21 September, International Day of Peace.