The Banner of Peace is a symbol associated with the Roerich Pact, the first international treaty aimed at the protection of artistic and scientific institutions and historical monuments.

[1] The pact, signed on April 15, 1935, represents a significant milestone in the international effort to safeguard cultural values and heritage.

The Banner of Peace was proposed by Nicholas Roerich, a prominent figure in the development of the pact, as a universal emblem to signify protected cultural sites under the agreement.

"[2]The following description of the sign appears in the official text of the pact:[3] "In order to identify the monuments and institutions mentioned in article I, use may be made of a distinctive flag (red circle with a triple red sphere in the circle on a white background) in accordance with the model attached to this treaty.

This great humanitarian ideal provides in the field of mankind's cultural achievements the same guardianship as the Red Cross provides in alleviating the physical sufferings of man.

"[4]The origin of Roerich's idea for the creation of the Banner of Peace sign was an ancient Russian icon by Andrei Rublev.

What may be more ancient and more genuine than Byzantine conception which stretches in the depth of centuries to the origin united Christianity and so beautifully implemented in Rublev's icon "Saint life-giving Trinity" from the Holy Trinity-St. Sergius Lavra?

Roerich has adduced the following illustrations of presence of the Banner of Peace components in the pictures and icons of great spiritual devotees from various religions:[clarification needed] "Our post from various countries today brings us much news about the propagation of our Pact for protection of cultural values.

From other regions we have received a photo of an edition of Kiev-Pecherskaya Laura press from 1860 of the service to Venerable Sergius of Radonezh, the Miracle-Worker.

"[6]The monuments and institutions, on which the banner of peace sign is proposed to establish, must be included by National governments in the special list.

The Pan American Union, when notifying the Governments of signatures or accessions, shall also send the list of monuments and institutions mentioned in this article, and shall inform the other Governments of any changes in said list.The monuments and institutions mentioned in article I shall cease to enjoy the privileges recognized in the present treaty in case they are made use of for military purposes.Roerich wrote about these conditions: "Institutions, collections and missions, registered under Roerich Pact, exhibit a distinctive flag which gives them the right to special protection and respect from belligerent countries and peoples of all countries participating in the treaty.

In 1990, Russian cosmonauts Aleksandr Balandin and Anatoly Solovyev performed a space flight on orbital station Mir with the banner of peace on board.

[7] In October, 2004 during the celebration of Roerich's 100th anniversary, the banner of peace which had been to the space station was presented to the Indian Parliament.