French illustrator Jean Jullien’s unifying symbol for peace shared worldwide

Before the names and faces of the victims of Friday’s terrorist attack in Paris emerged, there was one unifying symbol.

A simple image shared by millions across social media: the combination of a peace sign and the Eiffel Tower.

Jean Jullien, the 32-year-old French graphic designer behind the image, posted it onto his Instagram and Twitter on Friday, soon after a series of terror attacks in the French capital – since claimed by ISIS – left 129 people dead and 352 injured.

Full coverage of Paris terror attacks

“It was the most spontaneous thing. I heard the news on the radio, and I had this heartfelt reaction. I wanted to draw something that could symbolize peace and solidarity, and I wanted something with the context of Paris,” Jullien tells CNN.

‘Peace for Paris’ appears around the world

Besides social media platforms, Jullien’s illustration is being used in a public show of support – hand-drawn onto posters, shirts, and in other ways of commemorating the victims. Photos from around the world have captured people using the sign.

“The response has been overwhelming – especially since I didn’t have any control over it. But I can’t feel pride or happiness because it is such a dark time. It’s undesired exposure. A horrible moment. But, I’m just somehow glad people made use of it.”

A forensic scientist works near a Paris cafe on Saturday, November 14, following a series of coordinated attacks in Paris the night before that killed scores of people. ISIS has claimed responsibility.

Police are out in force November 14 near La Belle Equipe, one of the sites of the terror attacks.

Forensic police search for evidence inside the Comptoir Voltaire cafe after the attacks.

Shoes and a bloody shirt lie outside the Bataclan concert hall on November 14. Most of the fatalities occurred at the Bataclan in central Paris.

Security forces evacuate people on Rue Oberkampf near the Bataclan concert hall early on November 14.

Medics evacuate an injured woman on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire near the Bataclan early on November 14.

Police, firefighters and rescue workers secure the area near the Bataclan concert hall on November 14.

A man with blood on his shirt talks on the phone on November 14. He is next to the Bataclan theater, where gunmen shot concertgoers and held hostages until police raided the building.

Police officers patrol the area around Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on November 14.

Police officers patrol Paris' Saint-German neighborhood on November 14.

Victims of the shooting at the Bataclan concert venue in central Paris are evacuated to receive medical treatment on November 14.

A woman is evacuated from the Bataclan theater early on November 14.

Forensics are working in the street of Paris after the terrorist attack on Friday, November 13. The words "horror," "massacre" and "war" peppered the front pages of the country's newspapers, conveying the shell-shocked mood.

Rescuers evacuate an injured person near the Stade de France, one of several sites of attacks November 13 in Paris. Thousands of fans were watching a soccer match between France and Germany when the attacks occurred.

A survivor of the terrorist attack in the Bataclan is assisted following terror attacks, November 13. The violence at the Bataclan, which involved a hostage-taking, resulted in the highest number of casualties of all the attacks.

Spectators invade the pitch of the Stade de France stadium after the international friendly soccer match between France and Germany in Saint-Denis.

Spectators embrace each other as they stand on the playing field of the Stade de France stadium at the end of a soccer match between France and Germany in Saint-Denis, outside Paris, on November 13.

A body, covered by a sheet, is seen on the sidewalk outside the Bataclan theater.

Rescuers evacuate an injured person on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire, close to the Bataclan concert hall in central Paris.

Wounded people are evacuated outside the scene of a hostage situation at the Bataclan theater in Paris on November 13.

A medic tends to a wounded man following the attacks near the Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire.

A woman walks past police and firefighters in the Oberkampf area of Paris.

A riot police officer stands by an ambulance near the Bataclan concert hall in central Paris.

Wounded people are evacuated outside the Bataclan concert hall.

Police secure the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, north of Paris, following explosions during the soccer match between France and Germany.

A wounded man is evacuated from the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, outside Paris.

Spectators gather on the field of the Stade de France after the attacks. Explosions were heard during the soccer match between France and Germany.

French security forces rush in as people are evacuated in the area of Rue Bichat in the 10th District of Paris.

People leave the Stade de France after explosions were heard near the stadium during a soccer match between France and Germany on Friday. Paris Deputy Mayor Patrick Klugman told CNN President Francois Hollande was at the match and was evacuated at halftime.

Victims lay on the pavement outside a Paris restaurant.

Rescue workers and medics tend to victims at the scene of one of the shootings, a restaurant in the 10th District. Attackers reportedly used AK-47 automatic weapons in separate attacks across Paris, and there were explosions at the Stade de France.

French security forces move people in the area of Rue Bichat in the 10th District. A witness told BFMTV that firefighters were on the scene to treat the injured.

Night of terror: Paris attacks

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Of its reach, Jullien says he thinks the social role of graphics is a powerful.

“People think it’s just an everyday tool to sell things like cars or advertise products, but graphic arts is a means of expression beyond words.

“Words can sometimes be difficult to translate. I think the simpler, the better, the more universally understood it can be.”

Jullien runs a studio in London, where he is currently based. His practice includes illustrations, photography and moving image.

Charlie Hebdo response

While he doesn’t often engage in politics in his work, an illustration he created earlier this year, was also widely shared.

This image, a pencil facing off with the barrel of a gun, was a response to shootings at the offices of French satirical newspaper, Charlie Hebdo, in Paris earlier this year.

“At the time, it was the same. Illustration is my job, and it’s my only way of expressing myself.”

Some interpret base of Eiffel Tower as cross

Thousands on social media, says Jullien, have pointed to the base of the Eiffel Tower in the ‘Peace for Paris’ symbol, and asked him if it’s the depiction of a cross.

Jullien says he didn’t intend for that.

Eiffel Tower closed, travel plans impacted by Paris attacks

“That’s the beauty of an image, people can see what they can see. And if it helps with their faith, than I’m fine with that. But it wasn’t designed this way. What I hope is that in the wake of tragedy, there is a symbol of peace, unity and something positive. Instead of just anger, there is hope.”

President Barack Obama, French President Francois Hollande, second from right, and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo arrive at the Bataclan, site of one of the Paris terrorists attacks, to pay their respects to the victims after Obama arrived in town for the COP21 climate change conference early on Monday, November 30, in Paris.

The Eiffel Tower in Paris is illuminated in the French national colors on Monday, November 16. Displays of support for the French people were evident at landmarks around the globe after the deadly terrorist attacks in Paris on Friday, November 13.

People hold hands as they observe a minute of silence in Lyon, France, on November 16, three days after the Paris attacks. A minute of silence was observed throughout the country in memory of the victims of the country's deadliest violence since World War II.

French President Francois Hollande, center, flanked by French Prime Minister Manuel Valls, right, and French Education Minister Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, center left, stands among students during a minute of silence in the courtyard of the Sorbonne University in Paris on November 16.

A large crowd gathers to lay flowers and candles in front of the Carillon restaurant in Paris on Sunday, November 15.

A man sits next to candles lit as homage to the victims of the deadly attacks in Paris at a square in Rio de Janeiro on November 15.

People light candles in tribute to the Paris victims on November 15 in Budapest, Hungary.

People gather outside Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on November 15 for a national service for the victims of the city's terror attacks.

People write messages on the ground at Place de la Republique in Paris on November 15.

People pray during a candlelight vigil for victims of the Paris attacks at a church in Islamabad, Pakistan, on November 15.

French golfer Gregory Bourdy passes a peace symbol for the Paris victims during the BMW Shanghai Masters tournament November 15 in Shanghai, China.

A man offers a prayer in memory of victims of the Paris attacks at the French Embassy in Tokyo on November 15.

A woman holds a candle atop a miniature replica of the Eiffel Tower during a candlelight vigil Saturday, November 14, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Front pages of Japanese newspapers in Tokyo show coverage and photos of the Paris attacks on November 14.

An electronic billboard on a canal in Milan, Italy reads, in French, "I'm Paris," on November 14.

The Eiffel Tower stands dark as a mourning gesture on November 14, in Paris. More than 125 people were killed in a series of coordinated attacks in Paris on Friday. People around the world reacted in horror to the deadly terrorist assaults.

Lithuanians hold a candlelight vigil in front of the French Embassy in Vilnius, Lithuania, on November 14.

Thousands gather in London's Trafalgar Square for a candlelit vigil on November 14 to honor the victims of the Paris attacks.

A woman lights candles at a memorial near the Bataclan theater in Paris on November 14.

A man places a candle in front of Le Carillon cafe in Paris on November 14.

A woman holds a French flag during a gathering in Stockholm, Sweden, on November 14.

Nancy Acevedo prays for France during the opening prayer for the Sunshine Summit being held at Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando, Florida on November 14.

French soldiers of the United Nations' interim forces in Lebanon observe the national flag at half-staff at the contingent headquarters in the village of Deir Kifa on November 14.

A couple surveys the signature sails of the Sydney Opera House lit in the colors of the French flag in Sydney on November 14.

A woman places flowers in front of the French Consulate in St. Petersburg, Russia, on November 14.

Candles are lit in Hong Kong on November 14 to remember the scores who died in France.

A woman lights a candle outside the French Consulate in Barcelona, Spain, on November 14.

Britain's Prince Charles expresses solidarity with France at a birthday barbecue in his honor near Perth, Australia, on November 14.

The French national flag flutters at half-staff on November 14 at its embassy in Beijing.

Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte after a speech on November 14 in The Hague following the attacks.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe becomes emotional after his speech on the French attacks during the opening ceremony of a Japanese garden in Istanbul, Turkey, on November 14.

A woman mourns outside Le Carillon bar in the 10th district of Paris on November 14. The attackers ruthlessly sought out soft targets where people were getting their weekends underway.

People lay flowers outside the French Embassy in Moscow on November 14.

Mourners gather outside Le Carillon bar in the 10th district of Paris on November 14. "We were listening to music when we heard what we thought were the sounds of firecrackers," a doctor from a nearby hospital who was drinking in the bar with colleagues told Le Monde. "A few moments later, it was a scene straight out of a war. Blood everywhere."

People attend a vigil outside the French Consulate in Montreal. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered "all of Canada's support" to France on Friday, November 13, in the wake of the attacks.

Police show a heightened presence in Times Square in New York on November 13, following the terrorist attacks in Paris.

People light candles at a vigil outside the French Consulate in Montreal on November 13.

University of Nevada, Las Vegas, fans observe a moment of silence for the victims of the terrorist attacks in Paris before a basketball game November 13.

The house lights are shut off and scoreboard dark as Boston Celtics players pause for a moment of silence for the Paris victims before an NBA basketball game against the Atlanta Hawks in Boston on November 13.

People light candles at a vigil outside the French Consulate in Montreal on November 13.

World reacts to Paris attacks

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