 The question:
"What's the story about the Circle and the Triangle?"
On May 21, 1993, AAWS released an unsigned document titled: "Follow-up Statement
Regarding Use of the Circle/Triangle Symbol." In it, AAWS stated that
"Alcoholics Anonymous will phase out the 'official' use of the circle and triangle
symbol in and on it's literature, letterheads and other material.
That action has generated a considerable amount of discussion because it was taken
without a conference action or a "group conscience".
So, what did our Co-founder Bill W. have to say about the circle/triangle symbol? Here
are his very words spoken in 1955, when the symbol was adopted by A.A.:
From cassette tape - 20th Anniversary Convention of A.A. - St. Louis, MO, July 1-3,
1955:
"Above us we see a banner and that banner shows a circle which is A.A.
circumscribing the world. Within it is a triangle...the base of the triangle (is the
foundation) of recovery on which we stand. The left of the triangle symbolizes our unity,
and the right of the triangle our arm of service. Such is the symbol of A.A.
I first saw it in Norway in 1950, but this symbol is not new with us. We have
attributed [a] particular significance to it, but in actuality, its significance is very
old.
Students of ancient days tell that centuries ago it was regarded by priests and witch
doctors alike as the symbol by which evil spirits could be kept away, and may that symbol
ever stand guard over the society of Alcoholics Anonymous.
(It's interesting to note that the symbol does still stand guard over the society of
Alcoholics Anonymous in Great Britain! This writer contacted the General Service Office in
Leeds, England and was told that they had no intention of taking the symbol off the
literature sold from that office. The Director of Publishing said to me: "It is the
symbol for A.A. isn't it?")
Thanks for asking the question.
wallyp@aabacktobasics.com
|