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

By Stephy Chung, CNN
Updated 10:34 PM EST, Sun November 15, 2015
French graphic designer Jean Jullien's image of 'Peace for Paris' (the combination of a peace sign and an Eiffel Tower), has spread across the world, as people have adopted it to show support for French citizens, following a spate of deadly attacks in Paris on November 13. The Washington Square Park arch in New York is lit with the French national colors. This New Yorker wears the 'Peace for Paris' symbol on his back.
French graphic designer Jean Jullien's image of 'Peace for Paris' (the combination of a peace sign and an Eiffel Tower), has spread across the world, as people have adopted it to show support for French citizens, following a spate of deadly attacks in Paris on November 13. The Washington Square Park arch in New York is lit with the French national colors. This New Yorker wears the 'Peace for Paris' symbol on his back.
JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images
Candles read "peace" at a temporary memorial for the victims of the Paris attacks in Rennes, western France.
Candles read "peace" at a temporary memorial for the victims of the Paris attacks in Rennes, western France.
David Vincent/AP
A baby is spotted with a peace symbol of the Eiffel Tower on her cheek, as people gather in a solidarity rally with the French people in Milan, Italy on Saturday.
A baby is spotted with a peace symbol of the Eiffel Tower on her cheek, as people gather in a solidarity rally with the French people in Milan, Italy on Saturday.
DANIELE MASCOLO/ANSA/EPA
A man wears a shirt with a sign combining a peace symbol with the Eiffel tower in front of the Brandenburg Gate near the French embassy in Berlin.
A man wears a shirt with a sign combining a peace symbol with the Eiffel tower in front of the Brandenburg Gate near the French embassy in Berlin.
TOBIAS SCHWARZ/AFP/Getty Images
A human chain of 300 people formed the symbol of peace on the Place Stanislas in honor of the 128 victims and 300 injured.
A human chain of 300 people formed the symbol of peace on the Place Stanislas in honor of the 128 victims and 300 injured.
Maxppp/Landov
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones is shown wearing a Paris peace symbol drawn on his cleat during the first half of an NCAA football game against the Illinois Fighting Illini in Champaign, Illinois.
Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Cardale Jones is shown wearing a Paris peace symbol drawn on his cleat during the first half of an NCAA football game against the Illinois Fighting Illini in Champaign, Illinois.
Billy Hurst/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA
Hundreds of people gathered outside the French Embassy in Athens to light candles, and lay flowers, honoring those killed in the terrorist attacks in Paris.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the French Embassy in Athens to light candles, and lay flowers, honoring those killed in the terrorist attacks in Paris.
Theodoros Karakozidis/Demotix/Corbis
A woman shops for produce next to a peace sign drawn in solidarity to the people of Paris in New York's Union Square on Saturday, a day after the attacks.
A woman shops for produce next to a peace sign drawn in solidarity to the people of Paris in New York's Union Square on Saturday, a day after the attacks.
Mary Altaffer/AP
The Boston Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings stand on the ice while the French national anthem is played before an NHL hockey game in Boston. The symbol for 'Peace for Paris' appears above the rink.
The Boston Bruins and the Detroit Red Wings stand on the ice while the French national anthem is played before an NHL hockey game in Boston. The symbol for 'Peace for Paris' appears above the rink.
Michael Dwyer/AP
People hold peace signs as they gather during a memorial event in Hong Kong on November 14, 2015 for victims of the Paris terror attacks.
People hold peace signs as they gather during a memorial event in Hong Kong on November 14, 2015 for victims of the Paris terror attacks.
Xaume Olleros/Getty Images
People gather around the statue of Marianne, symbol of the French Republic, to lay flowers and light candles in tribute to the victims of deadly attacks that struck Paris.
People gather around the statue of Marianne, symbol of the French Republic, to lay flowers and light candles in tribute to the victims of deadly attacks that struck Paris.
Maya Vidon/ZUMAPRESS
Peace for Paris: Jean Jullien illustrates unifying symbol in wake of Paris attacks

Story highlights

Jean Jullien hand-paints unifying symbol in response to Paris attacks

He posted the image on his Instagram feed

The image has since spread around the world

CNN  — 

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.
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.
MARIUS BECKER/DPA /LANDOV
Police are out in force November 14 near La Belle Equipe, one of the sites of the terror attacks.
Police are out in force November 14 near La Belle Equipe, one of the sites of the terror attacks.
Loic Venance/AFP/Getty Images
Forensic police search for evidence inside the Comptoir Voltaire cafe after the attacks.
Forensic police search for evidence inside the Comptoir Voltaire cafe after the attacks.
Kenzo Tribouillard/AFP/Getty Images
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.
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.
Christophe Ena/AP
Security forces evacuate people on Rue Oberkampf near the Bataclan concert hall early on November 14.
Security forces evacuate people on Rue Oberkampf near the Bataclan concert hall early on November 14.
MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images
Medics evacuate an injured woman on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire near the Bataclan early on November 14.
Medics evacuate an injured woman on Boulevard des Filles du Calvaire near the Bataclan early on November 14.
Thierry Chesnot/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Police, firefighters and rescue workers secure the area near the Bataclan concert hall on November 14.
Police, firefighters and rescue workers secure the area near the Bataclan concert hall on November 14.
FRANCOIS GUILLOT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
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.
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.
ETIENNE LAURENT/EPA
Police officers patrol the area around Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on November 14.
Police officers patrol the area around Notre Dame cathedral in Paris on November 14.
IAN LANGSDON/EPA/EPA /LANDOV
Police officers patrol Paris' Saint-German neighborhood on November 14.
Police officers patrol Paris' Saint-German neighborhood on November 14.
IAN LANGSDON/EPA
Victims of the shooting at the Bataclan concert venue in central Paris are evacuated to receive medical treatment on November 14.
Victims of the shooting at the Bataclan concert venue in central Paris are evacuated to receive medical treatment on November 14.
Maya Vidon/Zuma Press
A woman is evacuated from the Bataclan theater early on November 14.
A woman is evacuated from the Bataclan theater early on November 14.
Thibault Camus/AP
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.
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.
SIPA/AP