Installing the World Peace Tartan at the front of Tabor's sanctuary was a team effort between two of Tabor’s members, one of whom acquired the tartan and the other sewed it. We are thankful for their efforts to bring this lovely symbol of connectedness to our church.
Tartans are patterned cloth, representing familiar camaraderie and clanship, and are a tangible piece of history and a symbol of Scotland -- also the birthplace of the Presbyterian church. All tartans must be approved and registered through the Scottish Register of Tartans -- they are not plaid, though that is a more common pattern.
The World Peace tartan was designed by a Scotsman, Mr. Victor Spence, founder of the World Peace Initiative, a non-profit foundation that creates projects that “both build a culture of peace and non-violence and addresses child poverty world wide."
Mr. Spence presented the first World Peace Tartan scarf to the Dalai Lama. Others who wear this special scarf include Bishop Desmond Tutu, Pope Francis and Arun Gandhi (grandson of Mahatma Gandhi).
This new tartan stands out from its ancient clan counterparts: it is the World Peace Tartan. Woven exclusively at Edinburgh's Tartan Weaving Mill, the tartan was crafted as a global symbol of peace and cultural harmony.
Bold and blue, the interconnected colors each have their own meaning. The baby blue hues translate as the hope that rests within the United Nations, while purple and green tones represent the Scottish thistle. The red and black are reminders of the realities, violence, and devastation of war, and the utter need for a new living culture of non-violence and peace. The white running through the pattern provides a counterbalances, symbolic of peace and light.
Along with other sanctuary improvements, Tabor Presbyterian Church is now blessed with the goodwill that the World Peace Tartan represents. We are ever mindful of its symbolism and our commitment to serve God and the larger community.