Arm and hammer

This article is about the symbol. For the brand, see Arm & Hammer. For other uses, see Arm and hammer (disambiguation).

The arm and hammer is a symbol consisting of a muscular arm holding a hammer. Used in ancient times as a symbol of the god Vulcan, it came to be known as a symbol of industry, for example blacksmithing and gold-beating. It has been used as a symbol by many different kinds of organizations, including banks, local government, and socialist political parties.

Arm-and-hammer symbol at the Mechanics' Bank and Trust Company Building in Knoxville, Tennessee

It has been used in heraldry, appearing in the coat of arms of Birmingham and seal of Wisconsin.

The Arm & Hammer brand is a registered trademark of Church & Dwight, an American manufacturer of household products. According to the company, the logo originally represented Vulcan.^[1] Oilman and philanthropist Armand Hammer, who was named after the symbol by his socialist father, eventually acquired a controlling interest and joined the board of directors due to his name. He remained an owner until his death in 1990.^[2]

An arm-and-hammer sign can be seen in Manette Street, Soho, symbolizing the trade of gold-beating carried on there in the nineteenth century. It is referred to by Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities.^[3] As of 2016, the sign there is a replica, with the original being held in the Dickens Museum.^[4]

One of the oldest visualizations of arm and hammer can be found on Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. It was completed in 1029 by the medieval Georgian architect Arsukidze, although the site itself dates back to the early fourth century.

Gallery

• 
  Svetitskhoveli Cathedral - The Hand of the Architect
• 
  The logo of Arm & Hammer
• 
  Coat of arms of Hory (Karlovy Vary District)
• 
  Coat of arms of the Hungarian Várallyay family
• 
  Coat of arms of Birmingham
• 
  Coat of arms of Wisconsin
• 
  Coat of arms of Luigi Maglione
• 
  Coat of arms of the Eskilstuna Municipality
• 
  Emblem of the Socialist Labour Party
• 
  Flag of Donetsk

See also

• Hammer and pick
• Hammer and sickle
• Fist and rose
• Armand Hammer
• We Can Do It!