Flame of Peace

The Flame of Peace (torch) is located inside the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. The pedestal represents the shape of two hands pressed together at the wrist, with palms outstretched towards the sky. It was built to express condolence for victims unable to satisfy their thirst for water, as well as the desire for nuclear abolition and enduring world peace. The flame was lit in 1964 and will continue to burn until nuclear weapons no longer exist. Every year the Flame of Peace Relay is held and the relay torch is lit from here and then makes a loop around the cities, towns and villages of Hiroshima Prefecture.