History

In 1953, three University of Oregon students created a beautiful mosaic mural that has been a beloved part of Douglas High School for over 70 years. For decades, this mural has been an important part of Douglas High School, teaching students and visitors valuable lessons. Its message is as meaningful today as it was 70 years ago, impacting many who have attended or visited the school.

Symbols

There are two sides of the wall that have so much meaning. If you've aattended or visited Douglas High School, this wall has been seen. Each person who has seen the wall has their own perception and that's what makes this wall so remarkable.

On the first side, one of the most notable are the religious symbols at the top right of the mural. The cross represents Christianity, the half-moon and start is the Muslim symbol, the wheel of fire  is for the Buddists, the Jewish start of David, and the Taoist and Confician circle for brotherhood and friendship.

The white doves represent peace, while the sun shines upon all the creatures in the scene. The tree is that of brotherhood. The three races are also pictures in the view. They include the Caucasian, Negroid, and Mongoloid; and the Indian group.

On the other side of the mural are shown the hands of friendship in the center. The left side are various symbols. There is the wheel of progress, a pin for literature, the key to knowledge, the weights of chemestry, the emblem of medicine, a scale for architecture, Morse code representing communications (spelling peace), the eye of optometry, a numeral for mathematics, and an "a" for language.

There are two quotes on the wall, one on each side. One is "The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren" by Thomas Paine. The second quote is "Reason and free inquiry are the only effectual agents against error" by Thomas Jefferson.

These symbols are meaningful to each visitor, student, and alumni of Douglas High School as they express  the virtues and standards which everyone should follow.