Ploughshares

Ploughshares

Ploughshares are agricultural tools used for tilling soil and preparing it for planting. They consist of a blade or share that is attached to a wooden or metal frame, which is pulled through the soil by a team of animals or a tractor. The blade of a ploughshare is typically made of steel and is designed to cut through the soil, breaking up clumps and creating furrows for planting seeds. The frame of the ploughshare is often adjustable, allowing farmers to control the depth and width of the furrows they create. The use of ploughshares dates back to ancient times, when they were used by farmers in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and other early civilizations. Over time, ploughshares have been improved and refined, with different designs and materials used to make them more efficient and effective. Today, ploughshares are still widely used in agriculture, although they have been largely replaced by other tools and machinery in many parts of the world. In addition to their agricultural uses, ploughshares have also been used symbolically as a representation of peace. This symbolism comes from the biblical passage in Isaiah 2:4, which states, They shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. This passage has been interpreted to mean that weapons of war should be transformed into tools of peace and productivity.

agriculture, tilling, furrows, steel, symbolism

— Anthony Smith

CITATION : "Anthony Smith. 'Ploughshares.' Design+Encyclopedia. https://design-encyclopedia.com/?E=401471 (Accessed on July 16, 2025)"