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Overview
This banner was made for the Radiant Living movement which was active in New Zealand from the late 1930s until the late 1980s.
Founder and psychologist Dr Herbert Sutcliffe (1886-1971, England/New Zealand) taught a holistic philosophy of physical, mental and spiritual health. He had been involved with the internationally popular Radiant Health Club movement in Australia before founding the first School of Radiant Living in Providence, Rhode Island, USA, in 1931. He visited New Zealand in 1938 at a time when alternative health advocates found a ready audience. One of New Zealand's first Schools of Radiant Living was founded in Auckland in 1938.
Sutcliffe established his international headquarters at a property named Peloha (after PEace, LOve, HArmony) in Havelock North from 1942. Havelock North had long been a centre of alternative thought or liberal theology in New Zealand, including Quakers, Theosophists, and the Steiner movement. A total of 36 Radiant Living schools (24 overseas and 12 in New Zealand) were eventually established.
Sutcliffe argued that people were threefold beings consisting of body, mind and spirit. He was particularly influenced by Jung's belief in the importance of the soul. He believed that individual health and happiness could be achieved by changing diet, physical habits, attitudes and spiritual awareness. Good mental health was the key to better physical health, and vice versa. Music, singing and public speaking were also important.
Nutrition was important in Sutcliffe's teachings. The eliminating diet was prescribed to remove toxins from the body and mind. Dietary advice included a high intake of colourful and organic fresh fruit, vegetables and juices, foreshadowing much later mainstream dietary advice. Food combining was also practiced (e.g. not eating carbohydrates and proteins together). Sutcliffe was also interested in homoeopathy, vitamin therapy (he ran a mail-order business in herbs and vitamins) and motivational sports psychology. Physical fitness was also important, and each Radiant Living school taught a variety of exercises including ones for better breathing and eyesight. Peloha was a health homestay retreat providing healthy food and mindfulness.
Radiant Living's spirituality was based on liberal Christianity and rituals such as the 'rebirth' at Easter were important celebrations. People were seen as part of God with unlimited positive potential. Evil was created by humans (out of fear and anxiety) and could therefore be overcome. These teachings were practised by hundreds of people and promoted by Accredited Teachers of Radiant Living, and were part of what we now call the 'new age'.
Radiant Living thrived in New Zealand from the 1940s to the 1970s. Many schools built or purchased their own premises. Annual banquets were often attended by mayors, members of parliament and other dignitaries.
Herbert Sutcliffe was a charismatic speaker and recorded many of his lectures on wire recordings. For formal occasions at Peloha he wore a Masonic-style royal-blue gown. He taught that dark colours had negative associations and encouraged members to bring bright colour into their lives. This embroidered banner was one of two which were hung during lectures at Peloha. This radiant sun banner hung in front of the lectern. The colours in this banner - yellow and blue - were key colours of the movement. The rising sun symbol used by Thomas Edmond's baking company was popular with such movements and was also used by Sutcliffe.