The word "hammer and sickle" is often misspelled due to its unique pronunciation. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled as /ˈhæmər ənd ˈsɪkəl/. The "a" in "hammer" is pronounced as "æ" which is a short "a" sound. The "e" in "sickle" is pronounced as "ɪ" which is a short "i" sound. The "k" in "sickle" is silent, and the "l" at the end of the word is not pronounced. Therefore, the correct spelling of the word is "hammer and sickle."
The term "hammer and sickle" refers to a twin symbol representing the unity of the working class and peasantry, commonly associated with communism. The hammer symbolizes the industrial proletariat, while the sickle represents the agrarian peasantry. These tools epitomize the foundation of socialist ideology, emphasizing the cooperation and merging of the two major socio-economic classes in the revolutionary struggle against capitalism.
The hammer represents the labor of factories and industrial workers, indicating their pivotal role in constructing and advancing the socialist society. It stands for the power of the proletariat to create and build a new, classless, and egalitarian society. The sickle signifies the role of the peasantry, who are engaged in agricultural work and are viewed as key partners in the process of societal transformation. It represents the rural laborers' contribution to the collective well-being and emphasizes the importance of agriculture in supporting and nourishing the nation.
The hammer and sickle intertwined symbolize the alliance between the working class and the peasantry, underscoring the necessity of cooperation to ensure the success of the communist revolution. The emblem became prevalent during the 20th century as a visual representation of the Communist movement, particularly associated with the Soviet Union and later adopted in various communist countries worldwide. It became an enduring symbol of socialism and communism, often featured on flags, emblems, and insignias of political parties, organizations, and states advocating for these ideologies.