Have you ever wondered why the emblem BMW resembles a spinning propeller, and the logo Ferrari decorated with a rearing stallion? Car logos are more than just pretty pictures on the hood. They carry within themselves brand history, the philosophy of the creators and sometimes even coded technical details. For example, three diamonds Audi symbolize the merger of four companies, and the emblem Volvo refers to the ancient Roman god of war Mars - as a sign of reliability.
In this article we will look at meaning of emblems of 60+ car brands - from legendary German manufacturers to young Chinese brands. You will learn how the logo Porsche associated with the coat of arms of Stuttgart, why do Mazda the stylized letter "M" looks like wings, and what does the emblem have in common? Lamborghini with zodiac signs. And also - 5 little-known facts, which they won’t tell you at the car dealership.
How the first car emblems appeared: a historical excursion
The first logos on cars appeared at the end of the 19th century, but they were more functionalthan decorative. For example, on steam engines they applied factory name or serial number for identification. That all changed in the 1900s when automakers realized the power of branding.
One of the first artistic logos invented by the company Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (predecessor Mercedes-Benz). In 1902, they registered a three-pointed star - a symbol land, water and air routes, which will conquer their engines. But Ford until 1907, it did without an emblem at all - Henry Ford believed that “a good car sells itself.”
- 🕰️ 1898 — Renault uses Louis Renault's initials as a monogram (still the basis of the logo).
- 🦅 1904 — Rolls-Royce chooses the statue “Spirit of Ecstasy” - a winged woman symbolizing speed and freedom.
- 🔧 1909 — Bugatti places the founder's initials in an oval, which has become standard for luxury brands.
- 🌍 1916 — BMW registers a round logo with the Bavarian colors (blue and white), which is later associated with the propeller.
Interestingly, until the 1920s, many emblems were voluminous — they were cast from metal and attached to the radiator. For example, the famous "flying eagle" Packard or winged figure Hisso. Today such logos are rare, but collectors are willing to pay thousands of dollars for them.
German precision: decoding the emblems of Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Volkswagen
German automakers are famous not only for quality, but also symbolism of their logos. Let's take Mercedes-Benz: their three-pointed star in a circle appeared in 1926 after a merger Daimler and Benz. The three rays represent dominance on land, water and air, and the circle is global brand. Few people know, but the original 1909 logo was four-pointed star — the fourth ray symbolized space!
Logo BMW often explained as a "rotating airplane propeller" (the company actually produced aircraft engines in 1917–1918). However, the official version is different: blue and white sectors are the colors of the Bavarian flag, reversed due to local heraldry laws. But round shape really references aviation.
| Brand | Year of logo appearance | Hidden meaning | Interesting fact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercedes-Benz | 1926 | Three rays - earth, water, air; circle - globality | The original 1909 logo had fourth ray (space) |
| BMW | 1917 | Bavarian flag colors in a circle (aviation heritage) | In the 1990s the company banned association with a propeller in advertising |
| Audi | 1932 | Four rings - fusion DKW, Horch, Audi, Wanderer | Until 1965, rings were black and white |
| Volkswagen | 1937 | Stylized V and W in a circle ("people's car") |
The logo was created by an engineer Franz Reimspiess, having won the competition |
Audi with its four rings is a visualization of the merger of four companies in 1932: DKW, Horch, Audi and Wanderer. At the same time the name Audi (Latin "listen") taken from the founder's surname Augusta Horch (Horch in German it means "listen"). A logo Volkswagen with its simple letter V over W in a circle was invented back in 1937 for the “people's car” - Beetle.
⚠️ Attention: If you see the logo BMW with propeller in the center - it's a fake! The official logo never explicitly featured a propeller, despite the myth.
Italian temperament: Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and Maserati
Italian automakers approach their logos with artistic scope. Let's take Ferrari: their famous black stallion on a yellow background - a tribute to the pilot Francesco Baracce, who put a similar emblem on his plane. Baracca's mother, Countess Paolina, told Enzo Ferrari: "Draw a stallion on your cars - it will bring good luck." And the yellow background is the color of Ferrari's hometown, Modena.
Logo Lamborghini associated with the bull zodiac sign founder Ferruccio Lamborghini (Taurus). Legend has it that he chose the bull after attending a bullfight in Spain, where he was impressed by the animal's strength. By the way, all models Lamborghini named after fighting bulls (for example, Murciélago - the name of the bull that killed the bullfighter in 1879).
- 🏁 Alfa Romeo: The red cross is the coat of arms of Milan, and the snake is the symbol of the Visconti family, which ruled the city in the Middle Ages.
- 🎨 Maserati: Neptune's trident is taken from the fountain in Piazza Bologna, where the Maserati brothers grew up.
- 🐎 Pagani: The winged lion logo refers to the coat of arms San Marino, where the headquarters is located.
- 🔥 Abarth: Scorpio is the zodiac sign of founder Karl Abarth (and a symbol of his aggressive nature).
Maserati with his Neptune trident - a tribute to the hometown of the Maserati brothers, Bologna. A logo Alfa Romeo combines two elements: red cross (coat of arms of Milan) and snake, devouring a man (symbol of the Visconti family). This snake, by the way, is called Biscione and is one of the oldest heraldic symbols in Italy.
Why does Ferrari have a stallion with its tail raised?
Enzo Ferrari chose this particular pose because it symbolizes victory and strength. In heraldry, the stallion's raised tail means "ready for battle" - this refers to the racing ambitions of the brand. By the way, the original sketch of the logo was made by Enzo himself on a napkin in a restaurant!
Japanese philosophy: Toyota, Honda, Nissan and other Asian brands
Japanese automakers often invest in logos philosophical ideas. For example, the logo Toyota consists of three ovals: the two inner ones form a letter T, and the outer oval symbolizes global unity and the heart of the client. The design took 5 years to develop and cost $100 million!
Logo Honda is a stylized letter H in a rectangle, but with a hidden meaning: the upper crossbar is longer than the lower one, which symbolizes technical progress. And the emblem Mazda (stylized letter M in an oval) resembles wings, referring to the god Ahura Mazda from Zoroastrianism - a source of inspiration for the founder of the company.
| Brand | Symbolism | Unique detail |
|---|---|---|
| Toyota | Three ovals = heart of the client + global expansion | The logo cannot be drawn in one motion (check!) |
| Honda | Letter H with the "ladder of progress" |
In the 1960s the logo was redlike the flag of Japan |
| Mazda | Stylized M + wings (connection with Zoroastrianism) |
The first logo (1936) depicted stylized waterfall |
| Nissan | Circle with a name - simplicity and reliability | Until 1983, the logo was red-blue (Japanese flag colors) |
Emblem Subaru - this is constellation Pleiades (Japanese name - Subaru). The six stars symbolize the five subsidiaries and the parent company Fuji Heavy Industries. A logo Mitsubishi (three diamonds) based on the clan coat of arms Iwasaki - founders of the company. The name translates as "three diamonds" (mitsu - three, hishi - rhombus).
If you see the logo Toyota with red oval - this is the logo of the subsidiary brand Lexus for the US market (1989–2001).
American giants: Ford, Chevrolet, Tesla and others
American automakers often choose simple and memorable logos. Emblem Ford is a stylized signature of Henry Ford created in 1907. Interestingly, the original logo was blue and white, and the famous blue oval appeared only in 1927.
Chevrolet with his "bow tie" has two versions of origin:
1. Founder Louis Chevrolet inspired by wallpaper in a Parisian hotel.
2. The logo is copied from the emblem of the Swiss racer, which co-founder William Durant saw.
Officially, the company adheres to the first version.
- ⚡ Tesla: letter
Tis not only an abbreviation, but also electric motor cross section (according to Elon Musk). - 🦅 Cadillac: family coat of arms d'Estrade (founder of Detroit) with a swallow - a symbol of travel.
- 🏎️ Corvette: two flags (checkerboard + pennant with emblem Chevrolet) symbolize racing heritage.
- 🛡️ Jeep: stylized radiator grille Willys MB - the first jeep for the US Army (1941).
Logo Tesla often perceived as a simple letter T, but Elon Musk claims that this is motor cross section. And the emblem Harley-Davidson (bar-and-shield) appeared in 1910 and has remained almost unchanged - a record of stability among automakers!
⚠️ Attention: If you see the logo Chevrolet with golden rim, this is the logo of the premium division Chevrolet SS (2013–2017), which competed with BMW M.
French chic: Peugeot, Renault, Citroën and Bugatti
French automakers are famous elegant and artistic logos. Emblem Peugeot in the form standing lion appeared in 1847 - long before cars! At that time the company produced saws and tools, and the lion symbolized strength, flexibility and speed blades. The modern logo (2021) is a stylized lion head in a shield.
Renault has been using the diamond since 1925, but its meaning has changed. At first it was simple geometric element, and today the rhombus symbolizes diamond - as a sign of strength and innovation. Logo Citroën with its "double chevrons" taken from the patent for gears, which were produced by founder Andre Citroen in 1900.
- 🦁 Peugeot: the lion in the logo is looking left (in heraldry this means “forward to the future”).
- 💎 Renault: rhombus-diamond has exact proportions (aspect ratio 1:1.732).
- ⚙️ Citroën: chevrons are inverted V letters (Victory - victory).
- 🐾 Bugatti: 60 red dots around the edge of the oval logo are rivets, like the racing cars of the 1920s.
Logo Bugatti - this is a masterpiece of heraldry: oval with initials Ettore Bugatti, surrounded by 60 red dots (symbol rivets on the body Type 35). And the emblem DS Automobiles (premium brand Citroën) are stylized wings of the goddess of victory Nike, which refers to the racing success of the brand.
Leo Peugeot must look to the left|Rhombus Renault has strictly 4 equal sides|Chevrons Citroën do not touch the edges of the logo|On the logo Bugatti exactly 60 red dots -->
Exotic and new: logos of Chinese, Korean and electric cars
Modern automakers from Asia and electric car startups are approaching their logos minimalist. For example, the logo Tesla (letter T) or Lucid Motors (stylized ray of light) reflect a futuristic approach. And Chinese brands often use national symbols:
- 🐉 Hongqi ("Red Flag"): logo with golden dragon - a symbol of power in China.
- 🏯 BYD: three blue ovals symbolize heaven, earth and man (feng shui philosophy).
- ⚡ NIO: the blue line above the gray is sky and road, and the name means "new day".
- 🌊 Hyundai: oval logo is two hands (client and company) shaking hands.
- 🔄 Kia: letter
Kin the oval symbolizes going beyond (from the Korean "kia" - "to rise from").
Emblem Rivian (American electric car startup) is a stylized compass needle, referring to adventure and exploration. A logo Polestar (Swedish brand from Volvo) - two stars symbolizing North Star as a reference point in the world of electric vehicles.
Chinese Zeekr (premium division Geely) uses a logo in the form stylized letter Z, which is at the same time similar to lightning - a sign of speed and innovation. And the emblem XPeng with her winged horse refers to a mythical creature from Chinese mythology - Tianma, symbolizing freedom.
Electric car logos often avoid traditional “machine” elements (wheels, radiator grilles), relying on abstraction and futurism.
FAQ: answers to frequently asked questions about car emblems
Why does BMW have a logo that looks like a propeller if it's not official?
Although BMW never confirmed to be a propeller connection, the myth stems from a 1929 advertisement in which an airplane with a logo on the fuselage created optical illusions of rotation. The logo itself (blue and white sectors) is Bavarian flag colors, inverted due to heraldic rules.
What is the oldest emblem currently in existence?
The oldest logo in continuous use is the Peugeot (since 1847, but then it was a tool manufacturing company). Among “purely automotive” brands, the record is Mercedes-Benz (three-pointed star since 1909).
Why does Lamborghini have a bull and Ferrari a stallion?
Ferruccio Lamborghini (Taurus zodiac sign) chose a bull after visiting a bullfight in Spain. Enzo Ferrari took a stallion in honor of the pilot Francesco Baracchi, whose mother recommended this symbol to him as a talisman. This reflects the difference in the characters of the founders: Lamborghini was stubborn, Ferrari - passionate.
Which logos have changed the most?
Record holder for changes - Toyota (11 times since 1935). In second place Volkswagen (9 times), on the third - BMW (7 times, but since 1917). The most stable logo is Harley-Davidson (since 1910 almost unchanged).
Are there emblems with hidden technical details?
Yes! For example:
- Logo Tesla - section electric motor.
- Emblem Mazda reminds wings, but it is also a stylized letter
Mand symbol Zoroastrian fire. - U Subaru six stars in the logo are constellation Pleiades, but they also symbolize the five subsidiaries and the parent FHI.