Car logos in the shape of a bird: decoding the symbols of 10 famous brands

Winged symbols on car emblems are not just a design decision, but a deep tradition rooted in the history of brands. Birds on car logos represent speed, freedom, striving forward, and even mythological connections. For example, the eagle Porsche refers to the coat of arms of Stuttgart, and the falcon Maserati - to the legendary trident of Neptune.

But why exactly did birds become the mascots of the auto industry? It's simple: birds are associated with flight, and a car is “wings” for a person. Today, such emblems are found in premium, sports and even budget brands. In this article we will analyze 10 Most Famous Bird Logos, their hidden meaning and the evolution of design. And also - how to distinguish the original emblem from a fake when buying a used car.

Have you ever wondered why Aston Martin chose the winged letter "A" and Bentley - a soaring eagle? Or why do Alfa Romeo does the emblem depict a man being devoured by a serpent, with a crowned bird on top? These details are not accidental: they reflect the philosophy of the brand, its historical roots and even the personal preferences of the founders. For example, enthusiasts know that the eagle is on Porsche - a tribute to the city of Stuttgart, where the company's headquarters is located, and its coat of arms has been decorated with a horse and an eagle since 1286.

Today, bird logos have become not only a status symbol, but also a collectible. On the secondary market, original emblems of rare models (for example, Bugatti Type 57 with a "dancing elephant" and a hidden bird) can cost thousands of dollars. And counterfeits of premium brands often reveal themselves precisely by the poor quality of their winged parts. In this article you will find practical advice, how to recognize a fake logo when buying a car, and find out what birds are “hiding” on the emblems of popular brands.

1. Porsche: eagle from the coat of arms of Stuttgart

Logo Porsche is one of the most recognizable in the world, and its central element is eagle - has a direct connection with the history of Germany. The fact is that the company's headquarters is located in Stuttgart, and this city has been using the image in its coat of arms since 1286 rearing horse and eagle. Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the brand, decided to immortalize this symbolism in the car emblem.

Interestingly, the first version of the logo appeared in 1952 and has remained virtually unchanged since then. The eagle holds in its talons shield with black and red stripes are the colors of the state of Württemberg, of which Stuttgart was once a part. And the deer's antlers above the bird's head refer to the coat of arms of the Württemberg royal house. Today this emblem adorns the hoods Porsche 911, Cayenne and even electric Taycan.

By the way, the eagle is on the logo Porsche always looks to the left - this is not an accident, but heraldic rule: in European tradition, the left side of the shield is considered more honorable. That is why many coats of arms and emblems “turn” in this direction.

• 🦅 Bird species: golden eagle (stylized)
• 🎨 Author of the design: Franz Xaver Reimspiess (1952)
• 🔍 How to distinguish the original: on fakes, eagle feathers often merge into one spot, but on the original, every outline is visible

2. Maserati: Neptune's trident and falcon

Emblem Maserati - this is a real puzzle for lovers of symbolism. In the center of the logo - Neptune's trident, which represents strength and power (a reference to Bologna, where the company was founded). But few people know that they hover above the trident falcon wings, and below is the inscription "Maserati" on a red background.

According to legend, the falcon was added to the logo in honor of one of the Maserati brothers - Alfieri, who was an avid bird lover. But the trident appeared thanks to the Neptune Fountain in the central square of Bolonia. Interestingly, until 1937 the emblem was blue, but then it was changed to the traditional red color, which is associated with Italy and speed.

Today logo Maserati can be seen on the hoods Ghibli, Quattroporte and supercar MC20. When buying a used car of this brand, pay attention to the quality of the emblem: on the original, the falcon wings have clear feathers, and a trident has symmetrical teeth. Fakes often have blurry outlines or incorrect proportions.

⚠️ Attention: Replicas of emblems are often found on the market. Maserati for tuning. Original parts are laser engraved with the serial number on the back.

3. Aston Martin: winged letter "A"

Logo Aston Martin is an example of minimalism with deep meaning. In the center of the emblem is a large letter "A", crowned wings, which symbolize speed and freedom. This emblem appeared in 1927 and has since undergone several changes, but the wings have remained a constant attribute.

It's interesting that the wings are on the logo Aston Martin not just a stylized element - they refer to aviation history brand. In the 1930s, the company even produced aircraft under the brand Aston Martin Aircraft. Today this emblem adorns the hoods of legendary models such as DB5 (James Bond's car) and a modern supercar Valkyrie.

When buying used Aston Martin Check the emblem for the following parts:

• 🔎 There must be wings symmetrical and have clear feather contours.
• 🎨 The letter "A" on the original has rounded edges, not spicy.
• 🛡️ On the back there should be a metal plate with the manufacturer’s logo.

4. Bentley: soaring eagle with wings spread

Emblem Bentley is the embodiment of luxury and power. At its center - eagle with spread wingswho holds the letter "in his claws"B". This logo appeared in 1920 and has since become a symbol of the British car industry. The eagle represents desire for victories (which is not surprising, because Bentley won races more than once 24 Hours of Le Mans).

Fun fact: in 1998, when Bentley was bought by the group Volkswagen, the logo was slightly changed - the eagle became more dynamic, and the letter “B” acquired a modern shape. Today this emblem can be seen on the hoods Continental GT, Flying Spur and even on a hybrid model Bentayga.

When inspecting a used Bentley please note:

• 🦅 Eagle Pose: on the original the bird is looking to the left, the wings are symmetrical.
• 🎨 Color: the emblem must be chrome or black (depending on the model).
• 🔧 Mount: The original emblems are secured with two bolts rather than glue.

5. Alfa Romeo: man, serpent and crowned bird

Logo Alfa Romeo - one of the most mysterious in the auto industry. It consists of two parts:

1. Left half: a red cross on a white background is the symbol of the Duchy of Milan.
2. Right half: image man being eaten by a snake, and from above - crowned bird.

According to legend, the bird on the emblem is Visperion (a mythological creature similar to a snake with wings), which was the symbol of the Visconti family, which ruled Milan in the Middle Ages. And the man being devoured by a snake is a reference to the Crusades and the family coat of arms D'Este. This logo appeared in 1910 and has since become the hallmark of the Italian brand.

Today's emblem Alfa Romeo can be seen on the hoods Giulia, Stelvio and legendary 4C. When buying a used car of this brand, check:

• 🐍 Serpent: on the original, its scales are drawn clearly, and do not merge into one spot.
• 👑 Crown: should have 5 teeth (on fakes there are often 3 or 4).
• 🎨 Colors: red and blue shades should be saturated, without streaks.

Why is there a man wearing a snake on the Alfa Romeo emblem?

According to legend, this is the symbol of the crusader Otto Visconti, who defeated the Sarmatian serpent, the enemy of the Duchy of Milan. The bird from above (visperion) is the mythological protector of the city.

6. Bugatti: Hidden bird on 60 diamond emblem

Logo Bugatti known for its luxury: on the emblems of some models (for example, Chiron) is used up to 60 diamonds. But few people know what is hidden in the logo design bird. We are talking about a stylized image stork - the symbol of Ettore Bugatti, the founder of the company.

According to legend, Ettore Bugatti was so superstitious that he believed that the stork brought good luck. Therefore, he added his silhouette to the brand logo. Today this bird is almost indistinguishable due to its abstract design, but if you look closely, it can be seen in the outline of the letter "B". Emblems Bugatti are made by hand and cost thousands of dollars - they are often stolen from cars, so the brand has developed a special mounting system with sensors.

Upon purchase Bugatti on the secondary market:

• 💎 Check the certificate of authenticity of the emblem (it is issued when purchasing a new car).
• 🔍 Inspect the fastenings: the original emblems are fixed on magnets with motion sensors.
• 🎨 The enamel color should be perfectly even, without bubbles or chips.

⚠️ Attention: Emblems are often found on the market Bugatti with "diamonds" made of rhinestones. The original stones are GIA certified and laser engraved.

7. Lamborghini: bull and hidden eagle

Logo Lamborghini is associated with a bull, but few people know what is hidden in its design bird. We're talking about Orle, which is depicted on the shield behind the bull. This element did not appear by chance: Ferruccio Lamborghini was a fan of Spanish bullfighting, and the eagle on the shield is a reference to the coat of arms of his hometown Renazzo di Cento.

It's interesting that the eagle is on the emblem Lamborghini holds in his claws snake - This is a symbol of victory over enemies. Today this emblem can be seen on the hoods Aventador, Huracán and hybrid Reventón. When buying a used car of this brand, pay attention to:

• 🐂 Bull: in the original, his horns have clear outlines rather than blurry lines.
• 🦅 Eagle: should be visible even on miniature emblems on wheel caps.
• 🎨 Color: The gold tint on the original is matte, not shiny.

Table: Comparison of bird logos

Brand	Bird species	Year of logo appearance	Hidden meaning	Where is the emblem located on the car?
Porsche	Berkut	1952	Coat of arms of Stuttgart	Hood, steering wheel center, wheel covers
Maserati	Falcon	1926	Connection with Brother Alfieri and Neptune	Hood, radiator grille
Aston Martin	Stylized wings	1927	Aviation past of the brand	Hood, trunk, steering wheel
Bentley	Eagle	1920	The desire to win races	Hood, radiator grille
Alfa Romeo	Visperion (mythological bird)	1910	Symbol of the Duchy of Milan	Hood, steering wheel center

FAQ: Questions about bird logos

🔍 Why do so many automakers use birds in their logos?

Birds symbolize speed, freedom and forward movement - qualities that automakers want to be associated with their cars. In addition, many brands borrow symbols from the coats of arms of the cities where they were founded (for example, Porsche and Stuttgart).

🚗 Is it possible to order an original emblem with a bird for your car?

Yes, but it depends on the brand. For example, Porsche and Bentley They sell original emblems through dealerships, but their cost can reach several thousand rubles. For Bugatti or Lamborghini Proof of ownership of the vehicle will be required.

⚠️ How to distinguish a fake emblem from the original one?

The original emblems have:

• Clear contours and symmetry.
• Metal or magnetic mounts (not glue).
• Certificates of authenticity (for premium brands).
• Laser engraved or serial number on the back.

Counterfeits often feature blurry details, incorrect colors, and plastic bases.

💰 How much can an original emblem with a bird cost?

Prices vary by brand:

• Porsche or Aston Martin: 5,000–15,000 rubles.
• Bentley or Maserati: 15,000–30,000 rubles.
• Bugatti (with diamonds): from 500,000 rubles.

On the secondary market, emblems of rare models can cost several times more.

🎨 Is it possible to change the logo on a car yourself?

Technically yes, but there are some nuances:

• For premium brands (Bentley, Bugatti) will require special tools.
• Some emblems (Porsche, Aston Martin) are attached with rivets, which are difficult to remove without damage.
• If the car is under warranty, replacing the emblem yourself may void it.

For safety, it is better to contact a car service.