Trident on a car: whose emblem is this and how to recognize it?

Have you ever noticed a car with an emblem like trident and wondered, whose logo is this? This symbol immediately catches the eye - three prongs against the background of a shield or circle, often made in silver or blue. It turns out that behind this badge there is a rich history associated with one of the legendary Italian car brands.

In this article we will not only reveal, what brand uses trident as our own emblem, but we will also dive into the history of its origin, figure out which models this logo is found on today, and even learn to distinguish the original sign from fakes. You will also learn several little-known facts that will deepen your understanding of automotive symbolism.

The trident is a symbol of which car brand?

Emblem with trident owned by an Italian automaker Maserati. This logo has become the hallmark of the brand since its founding in 1914. Interestingly, the trident was not chosen by chance - it has deep historical roots associated with the city of Bologna, where the company was born.

The trident symbol is inspired by a fountain. Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune), which is located in the central square of Bologna. According to legend, it was this fountain, created in the 16th century, that became the prototype for the emblem. The trident in the hand of the god of the seas, Neptune, symbolizes strength, power and connection with the water element - which would seem strange for a car brand. However, the founders Maserati They saw in this symbol not only a historical reference, but also a desire for speed, power and overcoming resistance (in this case, air, as an analogue of water).

• 🔹 Year the brand was founded: 1914
• 🔹 Place of birth: Bologna, Italy
• 🔹 Founders: Maserati brothers (Alfieri, Bindo, Carlo, Ettore and Ernesto)
• 🔹 The first model with a trident: Maserati Tipo 26 (1926)

Today Maserati is synonymous with luxury, sportiness and Italian design. The trident logo appears on the hoods of such legendary models as Ghibli, Quattroporte and GranTurismo. But few people know that initially the emblem was not blue, but red - the color was changed in 1937, when the company changed its owner.

The evolution of the Maserati logo: how the trident changed

For more than a century of history Maserati The trident emblem has undergone several significant changes. The first version, which appeared in the 1920s, was designed as red shield with a golden trident and an inscription MASERATI BOLONIA at the top. This design lasted until 1937, when the company was sold to the Orsi family - the new owners did not like the red color associated with socialism, and changed it to blue.

In the 1980s, the logo underwent changes again: the trident became more stylized, and the inscription Maserati moved under the shield. The modern version, in use since 2006, returns to the classic 1937 design, but with sharper lines and modern graphics. Here are the key stages of evolution:

Year	Changes to the logo	Reason for change
1926	Red shield, golden trident, inscription MASERATI BOLONIA	The first official logo of the brand
1937	Blue shield instead of red, text removed BOLONIA	Change of ownership (Orsi family), political motives
1980s	Trident simplified, inscription Maserati under the shield	Brand modernization, pursuit of minimalism
2006	A throwback to the classic 1937 design with modern fonts	Led rebranding Fiat Group

Today logo Maserati - one of the most recognizable in the world of the auto industry. It is often confused with the emblem Ferrari (due to Italian origin and sporting image), but the trident has a completely different history and symbolism. By the way, both brands belonged to the same concern for a long time - Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, which brought them even closer visually.

⚠️ Attention: Fake emblems are often found on the secondary market Maserati, especially on Chinese replicas. The original trident always has clear edges, deep engraving and a metallic sheen - plastic copies are usually dull and with blurred contours.

On what cars can you see the trident?

Not all models adorn the trident logo Maserati - some brand cars (for example, early racing prototypes) did without it. However, today the emblem is a mandatory attribute of all production cars of the brand. Here are the key models on which you are guaranteed to see a trident:

• 🚗 Sports sedans:
  • Maserati Quattroporte (since 1963) - flagship sedan, a symbol of Italian luxury.
  • Maserati Ghibli (since 1967) - a more compact and dynamic sedan.
• 🏎️ Sports cars and coupes:
  • Maserati GranTurismo (2007–2019, from 2023 - new generation) - an elegant 2+2 coupe.
  • Maserati MC20 (from 2020) - a supercar with a hybrid powertrain.
• 🚙 Crossovers and SUVs:
  • Maserati Levante (since 2016) - the brand’s first crossover.
  • Maserati Grecale (from 2022) - a compact premium SUV.

Fun fact: on racing versions Maserati (for example, MC12 or 250F) the trident was often combined with the national colors of Italy - green, white and red. This was a tribute to the traditions of motorsport, where cars were painted in the colors of the country of origin.

If you see a trident on a car of a different brand - for example, on Alfa Romeo or Lancia - this is either a mistake or a fake. The only exception: some concept cars or limited editions created in collaboration with Maserati (for example, Maserati Barchetta Stradale 1992, released in a circulation of only 17 copies).

Where else can you find a trident?

Besides cars, trident Maserati used:

- On motorcycles Maserati Bici (bicycles and e-bikes released in the 2020s).

- In the collections of clothing and accessories of the brand (for example, watches Maserati Timepieces).

- On the racing suits of company-sponsored pilots.

- In the interior design of some restaurants and hotels, partners Maserati (for example, Maserati Lounge in Monte Carlo).

How to distinguish an original trident from a fake?

Emblem Maserati - a popular target for counterfeiting, especially among owners of tuned or replica cars. To avoid running into a fake, pay attention to the following details:

1. Material: The original trident is made from metal (aluminum or stainless steel) with chrome plated. Counterfeits are often made of plastic or a cheap alloy that quickly tarnishes.
2. Mount: Used on factory emblems double-sided rivets or magnetic mounts (on some models). Glue or screws are a sure sign of a fake.
3. Color and engraving: Blue background should be deep, rich, no divorces. Trident and inscription Maserati have clear edges, no paint chips.
4. Size and proportions: The original emblem has strictly defined dimensions (for example, on Quattroporte shield diameter - 80 mm). Deviations of more than 2–3 mm indicate a fake.

Another way to check is serial number. On the back of the original emblem there is usually a code corresponding to the vehicle's VIN. It can be checked with the dealer’s data or through the official service Maserati.

⚠️ Attention: “Replicas” of emblems are often sold on the secondary market. Maserati for tuning other cars (for example, Chrysler 300 or Dodge Charger). Installing such an emblem can lead to problems with the traffic police, as this is regarded as changing the factory markings of a vehicle (fine under Article 12.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation - up to 500 rubles, but difficulties may arise when passing a technical inspection).

Interesting facts about the Maserati Trident

The trident logo is not only beautiful, but also filled with hidden meaning. Here are a few facts you probably didn't know:

• 🌊 Connection with Neptune: The trident is an attribute of the god of the seas, but in the context Maserati it symbolizes overcoming resistance (just as a ship cuts through the waves, so a car cuts through the air).
• 🎨 Author of the logo: Designed the emblem Mario Maserati - one of the founding brothers, who was also a talented artist.
• 🏆 Racing tradition: By car Maserati, participated in 24 Hours of Le Mans, the trident was applied to the hood by hand - each copy was unique.
• 💎 Most expensive emblem: At auction Bonhams in 2015 the original emblem with Maserati 250F 1957 (raced by Juan Manuel Fangio) was sold for 22,000 euros.

Another little-known fact: in the 1990s Maserati temporarily removed the trident from some models (for example, Biturbo) as part of an experiment with minimalist design. However, this decision caused such a protest among fans of the brand that the symbol returned after two years.

Trident Maserati - the only automobile logo directly related to ancient mythology and urban legend (Neptune's Fountain in Bologna). For comparison: emblem Ferrari (foal) refers to the personal history of Enzo Ferrari, and the logo Lamborghini (ox) - to the zodiac sign of Ferruccio Lamborghini.

Trident in culture: where else is this symbol found?

The trident as a symbol is used far beyond the automotive industry. It can be found in mythology, heraldry and even modern pop culture. Here are some examples:

• 🏛️ Mythology: Trident - attribute Poseidon (in Greek mythology) and Neptune (in Roman). Symbolizes power over the seas and earthquakes.
• 🛡️ Heraldry: Included in the coats of arms of many coastal cities (for example, Livorno in Italy or Vladivostok in Russia).
• 🎮 Video games: Trident - symbol Tridena (god of the seas) in the series The Legend of Zelda and weapons Aquaman in DC comics.
• 🎸 Music: Group logo Trident (British rock band of the 1970s) are also stylized as a trident.

In the context of cars, the trident is associated exclusively with Maserati, but is sometimes confused with other symbols. For example, the logo Alfa Romeo (snake devouring a man) also has mythological roots, but is not associated with the trident. And here is the logo Trident Icenium (an electric vehicle company) is already a direct plagiarism, for which the brand has been repeatedly criticized.

Frequently asked questions about trident on machines

🔍 Why is the trident on Maserati blue and not red?

The emblem was originally red (the color of Bologna), but in 1937 the new owners - the Orsi family - changed it to blue for political reasons. The color red was associated with socialism, which was undesirable for the conservative business elite of Italy at the time.

🚗 Is it possible to legally install a trident on your car if it is not a Maserati?

Technically yes, but this may raise questions from the traffic police during registration or technical inspection. According to traffic regulations, changes to the factory markings of a vehicle (including emblems) require approval. In addition, the use of someone else’s logo may be regarded as a violation of trademark rights (Article 14.10 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation).

💰 How much does the original Maserati emblem cost?

The price of a new emblem in official dealership centers starts from 15,000 rubles (for models Ghibli or Levante). Emblems for rare or vintage models (eg. MC12) may cost 50,000–100,000 rubles and above. You can find it cheaper on the secondary market (eBay, Avito), but the risk of running into a fake is very high.

🔧 What should I do if the trident on my Maserati fell off or was scratched?

If the emblem is damaged, it is better to contact the official service Maserati - they will offer an original replacement with a guarantee. Do-it-yourself repairs (painting, polishing) can damage the chrome coating. As a last resort, you can order a replica from trusted manufacturers (for example, Badges4U or Emblemart), but the quality will be worse than the factory one.

🎨 Are there alternative versions of the trident for special models?

Yes, Maserati produced limited editions with unique emblems. For example:

• Maserati MC12 (2004–2005) - a trident on a black background with a red border.
• Maserati Alfieri Concept (2014) - an emblem with a 3D effect and holographic elements.
• Maserati Levante Trofeo - trident with gold trim (only for this version).

These emblems are extremely rare and prized by collectors.