Famous logos and the hidden meanings behind them
Quick answer: Many famous logos hide a meaning: the FedEx logo has an arrow between the E and x, Amazon’s smile runs from A to Z, Toblerone’s mountain hides a bear, and Baskin-Robbins shows the number 31 for its flavours.
Logos with hidden shapes
Look closer at these:
- FedEx: an arrow between the E and the x
- Amazon: the arrow points from A to Z
- Toblerone: a bear hidden in the Matterhorn mountain
- Baskin-Robbins: “31” in the pink letters
- Tour de France: a cyclist in the letter R
Why colours matter
Red suggests energy and appetite, which is why many food brands use it; blue suggests trust, popular with banks, airlines and tech companies.
Simple wins
The strongest logos work in one colour and at tiny sizes, like Apple’s apple or Nike’s swoosh.
Logo stories
The meaning behind well-known logos:
| Brand | Hidden meaning |
|---|---|
| FedEx | An arrow between the E and the x |
| Amazon | A smile from A to Z |
| BMW | Blue and white of Bavaria |
| Toyota | Ellipses that spell the company name |
| Mercedes-Benz | Three-pointed star for land, sea and air |
| Audi | Four rings for four merged companies |
Why logos use certain colours
Blue often signals trust and is common for banks, airlines and tech firms. Red suggests energy and appetite, which is why many food brands use it. Green suggests nature and health.
How logos change over time
Most famous logos have been simplified over the decades. Apple’s first logo in 1976 showed Isaac Newton under a tree before it became the bitten apple. Many brands moved from detailed, 3D-style logos to flat designs in the 2010s because they look clearer on small phone screens.
Logos with animals
Animals are a popular way to suggest speed, strength or freedom:
| Animal | Brands |
|---|---|
| Horse | Ferrari, Porsche |
| Bull | Lamborghini, Red Bull |
| Lion | Peugeot |
| Bird | Twitter (former logo) |
| Jaguar | Jaguar |
| Crocodile | Lacoste |
Why logo quizzes are tricky
Logo quizzes often crop or recolour a logo. Learn the shape, not just the colour, and pay attention to small details such as the direction an animal faces.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most recognised logo in the world?
Surveys often rank Coca-Cola, Apple and McDonald’s among the most recognised.
How much did the Nike swoosh cost?
Student Carolyn Davidson designed it in 1971 for 35 US dollars.
Why does Audi have four rings?
They stand for the four companies that merged in 1932.
What does the Mercedes star mean?
Engines for land, sea and air.
What was Apple’s first logo?
A drawing of Isaac Newton under an apple tree.
Why is there a crocodile on Lacoste shirts?
Founder René Lacoste, a tennis player, was nicknamed “the Crocodile”.