We all use a variety of items throughout our lives, and naturally, we come across plenty of symbols, logos, and other markings printed on them. But have you ever stopped to wonder what these symbols actually mean? Why did the companies choose a particular design for their creation? I did, and it turns out the stories behind some of these logos are truly engaging.
So here is a closer look at the hidden meanings behind the symbols and logos of some of the most popular everyday products. You’ll be surprised at how much culture, history, and even tragedy are embedded in something as simple as a beer bottle label or a telecom logo.
#1 Tusker Lager – The Elephant of Legacy (Kenya)
Believe it or not, beer is one of the most popular commodities in East Africa, and among those, Tusker Lager is the most iconic. The logo features a proud elephant head with long tusks, which isn’t just a random design choice to match the name. It’s a tribute to the company’s co-founder, George Hurst, who was tragically killed by an elephant during a hunting trip in 1923. The name “Tusker” was thus chosen to honour his memory.
Unfortunately, Hurst was killed by a charging elephant while on a hunting expedition in 1923. In memory of his tragic death, his brother Charles named the famous lager he had created Tusker. – How an elephant gave Tusker Lager its name
For the full story of the Brew and how it got its name – Tale of Tusker, land thirst and Hurst’s hunts in Ngorongoro
#2 Apple Logo – The Bite of Knowledge
iPhones, MacBooks…Apple Inc. Has positioned itself as the most influential tech companies in the world. Many link their products to status and prestige, but have you ever wondered what the story behind their bitten apple logo means? Of course, you have probably heard of the “Samsung took the bite out of their apple” stories, but the bite is actually a clever play on the word “byte” and also links back to the Biblical fruit of knowledge, thus representing innovation and learning. The first Apple logo featured Isaac Newton under an apple tree, which Steve Jobs rebranded for simplicity and a more modern appeal.
The bitten apple logo was designed to make the apple distinctive from other fruit. The logo was also intended to differentiate Apple from other hard-edged tech companies and signifies ‘biting into all the knowledge users would get out of this computer’ (according to a 2018 interview Rob Janoff gave with Forbes). – Core Appeal: The Apple Logo’s Story and Symbolism
#3 FedEx Logo – Speed in the Negative Space
FedEx, the global courier giant, has one of the most famous hidden symbols in design. Between the ‘E’ and the ‘x’ is a white arrow, symbolising speed, precision, and forward motion—perfectly embodying a logistics and delivery brand.
The FedEx logo makes clever use of figure-ground ambiguity to create an “invisible” arrow in the background space between “E” and “x”. Most designers believe the hidden arrow can convey an unconscious impression of speed and precision about the FedEx brand, which may influence subsequent behaviour
#4 Amazon Logo – Everything from A to Z
If you have ever tried shopping online, you have come across Amazon, and you have definitely seen their logo. The Amazon logo features a curved arrow going from the letter ‘A’ to ‘Z’, showcasing the brand’s promise to sell everything you could possibly need, from A to Z. The arrow also doubles as a smile, reflecting customer satisfaction.
The logo has an arrow that looks like a smile on the face. This conveys the happiness and satisfaction of a customer after buying from Amazon. Also, the arrow connects the letters a to the letter ‘z’ of the brand name, conveying the products’ availability for the consumers. – Amazon Logo Decoding The Hidden Meaning.
#5 LG Logo – Friendly Tech
LG Electronics is a South Korean tech company known for its household electronics, and if you are a huge fan of electronics, you probably have it on your list of genuine and authentic products. At first glance, the LG logo appears as a winking face with the letters L and G cleverly integrated into the design. It reflects warmth, trust, and a human touch to technology.
The symbolic mark, dubbed the “Face of the Future”, presented along with the new LG name, was inspired by an artifact from the Silla Dynasty, the “Smile of Silla.” It symbolizes five concepts (world, future, youth, humanity, and technology) and describes LG’s management philosophy of “Creating Value for Customers” – LG Brand Story Page
#6 Adidas Logo – Conquering Mountains
The Adidas logo has evolved, but the iconic three stripes are still central to its design. They’re designed to resemble a mountain, symbolising the challenges athletes face and the brand’s mission to help them overcome them.
The Adidas logo, known for its three parallel stripes, has evolved over time, with the core meaning remaining focused on performance, design, and craftsmanship. The three stripes represent strength and reliability, while the trefoil logo, with its three leaves, symbolizes the brand’s global reach and diversity. The mountain-shaped logo conveys the idea of overcoming challenges and achieving goals – The Adidas Logo: A Look Behind the Stripes.
#7 Beats by Dre Logo – Headphones on a Head
For those interested in personal music equipment, especially headphones, Beats by Dre is a well-known brand for high-quality headphones and audio gear. Its logo features a lowercase ‘b’ inside a circle. But look closer, and you’ll see it resembles a head wearing headphones, symbolising personal audio.
The Beats by Dre logo, consisting of a lowercase “b” inside a circle, has a hidden meaning: the circle represents a human head, and the “b” symbolizes the headphones themselves. This design element effectively ties the logo to the brand’s core product, making it easily recognizable and associating the headphones with a user’s head
#8 Unilever Logo – A Story in 25 Symbols
Unilever is a massive consumer goods company. Its logo may look like a fancy ‘U’, but it’s actually made up of 25 tiny icons, each representing different aspects of its business.
This new design was intended to ‘represent the richness, diversity and vitality of Unilever’ and to reflect ‘the people and the world in which we operate’. The logo is made up of 25 symbols, each representing aspects of Unilever’s mission. – Uniliver Logo, History and Meaning
#9 Uganda’s Coat of Arms – National Identity in Symbols
If you’ve ever looked closely at Uganda’s coat of arms, you’ll notice a rich tapestry of symbolism. It features a Crested Crane (the national bird, symbolising elegance and peace), a Uganda Kob (symbolising abundant wildlife), and a traditional drum (representing culture). The sun stands for the beautiful Ugandan climate, and the shield with blue waves highlights the significance of lakes like Victoria and Albert.
#10 East African Community Emblem – Unity in Design
The EAC emblem is all about unity and integration. At the centre is a map of East Africa encircled by an industrial wheel, signifying economic collaboration. Below it, a handshake illustrates partnership and solidarity among member nations. It’s a logo that tells a story of shared goals and regional identity.
#11 Hyundai Logo – The Handshake
Hyundai, the South Korean automaker, has a stylised ‘H’ in its logo. Look again, the “H” is designed to represent two figures shaking hands, a customer and a company representative, symbolising trust and satisfaction.
#13 Chick-fil-A Logo – The Chicken in the ‘C’
Chick-fil-A is a popular American fast-food restaurant specialising in chicken sandwiches. The ‘C’ in its logo is cleverly stylised to look like a chicken’s head, complete with a beak and comb, tying into its poultry-focused menu.
Understanding the hidden meanings behind the symbols we see every day doesn’t just satisfy curiosity; it deepens appreciation. These logos and emblems are more than just marketing tools; they are vessels of legacy, belief, memory, and identity.
