Bavarian Flag Logo: Which Car Brand Does It Belong To?

The BMW logo features the inverse of the colours of the flag of the German state of Bavaria, with blue and white quarters. The flag is historically associated with the royal Bavarian Wittelsbach family, which ruled Bavaria from 1180 to 1918. The logo was designed to display the company's Bavarian heritage and was introduced in 1917, 12 years before a 1929 advert that superimposed the logo on a rotating propeller, leading to the persistent myth that the logo is based on an airplane propeller.

The BMW logo is based on the flag of Bavaria

The BMW logo was created in 1917, and it retained Rapp's black ring inscribed with the company name. However, the interior of the logo was designed with quarters of blue and white, which are the colours of the State of Bavaria. This design choice was intended to showcase the company's Bavarian heritage and align with the popular movement for Bavarian independence from Germany at the time.

It is important to note that the BMW logo does not feature the distinctive lozenge shape found on the coat of arms of Bavaria. This omission was due to local laws at the time that forbade the use of state coats of arms on commercial logos.

The BMW logo has evolved over the years, and the current iteration was introduced in 2020, removing 3D effects and the black outline encircling the rondel. While the logo is used for BMW's branding and communication purposes, it is not featured on their vehicles.

The logo was designed in 1917

The BMW logo was designed in 1917, and it has an interesting history. The logo was created when the company was first included in the commercial register in July 1917, but it didn't feature in the company's first advertisement that same month. The name "BMW" or "Bavarian Motor Works" came about when the aircraft engine manufacturer Rapp Motorenwerke was renamed. The new name reflected the company's location in Munich, the capital of the State of Bavaria in southern Germany.

The BMW logo was designed to pay homage to its home state of Bavaria. The colours white and blue are the state colours of Bavaria and are featured on the logo in quarters on the inner circle. However, the colours are in the inverse order, which goes against heraldic rules. This was due to local trademark law at the time, which prohibited the use of state symbols on commercial logos. The logo also retained the round shape of the old Rapp logo, with the addition of two gold lines and the letters "BMW".

The BMW logo has been the subject of much discussion over the years, with many believing it represents a propeller due to its resemblance and a 1929 BMW advertisement that depicted an airplane with the logo in the rotating propeller. However, this interpretation came about years after the logo's creation and was likely a publicity stunt to promote a new aircraft engine.

The logo has undergone some changes over the years, but it has always retained the original colours and design, which are now well-established and recognised worldwide.

The logo does not feature the lozenge shape from the Bavarian coat of arms

The BMW logo features the colours of the State of Bavaria in Germany, where the company is headquartered. The logo is based on the Bavarian flag, which features a chequered blue and white pattern. However, the logo does not feature the lozenge shape from the Bavarian coat of arms.

The reason for the logo's design was to showcase the company's Bavarian heritage. At the time of BMW's formation, there was a popular movement for Bavarian independence from Germany. The company's name, Bayerische Motoren Werke or Bavarian Motor Works, also reflects this pro-independence sentiment.

The BMW logo was first introduced in 1917, when the company was founded. It retained the black ring from the previous company logo of Rapp Motorenwerke but added a quartered blue and white design. The logo has since evolved, with the current iteration introduced in 2020, which removed 3D effects and the black outline.

While the logo does not feature the lozenge shape from the Bavarian coat of arms, it is worth noting that the exact shade of blue in the logo and the flag has never been officially defined. The colours are approximately RGB 0-204-255 for flags used by the public, while officials use a shade closer to RGB 0-128-255.

The association of the BMW logo with an airplane propeller is a persistent myth. This misconception likely stems from a 1929 BMW advertisement that depicted the logo superimposed on a rotating propeller. However, the logo predates that advertisement by 12 years, and the company has never made significant efforts to correct this myth.

The propeller myth was started by a 1929 BMW advertisement

The BMW logo is one of the most iconic in the world, but its meaning has been the subject of much debate. Many people believe the logo represents a propeller, and this misconception can be traced back to a 1929 BMW advertisement.

BMW, or Bayerische Motoren Werke (Bavarian Motor Works), was founded in 1917 in Munich, the capital of the State of Bavaria in southern Germany. The company began as an aircraft engine manufacturer, and its first logo, designed in October 1917, featured the letters BMW surrounded by two gold lines on an outer ring, with the inner circle divided into quarters of white and blue—the colours of the State of Bavaria.

In 1929, BMW released an advertisement depicting an airplane with the BMW logo in the rotating propeller. The ad was promoting a new aircraft engine that BMW was building under license from Pratt & Whitney. The interpretation of the logo as a propeller fit well with the company's image, emphasising its roots and expertise in aircraft construction.

The 1929 advertisement started the "rotating propeller" myth, which was further reinforced by a 1942 BMW publication called "Flugmotoren-Nachrichten" (Aircraft Engine News). This publication included an article that supported the idea of the BMW badge as a spinning propeller, complete with a photo illustration.

For decades, BMW did not make significant efforts to correct the misconception. Fred Jakobs of BMW Group Classic acknowledges that "for a long time, BMW made little effort to correct the myth that the BMW badge is a propeller." The interpretation has become so ingrained that, according to Jakobs, it has "acquired a certain justification" despite not being the original intention of the logo's design.

While the logo is not actually a propeller, the association with aviation and BMW's history in aircraft engine manufacturing has undoubtedly contributed to the enduring popularity and recognition of the BMW brand.

The logo was updated in 2020

The logo of the car with the Bavarian flag logo was updated in 2020. This was not the first time the logo had been changed since its creation in 1917, but it was the first time in almost two decades. The logo is used for BMW's branding communications but not on the vehicles themselves.

The new logo removed the 3D effects that had been used in previous renderings and also removed the black outline encircling the rondel. The logo's colours of blue and white are the colours of the State of Bavaria in Germany, the home of BMW. The company's name, Bayerische Motoren Werke, also reflects its Bavarian heritage, translating to Bavarian Motor Works.

The original logo was designed when BMW was first included in the commercial register in July 1917. The logo retained the round shape of the old Rapp logo, with the outer ring bounded by two gold lines and the letters BMW. The quarters of the inner circle displayed the state colours of Bavaria, but in inverse order. This was due to local trademark law at the time, which forbade the use of state coats of arms or other symbols of sovereignty on commercial logos.

Over the years, the logo has evolved, but the blue and white quarters and the gold outer ring have remained consistent elements. The new 2020 logo is a simplification of the design, removing the 3D effects and black outline to create a more modern and minimalist version.

The logo has become an iconic symbol of the BMW brand and is instantly recognisable around the world. The update in 2020 reflects the company's desire to stay current and adaptable in a rapidly changing market. By updating the logo, BMW demonstrates its commitment to innovation and its willingness to embrace change.

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