The Alfa Romeo logo is one of the most iconic car logos in the world. It has a rich history and meaning that dates back more than 100 years. The symbol is made up of two halves, one with a cross and the other with a snake.
Each half has a significant meaning that represents the company’s values and beliefs.
Let’s take a closer look at the history and meaning of the Alfa Romeo logo…
The Origins
The origins of the Alfa Romeo logo date back to 1910 when the company was founded. Origins of the logo date back to medieval Italy. The logo has remained the same with one side that has a snake, representing the Visconti family, and the other side is a cross, which symbolizes Milan.
The Symbolism
However, those two aren’t the only ones that make up the Alfa Romeo logo, there are also other details that you can see if you take a closer look at the logo. Most of the meanings are shrouded in secrecy but there are still some popular theories around it.
Cross
One of the shapes you’ll easily see when you look at the Alfa Romeo logo is the cross. This is known as the Cross of St. Ambrose, which is associated with the medieval soldiers of Milan during the crusades.
Serpent Or Snake
Another symbol that’s used in the Alfa Romeo logo is the snake that is eating a man. This is also known as the Biscione, which is usually linked to the Visconti family. As you can see, the snake is wearing a crown, which also represents the dukedom of the Visconti during the 15th century.
Man
The man that’s being eaten by the serpent is a reference to the Moor or Saracen. This is also a reference to the Christian crusades.
Crown
If you look closely, you’ll see that the crown is actually a laurel crown in the previous versions of the logo. This was first seen in 1925. This was when the Alfa Romeo P2 championed the Automobile World Championship. However, this design didn’t live long as it was also removed in 1982.
Knots
This is another symbol included in the original design but was later removed. The original design had Savoy knots that were used to divide the words “Alfa” and “Romeo” on the border of the logo.
History Of The Alfa Romeo Logo
Back when the brand started Alfa Romeo was spelled as “A.L.F.A” because it was an acronym for Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobill. Later on, it was changed to the word “Alfa” by Nicola Romeo in the 1920s.
The brand also paid great homage to Milan by using symbols to represent it. From the beginning, there have only been subtle changes to the logo. It still kept true to the original design. Only a few minute differences in the typeface and design can be noticed.
The core design is still well preserved and hasn’t changed over the decades. Up to date, you’d still obviously see the Italian heritage, especially through their most popular models such as the Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia.