The snake is a well-known symbol interpreted in many different ways. Before examining individual logos, it is worth considering the snake’s broader cultural meaning. It has also entered the sphere of corporate styles.
So, the symbolism of the snake conveys:
- Fertility. This meaning in snake imagery has evolved historically.
- Creativity and vitality. The snake’s flexibility is associated with adaptability and survival.
- Transformation. This meaning is associated with snakes periodically drying their skin, renewing themselves.
When a snake image is used in a car brand logo, it can convey a wide range of meanings. But most often, it is about creativity, about the manufacturer’s ability to catch trends and adapt the functionality of manufactured cars to customers’ needs. In this context, the image of a snake looks logical and reasonable. We offer you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the logos of several automobile brands in which the image of a snake is used. At the same time, let’s consider how it is “built” into the overall composition.
Alfa Romeo
The company has been working in its niche since 1910, when the first logo was developed. It is interesting because it looks more like a coat of arms than a familiar logo. And while there have been several modern redesigns of this emblem, its key essence has remained unchanged since its development. And if you take the history of the symbols depicted in the logo, they are even older. The logo is based on Milan’s coat of arms from the XIV-XV centuries.
Elements of the Alfa Romeo logo:
- Cross. Used to express respect for the warriors of the city of Milan. It is also a tribute to Christian tradition.
- Snake. And not just any snake, but an animal with a human body in its mouth. This symbol was borrowed from the Visconti family’s coat of arms. This family was once one of the most influential in Milan. The snake symbolizes influence and power.
These two images are on different halves of the round emblem. The composition is framed by a stylish black frame, inside which the company name is located along the perimeter.
If you delve into the history of this Italian automaker, you’ll find that the company was initially called slightly differently. Its first name was Alfa Milano. The first word stands for the first letter of the Greek alphabet, which speaks of leadership and advanced quality. The second word speaks of the city in which the brand appeared. In 1915, a new owner bought the company. His name was Nicola Romeo. The brand name changed in honor of the owner, but the logo’s key component remained the same.
Shelby Mustang
This is the name of the high-performance model of the Ford Mustang. The car was produced by Shelby American from 1965 to 1968 and by Ford from 1969 to 1970.
When the company introduced the 5th-generation Ford Mustang to its target audience, the Shelby model decided to revive the car.
Their small size and light weight characterized the 1965-1966 cars. People often call them “Cobras,” as the logo suggests.
Two-seat sports cars powered by Ford engines and produced by Shelby American were popular with buyers. The Cobra logo was used on both models and appears on the valve covers.
The cobra in this logo looks powerful, strong, and, at the same time, artistic. This logo is far from minimalist, as several ornamental elements are used for the snake’s scales. The snake’s mouth is open, signifying “ready to attack.” In the context of automotive themes, this can be interpreted as good performance by the car and as the car always helping its owner by being on the lookout for his needs when he needs to get to his destination.
Dodge Viper
This was the name of the sports car produced by Dodge from 2013 to 2014 and FCA US LLC from 1991 to 2017. However, FCA US LLC had two production breaks for this car, totaling about four years.
The snake emblem used for the Dodge Viper was current from 2003 to 2010.
If we analyze this Dodge Viper emblem in more detail, its shape resembles a coat of arms, which already looks very solid. Inside, the head of a snake with an open mouth is depicted. It can be said that the emblem looks somewhat threatening. However, considering this logo in the automotive theme, it looks powerful. Perhaps it means the car will always come to the aid of its owner, helping overcome new distances and obstacles.
The “metallic” color scheme is very suitable for car logos, which people traditionally call “iron horses.”
AC Cars
The company’s original name sounded like Auto Carriers Ltd. As far as independent car manufacturers are concerned, it was one of the oldest in England.
The AC Cobra is an Anglo-American co-produced sports car. The Ford V8 engine used for these cars was produced intermittently in both the UK and the US in 1962.
The oval-shaped AC Cars logo features several colors: white, red, blue, and a metallic shade. The white background helps to emphasize the expressiveness of the snake depicted inside the logo. The red border and the background with the company name make the logo more spectacular. The blue snake with red elements at the center of the logo divides the space into two symmetrical parts, making the logo look distinct and recognizable.
Zarooq Motors
This manufacturer produces cars in the UAE. The company’s headquarters is located in Dubai. These cars are characterized by luxury and high performance, which is why many drivers like them.
The company positions its cars quite ambitiously and emphasizes local flavor. “Supercars that were born in the desert,” Zarooq representatives say about these cars. Such positioning demonstrates a commitment to tradition and the high quality of these cars. UAE residents love their desert and luxury cars.
The symbolic shape of the Zarooq Motors logo looks solid. The metallic color in car logo designs looks natural and appropriate. But the snake here differs from those depicted in the previous logos. It smiles as if showing a completely different emotional tone. So, the manufacturer Zarooq has a confident, powerful, and optimistic logo.
Every company exposes well-known objects and symbols in its logos to creative thinking. This can be said fully of the snake’s image. The snake looks original in these logos, making the emblem recognizable and different.