Chicago Blackhawks Logo PNG
The representation of a Native American has always been present on this team’s emblem, and there is no intention to abandon it, as the symbol is a tribute to nationality, not racial discrimination. Thus, the Chicago Blackhawks emblem has maintained its original appearance despite public pressure, with only minor modifications.
Chicago Blackhawks: Brand overview
| Founded: | 1926 |
| Founder: | Wirtz Corporation |
| Headquarters: | Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Website: | nhl.com |
The Chicago Blackhawks is one of the NHL’s “original six” teams, based in Chicago, Illinois. The team competes in the Central Division of the Western Conference of the NHL. The team’s history began in 1926 when the Western Canada Hockey League disbanded due to financial problems and growing competition from the NHL. WCHL founders Frank and Lester Patrick were forced to sell players and entire teams to their wealthier NHL competitors to stay afloat. They called Chicago coffee magnate Frederic McLaughlin to negotiate the purchase of the Portland Rosebuds. McLaughlin, a sports enthusiast who preferred more aristocratic sports, was an accomplished horse rider and famous polo player, so he liked the idea. A group of shareholders led by McLaughlin managed to pay Patrick $200,000 to transfer the Rosebuds to Chicago.
The team based in the Windy City could not be called buds, roses, or combinations of these words. Major Frederic McLaughlin was the commander of the “Blackhawk Division” during World War I, so he didn’t ponder much about the name of his new club. Moreover, McLaughlin loved his homeland and knew its history. He knew that in the 19th century, bloody wars between settlers and Native Americans took place in the Midwest, including Illinois, where Chicago is located. One of the legendary figures of the Indian wars was Chief Black Hawk. That’s why the Chicago club’s logo features not a hawk but the head of a Native American, which has been an irony since the franchise’s foundation.
Until 1986, the team’s name was spelled as Black Hawks, but now it is written as “Chicago Blackhawks.”
Meaning and History
Although the team has many logos (ten), this doesn’t mean they differ. No, the history of the Chicago Blackhawks emblem is the evolution of one version in different “faces” because the main element is the Native American nation of Black Hawks. He was a prominent figure in the history of the state of Illinois. This concept was proposed by Irene Castle, wife of the coffee magnate and first franchise owner, Frederic McLaughlin. More than a decade has passed since the debut version, and the same face still looks at hockey club fans as in the beginning. Changes were minimal.
In 2008, the Chicago Blackhawks logo was voted the best in the NHL in a league fan poll. “It is a very recognizable emblem that carries a special message and inspires countless imitations among competitors. The logo evokes a sense of pride and duty to it and looks great on a T-shirt and cap,” said the poll organizers.
Bright colors appeared in the logo in 1935. The leader’s face was painted red. However, later, this was considered incorrect about Native Americans, and in 1941, designers made the skin brown.
However, some Native Americans still disapprove of this logo and the idea of using Native American culture for entertainment purposes. Sometimes, this becomes the reason for a serious scandal.
The Chicago Blackhawks club was founded in 1926, and its team emblem was created by Irene Castle, the wife of Major Frederic McLaughlin, the team’s founder and coffee magnate.
The emblem’s hero is a military chief of the Sauk Native American tribe. He participated in the War of 1812 (1812-1815) between the USA and Great Britain on the side of the British Empire. In 1832, he led the military actions of the Sauks and Foxes against the United States. This man was a notable figure in the history of Illinois, where the club is based.
In the original version, the Chicago Blackhawks emblem was black and white, containing the inscription “black hawks,” meaning the team’s nickname. McLaughlin, the commander of the 333rd Machine Gun Battalion of the 86th Division of the U.S. Army during World War I, coined the name. Team members call themselves “Black Hawks.”
What is Chicago Blackhawks?
It is a professional hockey club founded in 1926. It is a member of the NHL, representing the Western Conference and Central Division. Until 1986, the team was named “Black Hawks,” then received its current name. Since 1995, it has trained at the United Center stadium.
1926 – 1935
Irene Castle, the wife of club owner Frederic McLaughlin, designed the original Chicago Blackhawks logo. It was a side view of a Native American’s head with three feathers and a braid surrounded by the inscription “Chicago Black Hawks.” The emblem’s only colors were black and white.
1935 – 1937
The 1936 emblem’s palette included two more colors in addition to black and white. The Native American’s head was red, and his hair was light brown. Otherwise, the black circle and the white inscription with the team’s name remained the same.
1937 – 1941
The version presented in 1937 looked quite similar, except for the background: the black color was replaced with white. The red-skinned Native American and the team name on a black background remained unchanged.
1941 – 1955
In 1941, the emblem was slightly reworked, still depicting the iconic head of a Native American. A more detailed headshot replaced the thoughtful portrait. Facial features became softer, red skin acquired a warm yellow hue, and hair turned black with thin green lines. Three red and white feathers appeared in the hair. The black outer ring was trimmed with a thin red outline.
1955 – 1957
In 1955, the Blackhawks introduced a new Chicago Blackhawks logo. It was a more detailed drawing of a Native American’s head: the face was adorned with red and white stripes. A red earring on the head and four multicolored feathers in the hair (green, yellow, and red). A white line ran through the hair, adding volume to the image. Two red lines border the black ring with the team name inside.
1957 – 1965
The sixth emblem of the Chicago Blackhawks underwent minor changes. The black ring with the inscription “Black Hawks Chicago” remained unchanged. White lines in the Native American’s hair became yellow. One of the red feathers was replaced with an orange one. The Native Americans’ facial features were also changed.
1965 – 1989
1965 brought changes to the head of the Black Hawk, but they were maintained for two decades. The black circle was removed from the emblem, leaving the head of the Native American as the team’s coat of arms. Facial features became softer and simpler, the forehead slightly elongated. The portrait has a neutral expression. The red and white stripe on the forehead became black. To this day, this logo undergoes only minor changes.
1989 – 1996
By the end of the 1980s, graphics and color were significantly improved. Red and orange feathers in the hair were adorned with white lines, and green and yellow ones with yellow and blue, respectively.
1996 – 1999
The team initiated another logo redesign. This only slightly changed the color palette: the face became darker, and the outline became a brighter yellow shade. The feathers’ green, yellow, and blue colors became brighter and sharper.
1999 – today
The emblem, with a smiling representative of the Native American population, went into circulation. It is based on the previous version of a darker shade. Now, the colors, on the contrary, are bright, flashy, and expressive. The character’s face has war paint, indicating that the team is ready for decisive action on the sports field. In the hair, there are four multicolored feathers. They are tied together and fixed at the back of the head.
The Native American’s head is depicted in profile, and faces are left. Moreover, in this version, it is not as old as it was before 1989. The facial features were slightly corrected, brought closer to European, so the logo became more universal.
Chicago Blackhawks: Interesting Facts
The Chicago Blackhawks are a famous hockey team, one of the first six teams in the National Hockey League (NHL). They’ve had many great moments and players.
- Starting: They began in 1926, making them one of the original NHL teams. They played alone for 25 years before the league got bigger in 1967.
- Winning Big: They’ve won the Stanley Cup six times: in 1934, 1938, 1961, 2010, 2013, and 2015. This shows they’ve been good for a long time.
- How They Got Their Name: Their name comes from the 86th Infantry Division, called the “Blackhawk Division,” where their founder served during World War I. This was named after Black Hawk, a Native American leader.
- Their Jersey: Their jersey has a Native American head and is known for looking cool. But some people think it’s not okay because it uses Native American imagery.
- Where They Play: Since 1994, their games have been at the United Center in Chicago, where they share space with the Chicago Bulls basketball team.
- Famous Players: Many great players, like Bobby Hull and Tony Esposito, are remembered as some of the best.
- Singing Loud: Before their home games, Blackhawks fans cheer loudly during the National Anthem, which is something special they do.
- Change in Ownership: Bill Wirtz owned the team until 2007 and was known for not spending much money. After he passed away, his son made big changes that helped the team win more.
- A Great Team: In the early 2010s, they won three Stanley Cups, making people call them a dynasty. Players like Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane were key to this success.
- Helping Out: Besides playing hockey, the Blackhawks do a lot for their community, such as helping kids play sports and supporting schools.
The Chicago Blackhawks have a big place in hockey history, with many wins, famous traditions, and efforts to improve their city.
Font and Colors
The debut logo featured a black-and-white outline of a Native American surrounded by the words “Black Hawks” (at the top) and “Chicago” (at the bottom). It looked like a classic rondel with a central part and a wide border. The stamp shape was replaced in 1965 by the image of the Native American, previously located in the center of the circle.
Throughout the emblem’s existence, the main changes concerned the skin tone, age, facial expression, hairstyle, and the number of feathers in the bunch. Eventually, an image of a young character with war paint appeared.
The textual part was present in the early logos – until 1964 – a chopped grotesque font from the Sans Serif category.
However, the palette of the logo is very diverse: it consists of bright colors. There are green (feather), black (hair, facial features, and contours), yellow (face, feather, and lines in the hair), red (feather, war paint), and raspberry (feather). There is also white color, which, along with red and black, is included in the official colors of the Chicago Blackhawks.
FAQ
What does the “Chicago Blackhawks” logo mean?
The emblem depicts a representative of the Native American population of North America – a former chief and warrior of the Sauk people. The head, adorned with four multicolored feathers, is positioned in profile. The gaze is straight, and the face has a national character.
Will the Chicago Blackhawks change their logo?
The Chicago Blackhawks hockey team does not intend to change their logo. The team has officially stated this. They also said that there are no plans to change the name.
Is Blackhawk an Indian tribe?
Blackhawk is not an Indian tribe, but the native Sauk people’s name is Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiak. They were warriors. He died in 1838. He is also called the 86th Infantry Division, where Frederick McLaughlin, the founder of the sports club, served. It is in honor of these infantrymen that he named his hockey team.
What is the name of the Blackhawks mascot?
The Blackhawks mascot is Tommy Hawk. It is an anthropomorphic black hawk in the hockey team’s uniform, with four multicolored feathers on his head. This character first appeared at the beginning of the 2001-2002 season.