Firms that use owl imagery in their logos seek to convey traits such as wisdom, mystery, and a sense of wonder in their branding. Using animal symbols in branding is an effective strategy because different creatures carry inherent meanings that have developed over centuries in different cultures. While logos with owls may not be as common as logos with other birds or mammals, such as horses or tigers, the owl resonates particularly with a wide range of consumers.
Examining the symbolism embedded in well-recognized owl logos can provide valuable insights for developing an effective brand strategy. Understanding the context of the owl and other animal symbols when creating a logo is crucial for a brand. While owls primarily symbolize wisdom and mystery, they can convey other nuances depending on the overall design elements, such as color scheme and the industry in which the company operates.
The relative rarity of owl logos in the corporate world can also be an advantage; an owl image can help a brand stand out in a crowded market.set a company apart, capture consumer attention, and create an image of sophistication and depth.
The inclusion of owls in logos serves various strategic functions. From embodying wisdom and charisma to differentiating itself in the marketplace, The Owl is an attractive choice for any organization looking to create a distinctive and meaningful brand. Understanding the complex symbolism associated with owls can prove invaluable for companies considering animal symbols in their branding strategies.
Why do companies use logos with owls?
Incorporating an owl into a company’s logo allows it to utilize the rich associations and emotions associated with this nocturnal bird. Like popular brands’ iconic symbols, the owl can convey myriad messages depending on its image.
The owl is revered in various cultures and mythologies and is primarily associated with wisdom and intelligence. However, this versatile bird embodies other diverse ideas. For example, its nocturnal lifestyle symbolizes mystery, the unknown, and a keen sense of smell—vigilance and attentiveness.
Emphasizing specific features of the owl can draw attention to certain emotions or concepts. For example, emphasizing the owl’s wide-set eyes can evoke curiosity, wonder, or humor. Similarly, depicting other animals in logos can evoke certain attributes, such as a cheetah’s agility or a dog’s loyalty.
However, the interpretation of owl-centered logos is not static. Several factors influence the perception of these emblems, including:
- Color choice. The color scheme of an owl emblem often provides insight into its meaning. Deep hues suggest mystery, while bright tones evoke enthusiasm and dynamism. For example, blue tones are often associated with reliability and dependability.
- Posing. The pose and posture of the owl in a logo greatly influence its interpretation. Given their predatory nature, an image of an owl with wings spread, talons outstretched, and a beak ready for capture can reinforce the logo’s aggressive tone. On the other hand, a calmer or contemplative pose can convey wisdom and serenity. Design details are critical in determining the perception of such emblems.
- Accents and proportions. Emphasizing certain features of the owl in a design can determine the emotions and ideas it evokes. Enlarging the eyes or highlighting the head may suggest innocence, curiosity, or a sense of wonder typically reserved for young individuals. Conversely, highlighting the wings of a bird can symbolize freedom, strength, and dominance.
Exploring the different variations of the owl emblem worldwide provides further insight into these interpretations. Each design can tell a unique story based on accentuated elements, from minimalistic outlines to intricate imagery. Sharp talons, the curve of a beak, the fluffiness of feathers – each detail can give a logo a specific meaning or message.
Famous owl logos
Collingwood Fighting Owls
The symbolic depiction of the owl on sports teams and educational institutions has become a familiar theme. With their keen eyesight and predatory nature, owls echo sports’ competitive spirit and tenacity. Among such images is the Collingwood Fighting Owls emblem.
The Collingwood Fighting Owls emblem design, based on the Warren Wilson Athletics emblem, emphasizes the owl’s formidable and strong features. The carefully crafted image presents the bird with its talons extended forward, creating the illusion that it is lunging at an opponent. This choice of design conveys the essence of the competition and introduces an element of anticipation and excitement.
The image of an owl soaring through the air enhances the logo’s dynamism, representing agility, speed, and action. Overall, the choice of the owl in this image, especially its fierce nature, emphasizes the determination, energy, and indomitable spirit inherent in competitive sports.
Columbus Owls
The Columbus Owls, a team once prominent in the professional hockey league, introduced an original approach to using the owl image in its corporate identity. Instead of the typical image of an owl radiating aggression or a fighting stance found in sports logos, the design chosen for the Columbus Owls deviated from the norm.
One of the emblem’s hallmarks is its intriguing approach to detail. The lower part of the owl, particularly the feathers, resembles the fingers of a hand firmly holding a hockey stick. This original design is memorable for spectators and fans.
This clever design harmoniously combines the main element of sport—the hockey stick—with the team mascot. With such innovation, the brand makes an impression, ensuring that the Columbus Owls remain a talking point among hockey fans.
Dijon
Founded in 1998, the Dijon Football Club was formed by merging two regional soccer teams. Although this French soccer club is known mainly within France, its emblem has great cultural and historical significance.
From the very beginning of its existence, the club chose an owl as its mascot. This choice was not arbitrary. The owl holds a special place in the heart of the people of Dijon. It is not just a bird but a symbol that personifies the city of Dijon. Its presence is deeply rooted in local lore, and the bird is integral to the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral.
By incorporating the owl into its brand identity, Dijon Football Côte d’Or is doing more than just adopting a mascot. The emblem unites sport and tradition, evokes local pride, and makes every match more than a game.
Duolingo
The Duolingo emblem, an owl sometimes absent from specific branding initiatives, remains synonymous with the brand. Duolingo, recognized by many as an online platform for learning multiple languages, chose the Owl as its spokesperson. Owls are traditionally associated with wisdom and intelligence, which fits the essence of language learning.
The brand’s color palette, dominated by shades of orange and green, is wisely chosen. Orange is often associated with innovation and enthusiasm, reflecting the desire to learn a new language. Green evokes feelings of growth, renewal, and the excitement of discovery, which goes well with learning a new language.
Florida Atlantic Owls
Florida Atlantic University’s athletic representation, the Florida Atlantic Owls, is in keeping with the centuries-old significance of the owl. These nocturnal creatures, often symbolizing intelligence and insight, become a fitting mascot for educational institutions.
The team has earned a reputation, especially in baseball circles, distinguished by athletic achievements and unique branding.
The original word mark is a special element of the brand identity. The letters “F” and “U” are decorated with a pattern resembling an owl’s wings. Attention to detail transforms a simple font into a more layered and dynamic image. Complementing the word mark is an image of the owl’s face. Its sharply narrowed eyes exude the determination and ambition of a team striving for excellence.
Green Owl Renovations
Based in the heart of London, Green Owl Renovations has carved out a niche for itself as a reputable property renovation firm. While the owl emblem may not be globally recognized, it highlights the adaptability and versatility of owl symbols, fitting easily into various businesses and industries.
The design exudes warmth and friendliness, essential for a company in the renovation industry, where trust and comfort are paramount. Green Owl Renovations’ elaborate logo subtly conveys the company’s professionalism and makes customers feel at ease entrusting their property to its care.
Hoot Design Studio
Warren Wilson College in North Carolina isn’t the only organization using owl symbolism. The Hoot Design Studio is also worth mentioning. This renowned illustration studio, which is also deeply immersed in the craft beer industry, utilizes the appeal of the owl to represent its uniqueness.
Creating craft beer labels requires precision, creativity, and an understanding the beverage’s essence. Hoot Design Studio has successfully captured that essence in its logo. Instead of the standard owl image, the logo ingeniously incorporates the owl’s eyes into the studio’s name. Placing the eyes instead of the two “O’s” in the word “Hoot” creates a visual play on words.
This creative deviation from the norm captures the essence of Hoot Design Studio: imagination, originality, and a bit of unconventionality. It’s a testament to the power of branding when a simple logo can tell a lot about a company’s direction.
Hooters
The Hooters logo, as an owl, is one of the most iconic and widely recognized branding elements. The choice of the owl symbol seems appropriate, especially since “Hooters” reflects the distinctive hooting sounds of these nocturnal birds.
The logo design draws attention to the owl’s bright eyes and cleverly alludes to the mixture of awe and delight that customers feel when they encounter the charismatic servers at Hooters. The owl’s gaze embodies the essence of a pleasant and memorable experience.
The choice of orange in the design is not accidental. This shade, often associated with originality, zest, and vivacity, emphasizes the lively and energetic atmosphere that Hooters strives to create. The combination of these elements echoes the establishment’s playful and energetic spirit. This approach to design provides a visual reference point and an insight into the brand’s character and what visitors can expect from their visit.
Kennesaw State Owls
Kennesaw State University, known for its academic and athletic excellence, has chosen an owl to symbolize its soccer team, the Kennesaw State Owls. The team, competing in the Big South Conference since 2015, proudly wears the owl emblem to reflect athletic prowess and academic dedication.
The gold and black colors chosen for the emblem don’t just showcase the official hues of the university. Across cultures and eras, the owl is associated with wisdom, knowledge, and insight, making it a worthy representative of an institution of higher learning’s athletic team.
Although the owl on Kennesaw State’s emblem has the usual outstretched talons, as is common in other athletic logos, it represents a calmer and more thoughtful pose. It indicates a balance between athletic energy and a thirst for knowledge.
Kentucky Owl Bourbon
The owl emblem holds a special place among historical alcohol brands. It’s an ordinary image with an intricate, classic design and age-old aesthetic charm.
The emblem’s motto, “The Sage’s Bourbon,” emphasizes the owl’s deep association with discernment. The detailed depiction of the owl evokes a sense of nobility, elegance, and distinction.
This design is a striking reminder of the brand’s heritage and commitment to modern minimalism. This emblem, infused with rich historical meaning, remains an enduring symbol in today’s fast-paced beverage market.
OVO
October’s Very Own, often abbreviated OVO, is a testament to hip-hop artist Aubrey Drake Graham’s fashion influence. The brand’s logo features an owl-inspired design, with the double “O” representing the creature’s eyes and the “V” artfully representing its beak. Characterized by simplicity and minimalism, this symbolic design echoes the brand’s aesthetic ethics in fashion and design.
The beauty of this design lies in its adaptability. In some cases, an extended version of the logo can be seen. This version enlarges the owl’s owl’s facial features, emphasizing the striking visual of the eyes combined with the beak, which is located on a larger canvas.
OVO’s signature style, embodied in this owl motif, seamlessly blends contemporary fashion trends and wildlife inspiration. Its understatement and boldness emphasize the brand’s commitment to creating a distinctive and memorable image in fashion. The brand is attracting the attention of fashion lovers and cementing its place as an iconic symbol in the industry.
Red Owl
Founded in 1922, Red Owl is a testament to the lasting influence of branded retail chains in the United States. This grocery store chain, controlled by a private equity firm, became widely known for the symbolic red owl that adorned various products ranging from food to essentials such as herbs and spices.
Choosing a bright red hue for the owl was not just a fancy design decision. Such a bright color serves a dual function. It acts as a beacon, attracting the eyes of potential customers, whether passersby or motorists. On the other hand, the bold red color combined with the owl’s assertive behavior reflects the brand’s fierce market presence and desire to stand out in the competitive retail sector.
Although owls are usually associated with wisdom and calmness, this image somewhat differs from conventional wisdom. Its strong and somewhat tense appearance may well symbolize the brand’s resilience and longevity to thrive in the ever-changing world of retail.
Rice Owls
Originating from Rice University in Texas, the Rice Owls brand represents a respected college sports program in the United States. The program has 14 teams, with men and women playing various sports, including basketball, baseball, and soccer.
The Rice Owls logo features an owl, a symbol that resonates deeply with the program’s identity. Although the bird image was removed from the emblem in 2010, its legacy remains. In an earlier version, the owl was depicted with its wings spread, creating a sense of dynamism and emphasizing the concepts of forward motion and momentum.
Even without a direct image, the Rice Owls epitomize agility and excellence in college sports. In college sports, where tradition and innovation often intersect, the Rice Owls exemplify how a brand can honor its past while looking to the future.
Standaard Boekhandel
The logo of Standaard Boekhandel, a well-known Belgian retailer that sells books and other merchandise, including board games, wisely and meaningfully uses the image of an owl. The design strongly emphasizes proportions, especially the owl’s eyes, to subtly hint at the importance of reading or close observation. This makes sense, considering that the store’s main product is books.
The logo’s structure also has an intriguing nuance. The owl figure’s lower part is divided, serving a dual symbolic purpose. On the one hand, it gives the impression of two different wings, emphasizing the bird’s agility and versatility. On the other hand, this division resembles the shape of an open book, subtly emphasizing the store’s literary orientation.
TAS Group
TAS Group, a leading fintech company, offers cutting-edge platforms that meet the ever-changing demands of digital payments, payment networks, and intraday liquidity. The company’s emblem – an owl – is not just an arbitrary choice. It epitomizes the qualities of reliability and deep knowledge paramount in the interplay of finance and technology.
The image of the owl differs from the conventional one. Rather than depicting a stoic or authoritative bird, this representation leans towards an abstract, playful, and intriguing design.
Complementing the owl is a crisp sans-serif font in a successful combination of orange and blue. The blue shade emphasizes stability and trust, the two pillars of the financial sphere. The bright orange shade represents innovation, dynamism, and zest, characteristic of the technology world. The TAS Group branding synthesizes the main elements of the financial and technological sectors.
Temple Owls
Temple University, located in Philadelphia, has historically been associated with the symbolism of the owl as its mascot. However, in 2020, the institution boldly updated its emblem, moving from the familiar owl image to an exclusively typographic design. This move reflects changing trends and the need for modernization.
Temple University’s recognition and associations with the owl image remain unchanged despite the change. For many, the former emblem still lingers in the memory. The emblem depicted the owl with a ferocious temperament, and its eyes, brightly lit in yellow, reflected the bird’s keen senses and predatory nature. In addition to the owl, the word “Owls” in the design was imbued with a feather-like texture, giving it a realistic feel and connection to the creature.
This metamorphosis in Temple Owls branding demonstrates Temple University’s forward-thinking approach. The evolution of the logo reflects a journey from a tangible image of an owl to an abstract perception of its essence.
Tripadvisor
Tripadvisor is among the well-known brands with an owl image and establishments like Hooters. Originating from the United States, this digital travel service has been a compass for over two decades, guiding numerous enthusiasts to exceptional destinations worldwide.
Analyzing the Tripadvisor emblem reveals a masterful blend of design and meaning. The platform conveys a profound message by utilizing the owl’s distinctive features. The owl’s piercing eyes are an aesthetic element. A closer look reveals that these eyes bear a striking resemblance to binoculars. This design choice is not accidental. Binoculars, long-range observations, and adventure tools reflect the essence of the platform – to help users seek out and discover amazing places far from home.
Vanoss Gaming
Evan Fong, a Canadian native, is better known in the digital sphere as Vanoss Gaming. Since launching his YouTube channel in 2011, he has gained significant recognition in the video game commentary community.
Initially, Fong chose a simple logo with the initials “V” and “G” to represent his gaming identity. Over time, the logo transformed, featuring an owl. This choice was not accidental: it reflects the owl mask Fong’s character wore in the popular game GTA Online.
This modern version of the logo embodies minimalism at its best. It emphasizes the owl’s characteristic features—pronounced ears, piercing eyes, and expressive beak. The simplicity of the design complements its elegance, making it easily recognizable and memorable to the channel’s wide audience.
Warren Wilson College
Warren Wilson College, located in North Carolina, is characterized by an original approach to education. This private liberal arts institution’s curriculum intertwines work, study, and service, making it unique academically. But beyond its academic achievements, the college has a unique emblem for its athletic teams—an owl.
Warren Wilson’s emblem leans toward the formidability of this bird. The emblem emphasizes the owl’s bright white talons and broad wings, highlighting its strength and capabilities in the wild. Such an image fits perfectly with the competitive nature of the sports arena.
This emblem, reflecting the power of the owl as a fearsome predator, seamlessly blends with the spirit of sport. In a world of athletic competition, where perseverance and strength are celebrated, the owl emblem chosen by Warren Wilson College symbolizes more than just wisdom.
White Owl Cigars
White Owl Cigars, founded in 1887, has become a hallmark of the American cigar industry. Owned by Swedish Match, this iconic brand has consistently used the image of the white owl as its main mascot.
The logo features a white owl perched on a cigar, a creative substitute for a tree branch. Overall, the design is more traditional, emphasizing careful attention to detail. This differentiates it from other branding initiatives’ more modern or simplistic designs. The nuances of the illustration make the brand instantly recognizable and memorable. Each feather and outline of the cigar is carefully crafted, giving attention to detail.
Unlike other owl images that emphasize the bird’s predatory or aggressive features, the white owl in this logo exudes a calmer and wiser aura. The white owl is a mascot and emblem representing the brand’s values and long-standing reputation as a manufacturer. This thoughtful combination of elements and brand ethos has helped White Owl Cigars remain relevant in a highly competitive market, attracting fans worldwide.
Meaning of brands with owls in their logos
With their enigmatic aura and symbolic depth, owls often become central figures in logo designs. While they may not suit every business, these birds can thoughtfully encapsulate many ideas and meanings.
Animal motifs in branding are not a mere coincidence. The most important aspect of logo design is conveying deep meanings through minimalistic imagery. These logos often use recognizable symbols to connect directly with the audience. Naturally, animals with deep cultural and symbolic connotations are the most preferred.
The potential of an animal-oriented logo in the commercial sphere is undeniable. For example, the Jaguar emblem effectively uses the strong image of a wild cat, symbolizing agility and skill. On the other hand, even if it is not exclusively animal-oriented, the Porsche emblem evokes notions of sophistication and grandeur.
If we look again at the owl, it is predominantly associated with discernment. But the beauty of the owl symbol lies in its adaptability. In addition to wisdom, it embodies a variety of meanings ranging from power and mystery to perseverance.
The academic sector seems to favor owl-centric branding. Educational institutions use the owl image to reflect values such as hard work, intellectual curiosity, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. However, the ubiquity of owl logos is not limited to the academic sphere. Their versatility ensures their relevance in a wide range of industries.
Owls as branding elements can embody:
- Intelligence and insight: The owl embodies erudition and deep insight in fairy tales and folklore worldwide.
- Dominance and Power: Beneath the owl’s graceful shell lie powerful predators that know how to survive.
- Mystery and Intrigue: The nocturnal lifestyle of owls and their characteristics symbolize mystery.
- Search and Exploration: The broad outlook of the owl symbolizes the search, discovery of the unknown, and going beyond the horizon.
- Distinctiveness and novelty: Owls stand out in the feathered world because of their unique physiological features, such as their ability to turn their heads. These features make them suitable for brands that emphasize individuality.
The symbolism behind famous owl logos
Owls are central figures in logo design, offering many decorative elements that can effectively shape a brand’s image. Famous owl logos can range from lighthearted and fun, like the Hooters brand, to authoritative and commanding, like some college sports club logos.
When choosing a brand symbol, consider the core values, ideals, and messages carefully. For example, an owl may be congruent with brands seeking wisdom, mystery, or authority. It’s equally important to consider how this symbolism aligns with the brand’s ethos and target audience.
For those who have doubts about whether to use the owl motif, experienced logo designers can be of invaluable help. Such professionals know how to match the brand values with the right symbolism so that the final version attracts attention and resonates with the target audience. Whether a mysterious owl or any other symbol, the right logo can be a powerful brand ambassador, capturing the brand’s essence at a glance.