What car logo is like a cross?
The logo that most clearly resembles a cross is Alfa Romeo’s emblem. It is a shield split into two halves: the left half bears a red cross on a white field, echoing the flag of Milan, while the right half features a green Biscione serpent. This historic badge has represented the brand since 1910 and continues to be used today under Stellantis.
Design and meaning of the cross-like emblem
Alfa Romeo’s badge is one of the most recognizable in the automotive world because it blends city symbolism with a storied family emblem. The cross on the left is a direct nod to Milan’s civic shield, while the serpent on the right (the Biscione) links the brand to Milanese history and the Visconti family. The overall crest is framed to emphasize heritage, Italian design, and a sense of rebirth and strength that the serpent symbol historically conveyed.
Origins of the emblem
The emblem emerged in 1910 when Giovanni Agnelli’s company ALFA (Anonima Lombarda Fabbrica Automobili) merged with another venture to form Alfa Romeo. The design deliberately combines Milan’s cross with the ancient Biscione symbol—a green serpent swallowing a human—each element rooted in regional and dynastic symbolism. Today, Alfa Romeo is part of Stellantis, the multinational automaker formed from the 2021 merger of FCA and PSA.
Key design elements
The badge is a shield-like crest divided into two halves. On the left is a red cross on white, representing Milan. On the right is a green Biscione serpent swallowing a man, representing historical Milanese heraldry and the region’s aristocratic lore. The outer ring typically carries the name of the brand and city, tying the emblem to its Italian heritage.
Before exploring further, it’s helpful to highlight the specific features that make Alfa Romeo’s cross-integrated logo distinctive:
- Split shield design with two contrasting motifs
- Left motif: red cross on white, a direct reference to Milan’s flag
- Right motif: a green Biscione serpent swallowing a man, a historic emblem of the Visconti family
- Outer inscription often including “ALFA ROMEO MILANO” or a variant of the brand name
- Color palette of red, white, and green, underscoring Italian identity
In summary, Alfa Romeo’s cross-shaped element is not a generic cross but a carefully crafted fusion of Milanese civic pride and aristocratic heraldry, anchored by a design that has endured for over a century.
Summary
Alfa Romeo’s emblem is the car logo most associated with a cross-like motif, featuring a red cross on white on the left half and a green Biscione serpent on the right. Rooted in Milanese history and the Visconti lineage, the badge was adopted in 1910 and remains a defining symbol for the brand within Stellantis’ portfolio. The design blends regional symbolism with Italian manufacturing heritage, making it one of the most enduring emblems in automotive branding.
