What do the 6 stars on Subaru mean?
The six-star emblem is a stylized representation of the Pleiades star cluster, known in Japanese as Subaru. The logo ties the brand to astronomy, and in branding lore it is sometimes described as nodding to the corporate history behind Subaru’s parent company.
Origins and official meaning
The following statements summarize Subaru’s explanations and commonly cited interpretations of the emblem.
- Official meaning: The logo evokes the Pleiades star cluster. Subaru is the Japanese name for that cluster, and the six stars form a compact, recognizable mark used across branding and vehicles.
- Corporate-history interpretation: Some observers describe the six stars as representing the merger of multiple companies to form Subaru’s corporate parent, a legacy often cited in discussions of the badge’s origins.
- Design note: In Western astronomy the cluster is often called the Seven Sisters; Subaru’s badge uses six stars, a deliberate design choice for balance, legibility, and branding impact.
In short, the emblem’s core meaning is astronomical—rooted in the Pleiades—while some accounts tie it to Subaru’s corporate lineage.
Design details and symbolism
Beyond the official framing, the badge’s appearance and star count carry branding significance and cultural context.
Visual composition
- The logo shows six stars—five larger ones and one smaller—arranged to evoke a stylized view of a star cluster, simplified for a car badge.
- The Japanese name for the Pleiades, Subaru, connects the cluster to the brand’s identity and historical naming.
- Seven Sisters vs. six stars: While the cluster is popularly known as the Seven Sisters in Western lore, Subaru’s emblem uses six stars to achieve a clean, distinctive silhouette on automotive branding.
These design choices aim for immediate recognition and a clear link between the brand and its celestial namesake.
Bottom line and context
The six-star Subaru badge blends astronomical symbolism with corporate branding, creating a durable symbol that endures across models and markets. While official language emphasizes the Pleiades connection, historians and enthusiasts sometimes point to corporate-history narratives as part of the badge’s lore.
Summary
Subaru’s six-star emblem is rooted in the Pleiades star cluster, with the brand name Subaru deriving from that same cluster in Japanese. The six-star design is a deliberate, recognizable badge choice that also intersects with branding history and, in some accounts, the mergers that formed Subaru’s corporate parent. Together, these elements give the logo its enduring meaning and visual identity.
Why is Subaru associated with LGBTQ?
Subaru is associated with the LGBTQ+ community primarily due to a successful, groundbreaking advertising campaign from the 1990s that targeted lesbian consumers. The company recognized lesbians as a key demographic and developed clever, coded ads that reflected their active, low-key lifestyle. This marketing strategy, combined with authentic internal support and sponsorships, cultivated a strong and loyal customer base within the community.
- Targeted market research: In the 1990s, Subaru identified lesbians as one of five key consumer groups willing to pay a premium for their all-wheel-drive vehicles.
- "Gay-coded" advertising: The ad campaigns used subtle messaging and playful code, such as license plates like "CAMP OUT" and "XENA LVR," and slogans like "Get out. And stay out".
- Authentic and sustained commitment: Subaru went beyond advertising by implementing same-sex domestic partnership benefits and becoming a founding sponsor of the Rainbow Card, which supported LGBTQ+ causes.
- Public endorsements: The brand also signed up public figures like openly gay tennis player Martina Navratilova as a spokesperson, further cementing its association with the community.
- Community recognition: The sustained effort was recognized and appreciated by the LGBTQ+ community, which embraced the brand as its own, leading to the stereotype of lesbians loving Subarus.
What do the stars mean on a Subaru?
The six stars on the Subaru logo represent the Pleiades star cluster in Japanese, which is also the origin of the brand's name. The stars also symbolize the five companies that merged to form Fuji Heavy Industries in 1953, with the sixth, larger star representing the company's leading position.
- Dual meaning: "Subaru" is both the Japanese name for the Pleiades star cluster and a word that means "unite".
- Pleiades star cluster: The logo features six of the seven stars of the Pleiades, also known as the "Seven Sisters". In Japanese tradition, one star is often considered invisible, which is why only six are depicted.
- Company merger: The six stars also represent the historical merger of five companies into Fuji Heavy Industries, with a sixth, larger star signifying the newly formed, dominant company at the center.
0:10Fun Fact That Subaru was the first automobile brand to use a Japanese ...FacebookSouth Nowra Auto Group · 4y 49sThe Secret Meaning of Subaru's LogoYouTubegreg gammino · 10mo 0:04Subaru SUBARU signifies a Japanese word meaning “unite,” as ...InstagramA.Jasmine (Kane) · 1y (function(){
(this||self).Bqpk9e=function(f,d,n,e,k,p){var g=document.getElementById(f);if(g&&(g.offsetWidth!==0||g.offsetHeight!==0)){var l=g.querySelector("div"),h=l.querySelector("div"),a=0;f=Math.max(l.scrollWidth-l.offsetWidth,0);if(d>0&&(h=h.children,a=h[d].offsetLeft-h[0].offsetLeft,e)){for(var m=a=0;m
What's the meaning behind the Subaru stars?
The word “Subaru” is Japanese for “unite”. The logo's six stars represent the five companies that merged to form Fuji Heavy Industries, the parent company of Subaru, and the sixth star represents Fuji Heavy Industries itself.
Why does Subaru have 6 stars instead of 7?
Subaru is the transliteration of the Japanese すばる, meaning the Pleiades star cluster M45, or the "Seven Sisters" (one of whom tradition says is invisible – hence only six stars in the Subaru logo), which in turn inspires the logo and alludes to the companies that merged to create FHI.
