What shape is the Chevy symbol?
The Chevy symbol is a bowtie—an elongated, horizontally oriented bowtie silhouette Chevrolet has used as its emblem for more than a century.
As one of the auto industry's most recognizable marks, the bowtie silhouette anchors Chevrolet’s branding across vehicles and marketing. This article explains the shape, its origins, and how it is used today.
Design and silhouette
The Chevrolet emblem is best described as a stylized bowtie: a symmetrical, horizontally oriented silhouette with flared ends. Its simple outline makes it instantly recognizable on grilles of every vehicle size and across digital media.
Color and finish
Today the most common rendition is a gold bowtie with a black outline. Variations exist, including monochrome versions (all black or all white) for certain trims or markets, as well as chrome or brushed finishes for special editions and marketing materials.
Origin and evolution
Chevrolet introduced the bowtie logo in 1913. The exact inspiration behind the shape has become the subject of industry lore, with multiple anecdotes cited over the years. GM has described the logo as a distinct bowtie silhouette created by Chevrolet’s branding team, but there is no single, universally accepted origin story.
In 2013, Chevrolet celebrated the bowtie’s 100th anniversary with branding updates and renewed emphasis on the silhouette. Since then, the badge has persisted as the brand’s core identity, adapting in finish and texture but not its central shape.
The emblem’s simple, recognizable form is a key reason it remains impactful across global markets, on vehicles and in merchandise alike.
Note: While the exact source of the bowtie’s inspiration remains debated, the shape itself has endured as a defining element of Chevrolet’s branding for more than a century.
Key facts about the emblem
Below is a concise overview of the core aspects of the Chevy bowtie emblem.
- Introduced in 1913 as Chevrolet’s brand emblem for cars and advertising.
- Described by many as a “bowtie” shape—a horizontally oriented silhouette resembling a bow tie or ribbon.
- Typically rendered in gold with a black outline, though variations include monochrome, chrome, and special finishes for limited editions.
- Designed for simplicity and high recognizability, contributing to the logo’s enduring longevity.
- Remains Chevrolet’s primary symbol today across the global vehicle lineup.
In summary, the bowtie remains Chevy’s defining symbol—an enduring, instantly identifiable shape that continues to anchor the brand’s identity across products and marketing.
Historical milestones
The following milestones trace the logo’s public evolution and branding significance.
- 1913: Chevrolet introduces the bowtie emblem as its brand mark in advertising and on early models.
- 1914–1950s: The bowtie becomes a standard feature on Chevrolet vehicles and promotions, appearing in various finishes and sizes to suit different models.
- 2013: The bowtie’s 100th anniversary is celebrated with branding highlights and renewed emphasis on the silhouette’s longevity.
- 2010s–present: The emblem is modernized in finish and presentation (including three-dimensional effects, chrome and brushed textures) while preserving the classic silhouette.
The enduring bowtie continues to serve as Chevrolet’s most recognizable symbol, linking generations of drivers to the brand’s legacy and ongoing evolution.
Summary
The Chevy symbol is a bowtie—a horizontally oriented, stylized silhouette that has identified Chevrolet since 1913. Its simple, distinctive form has withstood decades of design changes, maintaining the brand’s identity while evolving in finish, color, and media usage.
What is the logo that identifies the automobile brand Chevy?
The Chevy bowtie quickly became a symbol drivers could rely on for quality, dependability, and a sense of pride on the road. And over the years, this emblem has become synonymous with Chevrolet's commitment to building vehicles that last.
What shape is the Chevy logo?
bowtie shape
Whichever of these accounts is valid, the Chevrolet logo has been one of the most recognizable for over a century. It has been modified a number of times and took on the gold hue in 2004. The bowtie shape remains steady and reliable, much like the vehicles it represents.
What does the bowtie symbol mean?
A bow tie can symbolize individuality and confidence, as it is a more unconventional and attention-grabbing accessory than a standard necktie. It is also associated with intelligence, sophistication, and formality, especially in academic or professional settings, and can convey a professorial or distinguished air.
Symbolism of the bow tie
- Individuality and confidence: Wearing a bow tie often signals a willingness to stand out and be different. It suggests a confident embrace of a unique style.
- Intelligence and sophistication: Due to its association with formal wear and intellectuals, a bow tie can suggest intelligence and sophistication. It is a standard for certain events, like a "black tie" dress code, and can be associated with professions like academics or law.
- Formality and tradition: Bow ties have a long history and are a staple of formal attire, particularly for events like weddings or galas. They can be seen as a symbol of classic style and tradition.
- Eccentricity: While it can be a sign of sophistication, the bow tie is sometimes also associated with eccentricity, similar to a "nerd" or "professorial" look, as seen with characters like Dexter from Dexter's Laboratory.
- Southern charm: In certain contexts, a bow tie is seen as a symbol of Southern elegance and grace.
- Power: Historically, ties and other neckwear have symbolized rank, and today a bow tie can project an image of power and leadership.
Why is the Chevy emblem a bowtie?
The exact origin of the Chevy logo is debated, but the most popular theories suggest it was either inspired by a wallpaper design co-founder William C. Durant saw in a Paris hotel or by a slanted, bowtie-like logo from a 1911 newspaper ad for a coal company. A third theory proposes it is a stylized version of the cross on the Swiss flag, a nod to co-founder Louis Chevrolet's heritage.
Wallpaper theory
- What it is: The most commonly cited theory is that William C. Durant saw the design on the walls of a hotel during a trip to Paris in 1908.
- Supporting evidence: Durant's wife, Catherine, recounted that he sketched out the design during a dinner and later saw it in a newspaper, though she did not specify what the original motif was.
Newspaper ad theory
- What it is: In 1911, a newspaper ad for "Coalettes" by the Southern Compressed Coal Company featured a slanted, bowtie-like logo, which is very similar to the Chevrolet emblem.
- Supporting evidence: Chevrolet was founded nine days after this ad was published, and historian Ken Kaufmann found the ad to be the most similar design to the eventual Chevy logo.
Swiss flag theory
- What it is: This theory suggests the logo is a nod to Louis Chevrolet's Swiss heritage and the Swiss flag, which features a cross.
- Supporting evidence: Chevrolet was born in Switzerland to French parents, making a connection to the Swiss flag plausible.
