Why does Subaru have 6 stars?
The six-star emblem of Subaru reflects both astronomy and corporate history: the logo represents the Pleiades star cluster, and the six stars symbolize the six original companies that merged to form Subaru’s corporate parent. The name Subaru itself is the Japanese word for the Pleiades.
Origins of the six-star emblem
The six-star motif is anchored in the Pleiades star cluster, which is known as Subaru in Japanese. The emblem uses six stars to symbolize six founding companies that came together to form the company that would become Subaru’s parent organization. In Western astronomy, the Pleiades is often referred to as the Seven Sisters, but Subaru’s logo intentionally features six stars to reflect that corporate heritage rather than the mythic count.
Before outlining the key details, it helps to note the core facts about what the six stars represent.
- The name Subaru is the Japanese term for the Pleiades star cluster.
- The logo displays six stars: one larger central star and five smaller stars forming a compact cluster.
- The six stars symbolize six original companies that merged to form Fuji Heavy Industries, the corporate parent behind Subaru.
- Although the Pleiades is sometimes called the Seven Sisters in Western lore, Subaru’s mark uses six stars to reflect its unique corporate origin rather than mythology alone.
Together, these elements show how Subaru’s emblem fuses astronomical symbolism with a landmark moment in its corporate history, while the brand name reinforces the celestial connection.
Corporate evolution and branding
Subaru’s parent company underwent a branding change in the 2010s. Fuji Heavy Industries adopted the name Subaru Corporation in 2017, aligning the parent company with the carmaker’s well-known brand identity. The six-star emblem continues to be a central visual across Subaru vehicles and marketing.
Myths and clarifications
Some readers wonder if the emblem hides a seventh star or points to something beyond the six stars. Official explanations emphasize the Pleiades cluster and the merger of six companies. The “Seven Sisters” idea is a Western myth about the cluster, not a formal part of Subaru’s branding.
It’s also worth noting that while the Pleiades contains several bright stars, Subaru’s logo intentionally uses six stars to reflect its corporate origins rather than an astronomical catalog count.
Summary
Subaru has six stars in its logo because the six-star design represents the Pleiades star cluster and the historic merger of six companies to form its corporate parent, Fuji Heavy Industries (today Subaru Corporation). The name Subaru, the Japanese word for the Pleiades, ties astronomy to corporate heritage in a single, enduring emblem.
