Why does Subarus logo have 6 stars?

The six-star emblem represents the Pleiades star cluster, known in Japanese as Subaru, and it also nods to the historical union of companies that formed the forerunner of Subaru. In short, the logo ties together astronomy, language, and corporate heritage into a single symbol.

Origins and symbolism

Subaru’s emblem blends celestial imagery with a nod to the company’s roots. The six stars are not random decorations; they are a deliberate reference to a familiar star cluster in the night sky and to the brand’s Japanese name.

The Pleiades connection

The logo is based on the Pleiades star cluster, a compact group of six bright stars that are easily visible from Earth. In Japanese, the cluster is called Subaru, which is the origin of the brand name itself. The six-star pattern is meant to evoke reliability, unity, and a shared purpose under one brand umbrella.

Corporate heritage and unity

Beyond astronomy, the logo is widely described as symbolizing the coming together of multiple entities to form a single company. In Subaru’s early corporate history, several smaller firms merged to create the forerunner of the modern company. The six stars are often interpreted as representing those component parts uniting into a single Subaru identity. While the exact historical lineup can vary in retellings, the core idea remains: unity through collaboration.

To a reader, this dual meaning—skyward inspiration paired with corporate consolidation—helps explain why Subaru has kept the six-star motif central to its branding for decades.

Design, usage, and contemporary context

The emblem typically shows a larger central star surrounded by five smaller stars, arranged in a way that echoes the cluster’s visible pattern. The stars are usually rendered in white or silver against a blue field, a color scheme that reinforces the brand’s association with the sky and reliability. Across markets, the six-star emblem appears on vehicles, marketing materials, and corporate branding as a recognizable symbol of Subaru’s identity.

Current branding variations

While the core six-star motif remains constant, Subaru sometimes adapts the surrounding shapes or color treatments for different models or regional campaigns. The essential meaning—astronomical origin and corporate unity—remains intact and is widely communicated in company materials and brand narratives.

Summary

Subaru’s six-star logo is a deliberate blend of celestial imagery and corporate history. The six stars reflect the Pleiades cluster (Subaru in Japanese) and are commonly interpreted as representing the six entities that joined to form the forerunner of Subaru’s modern company. Today, the emblem remains a central part of Subaru’s brand, linking its name, its sky-inspired symbolism, and its heritage of collaboration into one enduring symbol.

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 does Pleiades mean for Subaru?

While the Pleiades, in Greek mythology, was a group of seven sisters, only six of the sister stars that make up the constellation are easily visible from Earth. So, the six stars represent the six companies that merged to form Subaru.

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. 

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What do the 6 stars on Subaru mean?

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.