From sleek big cats to powerful stallions, animal car logos are among the most iconic symbols in the automotive world. Heraldic imagery — emblems, coats of arms, and brand insignia — has been part of car culture since the very beginning of the automobile industry. Each animal chosen to represent a car brand carries deep symbolic meaning: speed, power, grace, and dominance. In this guide, we explore the history of animal logos in the automotive world, what they represent, and which brands wear their creatures most proudly.
The Origins of Animal Logos in the Automotive Industry
The earliest car emblems were designed with a single purpose: to convey speed and power. Given that engine output was already being measured in horsepower, it was only natural that animals — particularly fast and powerful ones — became the go-to symbols for automotive brands.
One of the earliest and most enduring examples is Peugeot. As far back as 1850, the Peugeot family business used a lion emblem on their saws and pepper mills. As the company evolved — first into bicycles, then motorcycles, and finally automobiles — the lion remained. Today, the Peugeot lion is three-dimensional and tongueless, yet still rearing aggressively on its hind legs.
Citroën, which began producing cars in 1919, took a different path, placing a swan on its emblem in 1932. Though the swan graced the logo for only four years before the next rebrand in 1936, it left a lasting impression on the history of automotive heraldry.
Today, the automotive “zoo” has grown to encompass nearly fifty automakers worldwide — each using animal imagery to communicate brand identity and values.
Horse Car Logos: Power, Speed, and Freedom
The horse is the most common animal in automotive heraldry — and for good reason. Horses have symbolized strength, speed, and freedom across virtually every human civilization. It’s no coincidence that engine power is still measured in horsepower. Here are the most notable car brands with horse logos:
- Ferrari – The legendary “Prancing Horse” (Cavallino Rampante) was gifted to Enzo Ferrari by the parents of World War I flying ace Francesco Baracca, whose plane bore a black rearing horse on its fuselage. The symbol became synonymous with speed and Italian passion.
- Porsche – The Stuttgart-based brand built its factory on the site of a former horse stud farm, which is why a horse occupies the centre of its iconic crest.
- Ford Mustang – Ford’s muscle car icon features a wild mustang running counter to the traditional heraldic direction, embodying American freedom and independence.
- KAMAZ – The Russian truck manufacturer uses a steppe argamak — a breed celebrated for its endurance, intelligence, and speed.
- Baojun & Eicher – Both brands feature horse heads on their logos.
- Iran Khodro – Also uses equine imagery in its branding.
- Carlsson, Iveco, Pegaso, Corre La Licorne – All feature horses or horse-related imagery in their emblems.
Big Cat Car Logos: Jaguars, Cheetahs, Lions, and Leopards
Big cats project grace, speed, ferocity, and class — qualities every performance car brand aspires to. The cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth, while the lion has been the undisputed “king of beasts” in heraldry for centuries. Big cat logos appear across a wide range of manufacturers:
- Jaguar (India) – The leaping jaguar is one of the most recognised car logos in the world, communicating predatory elegance.
- Peugeot (France) – The lion has been central to Peugeot’s identity for over 170 years.
- Holden Special Vehicles / HSV (Australia) – Features a lion on its performance badge.
- 9ff (Germany) and Cizeta (Italy) – Both use leopard or jaguar imagery.
- Spirra (South Korea) – Sports a big cat emblem befitting its performance focus.
- Roewe (China) – Features two lions on its logo, signalling luxury, dignity, and exclusivity.
- Argyll (Scotland), Bean (UK), and Proton (Malaysia) – All use lions or lion heads in their brand marks.
Bird and Griffin Car Logos: Eagles, Storks, and Mythical Creatures
Birds took flight on car emblems almost as soon as the automobile industry was born. Eagles, storks, swallows, and even mythical griffins have graced the hoods and badges of some of history’s most storied car brands.
Eagles are among the most popular bird symbols in automotive branding. Associated with the sun, strength, supremacy, and foresight, the eagle appears on the logos of:
- Eagle – Named directly after the bird
- Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV)
- Isdera (Germany)
- Russo-Balt (Russia)
- Packard – Featured an eagle feeding its eaglets
- Studebaker – Used a hawk as its emblem
Other notable bird logos include:
- Hispano-Suiza – Featured a flying stork, the emblem of French WWI flying ace Georges Guynemer’s squadron.
- Bignan (France) – Also used a flying stork on its emblem.
- Voisin – Used a bird with raised wings known as “la cocotte” (meaning “chicken” or, colloquially, “woman of easy virtue”).
- Cadillac – Historically featured ducks on its coat of arms.
- Rossion, Arash, Simca, Bizzarrini – Feature swallows, sparrows, swans, and other birds.
Griffins — the mythological winged creatures combining the body of a lion with the head of an eagle — are especially popular in European automotive heraldry. Sharp-clawed and snow-winged, they represent power, strength, and noble confidence. Car brands with griffin logos include:
- Vauxhall (UK)
- Saab (Sweden)
- Scania (Sweden)
- Gumpert (Germany)
- Iso Rivolta (Italy)
Reptile and Amphibian Car Logos: Snakes, Scorpions, and Geckos
Reptiles and amphibians bring a more exotic dimension to automotive heraldry. Ancient civilisations revered these creatures: Native Americans saw the lizard as a fertility symbol, while Egyptians associated it with wisdom and good fortune.
Car brands that feature reptiles and amphibians in their logos include:
- Abarth (Italy) – The scorpion is the brand’s defining symbol, representing sting, precision, and performance.
- Wiesmann (Germany) – Uses a gecko or iguana, representing the brand’s grip and agility.
- Gordon-Keeble (UK) – A turtle on the logo symbolises stability and long-term reliability.
Snakes are rarer but carry potent symbolism — representing wisdom, the combination of experience and foresight. Notable snake logos include:
- Alfa Romeo (Italy) – The famous green biscione, a serpent consuming a man, represents power, dominance, and swift victory over adversaries. Heraldically, it is considered one of the most striking logos in the industry.
- Dodge Viper (USA)
- Shelby (USA)
- Zarooq Motors (UAE)
Bulls, Rams, Bison, and Deer on Car Logos
Hooved animals beyond the horse have also found a firm place in automotive branding. Each carries distinct symbolism — from raw power to patience, from solar energy to national pride.
Bulls symbolise raw power, indomitability, and tireless work ethic — making them a natural choice for high-performance sports car brands:
- Lamborghini (Italy) – The charging bull is one of the most aggressive logos in the supercar world.
- Tauro Sport (Spain) – A premium sports car brand that also uses a bull.
- Morris (UK) – The bull was the classic British automaker’s traditional emblem.
- Intermeccanica and Cisitalia (Italy) – Both feature rampant bulls that blend the aggression of Lamborghini with the dynamism of Ferrari’s stallion.
Bison represent national strength and heritage:
- Kaiser (USA) – Used a bison as its emblem.
- MAZ (Belarus) – Features a Belarusian bison, a proud symbol of national identity.
Rams and sheep carry symbolic fire and solar energy in Eastern mythology — representing strength, courage, and vital passion:
- Dodge – The ram’s head is a core part of Dodge’s identity.
- RAM Trucks – The brand itself is named after the animal.
Deer appear more rarely, but with significant meaning:
- GAZ (Russia) – A red deer graces the logo of the Volga manufacturer, mirroring the deer on the coat of arms of Nizhny Novgorod, where the cars are produced.
Wolves, Dogs, and Bears on Car Logos
The final category in automotive heraldry features some of the most loyal and formidable animals in nature — wolves, dogs, and bears.
Wolves — fierce, independent, and pack-smart — appear on the logos of:
- Lobini (Brazil) – The name itself means “little wolf” in Portuguese; the brand gained international attention with its H1 sports car.
- GTA Motor – Also uses a wolf in its branding.
Dogs symbolise loyalty and devotion — man’s most trusted companion — and appear on several well-known brands:
- Mack Trucks (USA) – Uses a bulldog, representing toughness and reliability.
- Lincoln (USA) – Historically featured a hound on its emblem; the bronze and silver figure served as the brand’s logo for 14 years.
- Artega (Germany) – Also chose a dog for its brand identity.
Bears are the rarest of all animal car logos:
- YaAZ (Russia) – The Yaroslavl truck manufacturer uses a bear as its emblem, a natural choice given the bear’s deep roots in Russian national symbolism.
Why Do Car Brands Use Animal Logos?
Animal logos in the automotive industry are far more than decoration. Each creature is chosen to communicate specific brand values at a glance:
- Speed and agility – Horses, big cats, and birds of prey
- Power and strength – Bulls, bears, lions, and eagles
- Grace and refinement – Jaguars, swans, and leopards
- Loyalty and reliability – Dogs and turtles
- National identity – Bison (Belarus), deer (Russia), griffins (UK and Sweden)
- Mystique and dominance – Snakes and mythological griffins
Many animals have not only become symbols of beloved car brands, but have lent their names to the vehicles themselves — from the Ford Mustang to the Dodge Viper. When you drive a car with an animal on its badge, you’re carrying a piece of heraldic history with you on every journey. And of course, for every journey on public roads, you’ll also need a valid driver’s licence. If you haven’t obtained yours yet, we invite you to quickly and easily process an international driver’s licence on our website.
Published January 28, 2021 • 8m to read
