This document titled "A Brief History of the YMCA's Emblem and Logo" outlines the changes throughout time of the triangle, the symbol used for the YMCA. It discusses the reasoning behind Luther H. Gulick's choice to make the red triangle the symbol for the YMCA in 1891.
Text and images are owned, held, or licensed by Springfield College and are available for personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that ownership is properly cited. A credit line is required and should read: Courtesy of Springfield College, Babson Library, Archives and Special Collections. Any commercial use without written permission from Springfield College is strictly prohibited. Other individuals or entities other than, and in addition to, Springfield College may also own copyrights and other propriety rights. The publishing, exhibiting, or broadcasting party assumes all responsibility for clearing reproduction rights and for any infringement of United States copyright law.
Contact host institution for more information.
Gulick believed this symbol would stick out but not be confused with the Red Cross symbol. This triangle was then adopted for Springfield College's symbol, with the sides of the triangle meaning "spirit, mind and body." During the 1950s, a second ring was added inside the first to Springfield College's triangle. This second ring represented friendship and love without end among individuals. The document also discusses the YMCA's first emblem, and the creation of a circle with the 5 parts of the world at that time (Europa, Asia, Oceania, Africa, America) on the outer edge. Inside the circle, the first two letters of the word Christ in Latin (Chi and Rho or XP) are illustrated along with John. 17-21 representing a prayer from the bible. The emblem represented how the world is one. The YMCA logo changed over time, and eventually, in 1967, ended with a triangle and bent bar that looked like the letter Y. This logo is still used today.
