What Is The Red Wheel With Wings Logo?

The red wheel with wings logo is an ancient and widely recognized symbol that has been used for thousands of years. Its origins can be traced back to ancient India, where it held deep spiritual meaning in both Hinduism and Buddhism.

The earliest known use of the red wheel with wings motif dates back to around 200 BCE in Buddhist art and architecture. It represents the ‘chakravartin’ – the ideal universal emperor who rules ethically and benevolently over all four directions. The circular wheel symbolizes the teachings of Buddha, referred to as the ‘Dharma’, while the 32 spokes represent the 32 major characteristics of a Buddha’s physical body. The wings represent spiritual ascent.

Over the centuries, the symbol has been adapted across different cultures and belief systems, but it continues to broadly convey notions of spiritual guidance, movement, and freedom. Today it is instantly recognizable worldwide and used in a variety of contexts beyond religion, including politics, business, popular culture and more.

Meaning and Symbolism

The red wheel with wings is a powerful and ancient Buddhist symbol that represents the teachings of the Buddha. Specifically, the wheel represents the Noble Eightfold Path, the Buddha’s guide to spiritual enlightenment and cessation of suffering. The wings symbolize compassion, wisdom, and spiritual strength.

According to Winged wheel, the wheel with wings has long stood for transportation, speed, and progress in various cultures. In Buddhism, it took on more profound meaning related to spirituality and enlightenment. The red color signifies compassion and the blood spilled by Buddha to spread his teachings.

Together, the red wings and wheel depict the Buddha’s peaceful messages taking flight across the world. The wings provide the means for the wheel and its spiritual truths to spread far and wide. Some interpret the wings as representing the wisdom that lifts the wheel of law ever higher. Overall, this iconic image beautifully captures core Buddhist ideals.

Use in Buddhism

The Dharma wheel is one of the oldest and most iconic symbols of Buddhism. It represents the Buddha’s teachings of the path to enlightenment. The wheel symbolizes the turning of the Dharma, or Buddhist teachings, like the continuous rotation of a wheel. It is often paired with a deer on either side, representing the first sermon of the Buddha at Sarnath where he set the wheel of Dharma in motion (Source: Wikipedia).

The eight spokes of the Dharma wheel represent the Eightfold Path, which are right view, right resolve, right speech, right conduct, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right samadhi or concentration. Following this path is intended to lead one out of the cycle of suffering and rebirth (Source: Zen Buddhism). The wheel symbolizes the Buddha’s teachings spreading from India to the rest of the world.

Use in Politics

The wheel with wings logo has been adopted by several political parties and movements, often representing far-right or white nationalist ideologies. This includes the now-defunct National Front party in France and more recently the alt-right movement in the United States.

During the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia in August 2017, many alt-right protesters were seen carrying shields bearing the wheel with wings logo. This prompted the NHL’s Detroit Red Wings to release a statement condemning the use of their trademarked logo, which is very similar to the generic wheel with wings design.1

The adoption of this logo by racist political groups stems from its resemblance to the Sonnenrad or sunwheel, an ancient European symbol appropriated by the Nazis. However, the generic wheel with wings design lacks the angular stylized spokes of the actual Sonnenrad.

Use in Businesses

The red wheel with wings logo has been adopted by various companies and organizations as part of their own branding and identity over the years. Some examples include:

The Detroit Red Wings NHL hockey team, which has used a modified version of the logo on their jerseys and merchandise since 1932. The red wheel with wings represents the automobile industry in Detroit.

Some financial services companies like Wheeler Financial in Texas feature the red winged wheel in their logos as a symbol of progress and forward thinking.

Certain transportation and distribution companies especially favor the winged wheel logo to represent their industry and evoke a sense of speed and reliability.

A number of restaurants and bars have incorporated the red wheel with wings into signage and branding to associate with history, travel, adventure, and exploration.

Use in Popular Culture

The red wheel with wings logo has made many notable appearances in popular culture over the years. As the iconic symbol of the Detroit Red Wings hockey team, it is frequently referenced in films, TV shows, books, video games, and other media.

Some of the most memorable pop culture appearances of the logo include:

• The Simpsons – In the episode “Bart the Lover”, Bart Simpson writes a fake love letter signing it as “Woodrow”, pretending to be the fictional caretaker of the Detroit Red Wings’ hockey rink. The letter features the Red Wings logo at the top.
• Family Guy – In the episode “If I’m Dyin’, I’m Lyin'”, Peter Griffin pretends he is dying to prevent the local television station from canceling his favorite show. When Lois asks him what his dying wish is, Peter responds that he wants to touch the Stanley Cup and have sex with all of the 1980s Detroit Red Wings.
• various video games like NHL 94, NHL 2004, and NHL 2K3 feature the iconic Red Wings logo and team.

The widespread use of the logo demonstrates its status as an instantly recognizable symbol of hockey and sports culture. As the Red Wings remain one of the most popular and successful NHL franchises, fans continue to be exposed to the iconic red wheel with wings in movies, shows, books, and more across various forms of media.

(References:Best Detroit Red Wings Pop Culture References Red Wings origin Story

Copyright and Trademark

The Detroit Red Wings winged wheel logo is a registered trademark of the Detroit Red Wings NHL hockey team. According to Detroit Red Wings Trademarks, the logo was first used in 1932 when the team changed its name to the Red Wings after being purchased by James Norris. Norris designed the winged wheel logo based on the Montreal AAA hockey club’s logo that he had previously played for.

The Red Wings aggressively defend their trademark rights over the logo. In 2017, a Michigan political group called the Detroit Right Wings used a similar winged wheel logo for their organization. The Red Wings sent them a cease and desist letter demanding they stop using the logo. As explained by Can the Detroit Red Wings sue the Detroit Right Wings, the hockey team could sue for trademark infringement even if the Right Wings group did not profit from using a similar logo.

Cultural Significance

The red wheel with wings logo holds deep cultural and religious significance globally. It has been an important Buddhist symbol for thousands of years, representing the Buddha’s teachings of the Noble Eightfold Path that leads to enlightenment. The wheel symbolizes the Dharma, or cosmic law and order. The wings represent spiritual progress.

In Buddhism, the red color of the wheel is associated with active force and the purification of defilement. The logo is thought to have protective powers and is commonly displayed at temples, on amulets, and in homes to ward off evil (Source).

Beyond Buddhism, the symbol has come to represent good luck, strength, and the cycle of life in many Asian cultures. It remains an iconic and meaningful image that has stood the test of time.

Design Variations

The red wheel with wings logo has been interpreted in various artistic styles over the years. The original design in the 1920s featured more angular, stylized wings compared to the smoother, curved wings used today.

In the 1930s, the wings were redrawn in a more rounded, Art Deco style. The wheel was simplified from having individual spokes to being depicted as a solid red disc.

Modern versions often add dimension with gradients, shadows, and highlights. Some alternate designs incorporate 3D elements, metallic textures, or bolder colors like gold instead of yellow.

The logo has also been adapted into many different mediums, rendered in mosaic, sculpture, embroidery, and engraving on championship rings. Each interpretation provides a unique take on this iconic symbol.

Regardless of artistic style, the basic elements of the wheel and wings are incorporated in some form to maintain the logo’s instantly recognizable identity.

Conclusion

The red wheel with wings logo holds cultural significance across various sectors globally. With roots in ancient Buddhism, it remains an important spiritual symbol representing the teachings of Buddha and the Noble Eightfold Path. Though its meaning has transformed over centuries, the logo continues to represent concepts like wisdom, truth, and the cycle of samsara.

Modern applications in business and politics have further popularized the logo. Its eye-catching color and unique design make it memorable as a brand identifier. Some companies have trademarked variations for commercial use. The logo also appears in pop culture through music, films, and video games – exposing new generations to its symbolic power.

Ultimately, the red wheel with wings endures as an influential image, conveying deep meaning about life’s journey toward enlightenment. Its longevity demonstrates the logo’s ability to reinvent itself while retaining its core identity. Whether signifying Buddhist dharma, political ideology, or commercial branding, the red wheel with wings retains global relevance.