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"The Y" redirects here.

1881–present

World Alliance of YMCAs logo

This was the founding organization's original logo and is today the logo of the World Alliance of YMCAs. The text in the center refers to a verse from the Christian Holy Bible's New Testament book of John, 17:21 ("That they may be one"), which was and remains the organization's motto.

1891–1895

Ymca1891

This is the first known appearance of the red triangle which is still used in the organization's logo today, as proposed by Luther H. Gulick, MD in 1891. The equal sides of the triangle stand for “man’s essential unity, body, mind and spirit, each being a necessary and eternal part of man, he being neither one alone…”[1]

1895–1896

Ymca1895

In 1895, the annual convention of the U.S. and Canadian YMCAs authorized adding the Gulick triangle to the old World Alliance insignia.[2]

1896–1897

Ymca1896

In 1896, the logo was simplified and a second ring added, representing friendship and love without end among individuals.[2]

1897–present

Ymca1897

This is the first simplified modern version of the logo, which appeared up. The text inside the red triangle has been dropped, and only the triangle itself and the organization's initials remain. All religious imagery and references have also been deleted.

1996–present (Worldwide)

YMCAlogo

In 1996, the organization's National Board approved this logo design, created by a Chicago, IL designer at the behest of the Chicago YMCA's then General Executive, John Root. "We had shaped and reshaped, used and abused our symbol so much that no strong, single corporate identity came through," Root said at the time explaining the need for a new logo.[2] It incorporates a smaller red triangle and emphasizes the group's first initial, reflecting the fact that by this time most people referred to the group and its facilities simply as "the Y."

2010–present (United States)

The Y logo 2010

The YMCA in the United States revealed a new identity in July 12, 2010, now officially calling itself the Y. Siegel & Gale were behind the new identity. This logo had received negative reviews and criticism.[3]

The new logo exists in several different versions, some with and some without gradients, and several different color combinations.

References

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