The YMCA’s official emblem—commonly referred to as the “John logo”—was first adopted by the YMCA World Alliance in 1896 and was registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in 1965.  Great history and meaning are built into this symbol of the YMCA movement.

First Circle:   represents the oneness of mankind as designed in an original emblem dated 1881.

Second Circle:  was added in the 1950’s, represents friendship and love without end among individuals.

Red Triangle:  proposed by Springfield College Professor Luther H. Gulick in 1891.  Gulick said the sides of the triangle stood for “man’s essential unity-spirit, mind, and body—each being necessary and eternal part of man, being neither one alone but all three.”

By 1895, the red triangle was added to the original World Alliance insignia.  Today, the red triangle also stands alone, serving as the international symbol of the YMCA-it ranks among the top three most recognized logos in the world.

The Bible:  open to John 17:21, “That they all may be one.”  This became “the supreme expression of the ecumenical purposes of the World Alliance of YMCAs” wrote one historian.