History of the Cadillac Emblem
Cadillac was named for a real person, Antoine Laumet De Lamothe-Cadillac who founded the city of Detroit in 1701. While his lineage to ancient French nobility has not been proven, the name Cadillac certainly means a classy car today. The emblem's design is based on a coat of arms probably designed by Cadillac himself. It incorporates many common heraldry symbols. The Cadillac emblem has evolved over time, but every version (until the 21st century) had incorporated the same shield design.
Symbolism
The 6-pointed crown represents the oldest known branches of French nobility. Each set of 3 birds, known as merlettes or martins, represents the Holy Trinity. The colored bands in the other sections each have a specific meaning--red represents boldness; silver, purity; and blue, valor.
Early Years
From 1905 through the 1920s, the Cadillac emblem usually appeared inside a circle. It was either shown alone or inside an octagon.
Art Deco
In the late 1920s and 1930s, the emblem was placed in the center of a set of Art Deco wings. The Art Deco aesthetic was based on geometric designs and Egyptian-inspired motifs.
Post World War II
The "V," which stood for V-8, was added after World War II. The "V" disappeared in the 1970s.
Wreath
The wreath design was introduced in 1963 and first appeared on the Eldorado.
Modern Era
In 2000, Cadillac redesigned the emblem. It is now an abstract version of the detailed crest that was used throughout the 20th century.
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