Cultural Logos

CULTURAL LOGOS

The University’s heritage dates back to 1885 and is rich in diversity and character. To recognize and celebrate our distinct cultures, a dedicated team of students, faculty, staff, campus cultural groups and alumni collaborated to create the first official University of Arizona Cultural Logos.

Each cultural logo includes three distinct parts: Cultural icons, the Wildcat brand mark and a title that represents the expression or celebration of each culture. Every icon has been thoughtfully developed from team input and recognizes the importance of cultural nuance. While these represent the uniqueness of our cultural communities, they also form a common connection, the Wildcat brand mark.

The current suite of cultural logos includes LGBTQ+ HeritageAsian Pacific HeritageHispanic HeritageNative American Heritage, and Black History

 

Request a Cultural Logo

Please review the usage and approval guidelines. Then, complete the request form:

CULTURAL LOGO REQUEST FORM

Should you have any questions, reach out at licensing@arizona.edu.

LGBTQ+ Heritage

Our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer+ culture empowers individuals to live openly and without shame. Together, we elevate each other so all are seen, heard and feel protected, opening doors for all to pave their own paths of possibility.

The LGBTQ+ cultural logo’s distinct iconography represents a long history of queer resistance as well as elements of progress, love and solidarity. Launched in October, National LGBTQ History Month, the campaign includes merchandise sold through the Arizona BookStores, benefitting students through the LGBTQ+2S resource center.

Resistance through existence.

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LGBTQ heritage icon set

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LGBTQ icons

 

Heart – Love
Liberation Day March – 1970 first pride march in NYC
Saguaro Cactus – Arizona
Pride in rainbow colors – Visibility of LGBTQ+ people as a social group, represented with the six-colors of the Pride flag
Stonewall – The Manhattan bar where police raids launched a series of riots, transforming the gay liberation movement
10 – 10 principles of disability justice
Pride Stole – Graduation, achievement, LGBTQ+ pride
Brick – Representing the myth about a thrown brick that launched the Stonewall Inn riots
ABLM – All Black Lives Matter

Street Sweeps – 1966 San Francisco youth protested police sweeps with a "street sweep" protest
Act Up – Nazi pink triangle reclaimed in 1970 by pro-gay activists
Marsha's Crown – Trans icon Marsha P. Johnson's signature accessory
Trans Day of Resilience – November 20, an annual memorial honoring lives lost
Black Spade – Symbolizing aromantic asexuality
Lavender Plant – Design element
Pronouns – Used to understand and affirm gender identity
T-bottle/e-pills – Hormone therapy
Red Ribbon – Support and solidarity for those living with HIV

Ballroom – Symbolizing the African American and Latino drag-queen sub-culture that began in NYC
Combahee River Collective – Key document in the history of contemporary Black feminism and identity politics
Drag – Clothing and makeup to imitate female gender
Love is Love – No permission needed
Red Hand – Solidarity with missing and murdered indigenous women
STAR – Street Transgender Action Revolutionaries
Intersectionality Symbol – Not belonging solely in one group or another


APIDA Heritage

Our Asian, Pacific Islander and Desi American Heritage is a celebration of many cultures, dozens of nationalities and hundreds of languages. The term APIDA is pan-ethnic and includes South Asians (Desi) as part of this vibrant community.

The cultural logo is an expression of the APIDA community, with distinct iconography representing elements of nature, traditional foods and contributions to music and education. The celebratory campaign in May, National APIDA Heritage Month, includes stories and promotes merchandise sold through the Arizona BookStores at shop.arizona.edu/apida, benefitting students through Asian Pacific American Student Affairs.

MULTIPLE CULTURES, ONE COMMUNITY.

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APIDA logo graphics

icons

 

Arch – traditional Asian temple, signifies great achievement

Bamboo – a plant with notable economic and cultural significance throughout Asia

“Block A” – The University of Arizona

Blossoms – nature
Book – contributions to education
Burst – design element
Saguaro Cactus – Arizona
Coconut – eaten by all Asian Pacific American cultures
Desi Design – Desi culture
Dragon Boat – Islander and Asian cultures

Family – a core value 
Fish – Islander culture
Flowers & leaves – nature 
Lotus – represents the APA Student Cultural Center on campus
Mango – eaten by all APA cultures
Noodles – eaten by all APA cultures
Ocean – Islander culture
Old Main – The University of Arizona
Palm Tree – Islander culture 
Perseverance – describes the APA community

Pineapple – eaten by all APA cultures
Pipa – contributions to music
Rice – eaten by all APA cultures
Samoan Design – Samoan culture
Sitar – contributions to music
Soy Sauce – eaten by all APA cultures
Sprout – design element
Sun – signifies perseverance
Taj Mahal – sacred buildings and architecture 
Tradition – important customs part of all APA cultures
Wave – Islander culture 
Writings: “Welcome” in Korean, Samoan, Thai and Urdu


Hispanic Heritage

One in four undergraduate students at the University self-identifies as Hispanic. This cultural logo and program reflect our mission as a designated Hispanic Serving Institution to serve and support our Hispanic students. The distinct iconography around music, food, family and community is detailed below.

The original launch of this logo coincided with National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15, 2020). Each year, our celebration campaign includes merchandise sold through the BookStores at shop.arizona.edu/gatosporvida, benefiting students through the Adalberto and Ana Guerrero Student Center, and quotes from individuals and groups across the University featured on our main social channels.

GATOS POR VIDA!

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Hispanic Heritage logo graphic

HH2

 

Flowers – variety of flora
Iguana – variety of reptiles
"Block A" – The University of Arizona
Saguaro Cactus – Arizona
Bongo Drum – deep drum sounds
Pyramid – unique architecture and ancestors
Maracas – hand-held instruments
Guitar – one of the oldest instruments

Hand Fan – gatherings, weather
Embroidery Embellishments – textiles, color, threads, embroidery, artisans
Hummingbird – variety of birds and ancestors
Pottery Designs – Talavera pottery, ceramics, art
Sun – happiness, beaches
Pineapple – variety of fruits
Coffee – a common plant, a conversational drink

Los Gatos – Wildcats
Tambourine – hand-held instruments
Soccer Ball – fútbol, a universal language
Heart – passion
Familia – family is a core value
Music Symbols – love for music
Limes – love for food


 

Native American Heritage

The University of Arizona resides on indigenous homelands of the Tohono O’odham and the Pascua Yaqui people, and we recognize the identities of the 22 sovereign nations of Arizona. This cultural logo is an expression of our Native American community with distinct iconography around artifacts and nature that symbolize values held by our diverse tribes. The celebratory campaign coincides with national Native American Heritage Month (November).

SKODEN (LET'S GO) WILDCATS!

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NAlogo2

NAicons

 

Eagle Feather – Navajo symbol of high honor
Water Symbol – signifies life, fertility and purity
Corn Stalk – sustenance
Rainbow – friendship and peace
Pottery – used by Southern Arizona tribes
Red Hand – spiritual power, strength, domination and protection
Basketry – used by Southern Arizona tribes
Earth Symbol – featured on the Hopi flag
Squash Blossom Necklace – traditional Navajo necklace
Saguaro Cactus – Arizona
Eight-pointed Star – hope and guidance
Four Directions – various meanings, based on tribe
Butterfly – symbol of change
Yaqui Flower – traditional flower for the Pascua Yaqui Tribe
Man in the Maze – traditional symbol, our journey through life

Hopi Rain Cloud – symbol for good prospects in the future
Vegetation – design element
Four-pointed Star – various meanings, based on tribe
Diamond – various meanings, based on tribe 
Mountains – Arizona
22 Sovereign Nations 
– 22 tribes in Arizona
Gourd Rattle – three kingdoms in Native American culture: animal, mineral and plant
Cloud Design – featured on Native American flags
Four Directions – various meanings, based on tribe
Wildflower – symbolizes life, for most western tribes
Sun with Fields – featured on Arizona tribal flags
Spiral – various meanings, based on tribe
Water is Life – the sacred nature of water
"Block A" – The University of Arizona
River/water – life, fertility and purity
Yucca Plant – a medicinal plant

Wildflower – symbolizes life, for most western tribes
Wildcat Paw – The University of Arizona
Arrowhead – alertness
Skoden – “Let’s go!”
​​​Tribal Cats – a name that UArizona Native American students and alumni use
Traditional staff – various meanings, based on tribe
Dragonfly – happiness, speed and purity
Hummingbird – playfulness and swift movement; a traditional Pascua Yaqui symbol
Lightning – power and speed; featured on the Arizona Apache tribal flags
Flying eagle – courage, wisdom and strength
Drum – the heartbeat of Mother Earth
Chukson – meaning “spring at the foot of a black mountain:” the name used by the Tohono O’odham, before Tucson


 

Black History

Our Black history is a celebration of progress. A divine network that lifts us higher and strengthens our dreams. Together, we stand on the shoulders of those who create and improve everyday life for everyone, not just the select few. The Black History cultural logo is part of our celebration of National Black History Month throughout February. Its distinct iconography represents innovations in the arts and sciences and symbols of community and activism. The launch campaign includes stories shared throughout the month through social media and online through Athletics, and merchandise sold through the Arizona BookStores at shop.arizona.edu/bhm benefiting students through African American Student Affairs.

UBUNTU (I AM BECAUSE YOU ARE) WILDCATS!

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Black History Month logo graphic
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BHM icons desktop

Afro Pick – created by two Black inventors
ABLM – current civil rights movement for All Black Lives Matter
1908 – founding year of historic Black sorority Alpha Kappa Alpha
1906 – founding year of historic Black fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha
Basketball – prominent sport in the Black community
Book – contributions to literature
Branch – design element
Hairbrush – created by a Black inventor
Buffalo – honoring the Buffalo soldiers stationed at Fort Huachuca
1913 – founding year of historic Black sorority Delta Sigma Theta
Djembe Drum – traditional African drum
Eighth Note – contributions to music
Elaborate Flower – design element
NASA Equation – Katherine Johnson’s contributions to NASA

Family – family is a core value
Football – prominent sport in the Black community
Hot Comb – created by a Black inventor
1963 – founding year of historic Black fraternity Iota Phi Theta
Jazz Drums – contributions to music
Juneteenth Flag – recognition of the Juneteenth holiday
Kente Stole – traditional for Black graduates at commencement
Mud Cloth Arrows – fabric patterns from Mali
Mud Cloth Lines – fabric patterns from Mali
Mud Cloth Long – fabric patterns from Mali
Mud Cloth Triangles – fabric patterns from Mali
Multitone Fist – Black solidarity, with different skin tones
1911 – founding year of historic Black fraternities Kappa Alpha Psi and Omega Psi Phi

Peanut – a Black scientist created hundreds of products using peanuts, sweet potatoes and soybeans
Pen – contributions to literature
1914 – founding year of historic Black fraternity Phi Beta Sigma
Saxophone – contributions to music
1922 - founding year of historic Black sorority Sigma Gamma Rho
Solid Fist – Black solidarity
Star Flower – design element
Three Notes – contributions to music
Track Shoe – prominent sport in the Black community
Traffic Light – Garrett Morgan’s contribution to the traffic light
Trumpet – contributions to music
Ubuntu – African saying that means “I am because you are”
X Flower – design element
1920 – founding year of historic Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta
“Block A” – The University of Arizona