The Starbucks logo is considered one of the most recognizable logos around the world, along with brands like McDonald’s and Nike. However, unlike other prominent brands, the Starbucks logo has a somewhat controversial history.
Although many people see the logo as a cute and harmless mermaid, it actually represents a mythical mermaid. In Greek mythology, mermaids were attractive but dangerous creatures who used their seductive voices to lure sailors to their destruction. They would attract sailors to shipwreck on rocky shores, leading to their demise.
The original Starbucks logo featured a bare-breasted female mermaid with two separate serpentine tails, which some found suggestive and inappropriate. This design caused significant controversy in the company’s early days, leading to several logo redesigns.
From DoctorDavidFriedman.com:
In an article published by Revealing Truth, it was claimed that the Starbucks logo also has sinister roots. By turning the original Starbucks logo upside down, you can see the image of Satan. In 2014, Starbucks ran into trouble after its employees drew satanic pentagrams and the number “666” on its coffee foam.
In 1987, the logo went from brown to green, and the mermaid’s fully exposed animated breasts were covered by hair. However, more emphasis was placed on the crotch area which now had a triangular shape with a hole in the middle. Her arms help separate her two serpentine tails in a Yoga Baby Pose position. A San Diego-based Christian group created a movement calling for a national boycott of the coffee giant. Spokesman Mark Dice stated: “The Starbucks logo has a naked woman with her legs spread like a prostitute…the company might as well be called Slutbucks.” Harvard symbolist Gary L. Blankstein said:
“In ancient folklore, mermaids were believed to be the bodies of deceased prostitutes, possessed by the devil to take revenge on unfaithful sailors.”All the negativity finally convinced Starbucks to tone things down. In 1992, the Starbucks logo cut out the seductive Siren spreading her two legs (Uhm, I mean tails), and her torso and crotch were also removed from the frame. Finally they left a latte to the imagination.
To celebrate its 40th anniversary, Starbucks did a small logo redesign. The mermaid’s “naughty parts” still remained covered and cropped, and the words “Starbucks coffee” were removed. This decision was based on the fact that Starbucks now sold many things beyond coffee and they wanted to expand their brand.
So there you have it: the slightly creepy but intriguing backstory of the famous Starbucks logo.
Interestingly, many people still find the mythological elements of the logo attractive, and some believe that this could be a factor that draws numerous customers to the establishment on a daily basis.
Maybe it’s the allure of the mythical mermaid that keeps people coming back, because let’s face it, paying $5 for a cup of coffee that tastes like water doesn’t seem to make much sense otherwise…
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