Comments on: Toyota: The Symbol

By: J-L

J-L — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 15:29:00 +0000

I’m pretty sure that the inner horizontal oval is supposed to be a steering wheel, while the vertical oval is supposed to be a driver’s face (with the “dot” at the bottom being the driver’s mouth in the act of saying “Oh, no!” or “Aaaaaaaaaah!”).

The outer horizontal oval could be viewed as the frame of the windshield, or just ignored.

By: Rain

Rain — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 16:19:34 +0000

I’m with Matthew C. The first thing I saw was a fallen halo.

By: Kevin A

Kevin A — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 15:04:42 +0000

Now that I noticed the thin sides, I see the vertical ellipse alone as a full smiling face in the BEFORE and a sad face in the AFTER. The horizontal ellipse outlines the top of the mouth area; above, it reflects the lifted or dropped cheek area just below the eyes.
I feel that having experience with vertically exaggerated cartoon faces may be essential for seeing it; for me, the image is very elusive but very strong.

(If I can remember an example, I’ll post it.)

By: The Bad Seed

The Bad Seed — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:18:00 +0000

It could be a simple “belly-up” thing, but my first thought was a middle finger. After all, the news yesterday was that Toyota is under federal investigation for not investigating the reported problems thoroughly enough - namely, hastily blaming the floor mats and sticky pedals, rather than looking at the electrical system. Definitely could be construed as an F-you to consumers, huh?

By: Powers

Powers — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 13:09:22 +0000

Oh for pete’s sake, it’s an EYE!

By: Nick B Rowler

Nick B Rowler — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 04:25:27 +0000

It looks like a rocket ship.

By: Rachael

Rachael — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 03:47:14 +0000

well, i was a “Holt Rocket” for two years, and the first thing i see with the flipped one is, well, a rocket. so, when i saw the first, i sawing a rocket crashing to Earth. i doubt that’s what it’s supposed to be, but that’s what i see…

By: Elyrest

Elyrest — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:12:10 +0000

I have no idea what the switched symbols mean, but I enjoy the speculation. After reading the Star Wars stuff and Toyota I am now seeing the word Toyota as “Toy Yoda”.

I think it is time to put down the computer.

By: Pete

Pete — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:42:03 +0000

Yeah, I agree. The image hasn’t been turned upside- down. The horizontal oval has fallen from the top to the bottom. Some of the vertical oval has collected into a dot, leaving some of the sides thinner.

But what it means is a mystery.

By: cydu

cydu — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 01:25:42 +0000

I took it as loose parts of the logo flying to the back under the force of acceleration, but that’s pretty weak, too.