Chicago Bears logo history
The Chicago Bears identify the orange bear head as their primary logo in the team’s brand guidelines. It became the sole primary mark in the 2023 brand hierarchy, but the artwork itself predates that designation. The familiar wishbone C remains a secondary team mark, so both symbols are still part of the Bears’ identity.
Current Chicago Bears logo vs. the old logo
New
Old
The wishbone C represents Chicago’s initial. The bear head shows a roaring animal facing forward, with orange fur and navy facial details. In 2023, the Bears designated the existing bear-head artwork as their sole primary logo. The C continues to appear on their helmets as a secondary mark.
Is the Bears logo the bear head or the C?
The bear head is the primary visual identifier; the wishbone C is a secondary logo. The head uses orange fur, navy interior shapes and white accents. The C remains one of the NFL’s most recognizable helmet marks and directly identifies Chicago.
When did the Chicago Bears start playing?
The franchise began in 1920 as the Decatur Staleys, moved to Chicago in 1921 and became the Bears in 1922. Its long history includes several bear drawings as well as the wishbone C. That continuity explains why an older emblem can remain familiar even when the official primary designation changes.
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