Juventus is a reputable soccer team from Italy that competes in Serie A, the main league in the nation. In terms of titles gained in confederations, it comes in sixth place in Europe. The club first emerged in Turin in 1897, owing to a group of students.
Meaning and History
On November 1, 1897, 13 students from Turin’s Lycée D’Azeglio gathered on the lawn between King Umberto and Prince Victor Emmanuel to organize a soccer team. Finding a location for its meetings was a challenge for the club. The first president of Juventus was Eugenio Campari, a 20-year-old student who provided his family’s bicycle repair building.
“Turin” is a Latin word that means “bull.” The capital of Piedmont, Turin, and Juventus both have this horned creature as part of their coats of arms. Juventus achieved a crucial milestone in 1985, the year of the Bull, by winning the first of two Champions Cups. The triumph came in a historic but sad match at Heysel, when 39 spectators died. Liverpool lost 1-0 against Juventus.
Juventus’ first jerseys were pink, but a manufacturing accident in 1903 led to them becoming black and white. They chose to save the damaged ones rather than spend money on replacements, which is how the fabled black and white stripes came into being. Juventus were known as the Bianconeri, the black and white team, because Englishman John Savage, a member, later brought the black and white stripes from Notts County.
For many years, the emblem of Juventus sported a depiction of a zebra, and correspondingly, the team garnered the moniker of the “zebras”. Nevertheless, enduringly etched in the annals of popularity is the epithet “Vecchia Signora” – a title that resonates with the concept of “Old Signora”. As the tale goes, this endearing moniker was bestowed upon the team by fervent Torino supporters during the 1930s. Evidently, Juventus players donned jerseys a few sizes too expansive, which, when caught by the whims of the wind, gave rise to the visual semblance of a gentle elevation. Hence, they were affectionately dubbed “the old signora”.
What is Juventus?
Juventus stands as an illustrious Italian soccer team, a prominent contender in the prestigious echelons of Serie A, both within the domestic arena and on the grand European and UEFA stages. A legacy of triumph positions it at the sixth rank among European victors, etching its name in history’s pages.
1905 – 1921
The inaugural iteration of the Juventus emblem took on the semblance of a heraldic insignia. Adorning an ornate oval frame, adorned with the iconic black and white stripes, stood a robust bull on its hind legs, emblematic of power and unyielding resolve. A regal crown graced the apex of the emblem, symbolizing the club’s aspiration for greatness.
The inscription “Juventus” found its residence on a band at the center of the frame, scripted in elegant capital letters. Moreover, positioned above the oval, the Latin motto of the team graced the design: “Non coronabitur nisi qui legitime certaverit”, translating to “One shall not be crowned except through legitimate effort”.
1921 – 1928
The 1920s rendition witnessed a pronounced simplification, retaining solely the oval frame and its defining elements. The shimmering gold hue meticulously traced the contours of the emblem, encompassing the letters, the crown, and the bull. The appellation was inscribed on a captivating azure stripe, which retained its proportions and form in close alignment with the preceding emblem.
1928 – 1931
Up until 1970, the majority of emblem iterations adhered to a similar structure, with the exception of the distinctive 1928 version. This anomaly emerged due to the creative proposition of Carlo Bergoglio, an Italian journalist, who advocated for a bold transformation – replacing the iconic Turin bull with a zebra, thus aligning the emblem with the club’s unofficial moniker, Le Zebre.
Designers warmly welcomed this inventive notion, leading to subtle but effective adjustments. In 1928, athletes proudly donned a monochromatic black and white logo, where the central bull transformed into a zebra, depicted against the backdrop of the traditional stripes. The team nameplate expanded in prominence and transitioned to a white hue against a black background.
1931 – 1977
After several years of embracing the zebra emblem, a pivotal decision emerged, bidding farewell to it in favor of a robust bull depicted on its hind legs. The creature projected its head forward, its horns strikingly pronounced and memorable.
The crown underwent a reimagining, being expanded and reshaped to resemble an impregnable fortress wall. The lettering adopted a geometric design, diverging from conventional typefaces, and embodying a distinctive and bespoke character. Departing from the golden yellow tones of 1921-1929, the elements now radiated a lustrous shade of light brown.
1977 – 1982
The remarkable stereo logo of 1977 encompassed a three-dimensional image, with skillfully blurred outlines layered upon one another to evoke a sense of depth. Emanating a luminous brilliance above the zebra was a white, five-pointed star. Positioned just below, the inscription “Juventus F.C.” found its rightful place.
1982 – 1989
In subsequent iterations, the designers opted to recalibrate the proportions of emblem components. The zebra assumed more modest dimensions and found itself encapsulated within the team’s nameplate, the letters “F” and “C” flanking the creature on its right and left respectively. This harmonious arrangement accentuated the prominence of the club’s name, while retaining the emblem’s distinct and captivating appearance.
1989 – 2004
Post a minor refinement, the emblem journeyed back to its origins. The crown evoked reminiscences of the emblem from 1905-1921, invoking a timeless essence. Similarly, the bull exhibited resemblances to its predecessor, yet masterfully redesigned, veiling its identity within its silhouette.
The outer contour was decorated with a radiant golden line, reminiscent of the version from 1921-1929. Noteworthy, the emblem proudly showcased two glistening, five-pointed gold stars above the oval shield, underscoring the emblem’s regal aura.
2004 – 2017
The 2004 emblem was characterized by stylized minimalism, while steadfastly upholding the historical Juventus symbolism. Adhering to modern standards, the design harmonized simplicity, symmetry, and fluid lines.
A restrained color code was employed: pristine white forming the backdrop, luminous yellow accentuating the line beneath the team name, and a deep, rich brown shade adorning the remaining elements. Three bold black stripes were elegantly inscribed within the oval, yet not extending to its edge. The team name occupied the upper segment, accompanied by a graceful arc-shaped yellow stripe at the lower extremity.
Nestled at the base within a protective shield, a white bull emerged in alluring three-dimensional splendor. During this period, additional variations emerged – both in 2D, one featuring stars and the other without.
2017 – today
Shedding the crown, Turin bull, zebra, and the conventional oval form, the new emblem embraced an unembellished composition. It solely comprised the text “JUVENTUS” flanked by two sleek, jagged black symbols, punctuated by a serene expanse of negative space.
2020 – today
The already iconic logo was further simplified. The team removed the full name, keeping only the “J” initial. Its clean look with sharp lines and sophisticated and powerful black and white color palette create a feeling of pride and strength. The white line running through the letter symbolizes a sharp rise and strive towards excellence and a better future. The logo is quite recognizable even without having any inscriptions or other elements.
Font
The innovative font adorning the word “JUVENTUS” was the brainchild of creative luminaries at Interbrand. The Italian team’s nameplate embraced elongated, serif-free typography, exuding modern sophistication. Each letter stood resolute in title case, lending the emblem an air of boldness and prominence.
Color
The contemporary club emblem blends black, gold, and white elements. However, in preceding iterations, the inclusion of the blue hue paid homage to Turin’s coat of arms.
