In this article
The Mercedes-Benz three-pointed star represents Daimler’s ambition to power transport on land, at sea and in the air. It was registered as a trademark by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) in 1909, reportedly inspired by a star Gottlieb Daimler had drawn on a postcard years earlier to mark his home, telling his wife it would one day rise over his factory. After the 1926 merger with Benz, the star was combined with Benz’s laurel wreath, and it has since been simplified into the ringed star seen on every Mercedes-Benz today.
At a glance
| Registered | 1909, by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft |
| Meaning | Engines for land, sea and air |
| Inspiration | A star Gottlieb Daimler drew on a postcard |
| Merger logo | 1926, star within Benz’s laurel wreath |
| Today | Three-pointed star in a ring |
Daimler’s postcard
According to company history, Gottlieb Daimler once marked his house on a postcard of the town of Deutz with a star, telling his wife that it would one day shine over his own factory. After his death, his sons Paul and Adolf Daimler remembered the story and proposed a star as DMG’s trademark.
Three points
DMG registered both a three-pointed and a four-pointed star in 1909, and chose the three-pointed version. The three points are generally explained as Daimler’s goal of motorizing land, water and air — reflecting that Daimler engines powered cars, boats and aircraft.
The ring and the wreath
A ring was added around the star in the 1910s–1920s. Benz & Cie used a laurel wreath around the name Benz. When the two companies merged in 1926, the new logo placed the star inside the wreath with the words Mercedes and Benz. Over time the wreath was replaced by a simple ring.
The standing star
For decades, Mercedes sedans carried a stand-up star on the hood — a proud symbol that today survives on models like the S-Class and Maybach. Sportier models carry a large star in the grille. See the Spirit of Ecstasy for Rolls-Royce’s equivalent.
A symbol of quality
The star has become one of the most recognized brand marks in the world, associated with engineering, safety and luxury. It is also a common sight in chauffeured fleets. See our Mercedes-Benz S-Class and read the history of Mercedes-Benz.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What does the Mercedes star represent?
Daimler’s ambition to power transport on land, at sea and in the air.
When was the Mercedes star created?
It was registered as a trademark in 1909 by Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft.
Why do some Mercedes have a hood ornament and others a grille star?
Traditional luxury models like the S-Class use a stand-up hood star, while sportier models carry a large star in the grille.
