Lion, bird and red rose of Lancaster: what badges of England’s top clubs mean

This 1xBet Singapore review explores the symbolism behind the iconic Premier League clubs’ badges. 

Manchester United and red devil 

The current version of the Manchester United crest was introduced in 1998, and its shape resembles Liverpool’s badge from the 1940s. A sailing ship representing a merchant vessel appears at the center, while a red devil holding a trident is another important element. This symbol was introduced in the 1960s thanks to Sir Matt Busby – the legendary manager borrowed the idea from a rugby team from Salford. The red devil with a trident was intended to emphasize the team’s aggressive style of play and intimidate opponents. Above and below the shield are banners bearing the words Manchester and United, respectively, with vintage-style footballs positioned between them. The primary colors are red and yellow. 

Liverpool and liver bird

The Liverpool crest has changed several times, but the mythical Liver Bird, a symbol of the city that, according to legend, protects its people, has remained a constant feature. The bird, holding a sprig of broom in its beak, appears on a triangular shield topped by the famous Shankly Gates at Anfield. Between the gates and the shield is the club’s famous anthem, You’ll Never Walk Alone. Two torches representing eternal flames in memory of the 97 fans who died as a result of the Hillsborough disaster are positioned on either side. A ribbon at the bottom bears the year 1892, when the club was founded. The primary colors are red, white, and green. 

Manchester City and red rose of Lancaster

In 2016, Manchester City returned to a round badge, moving away from the aggressive golden eagle with three stars. Inside the inner circle, a sailing ship represents maritime trade via the Manchester Ship Canal and the city’s connection to the sea. The red rose of Lancaster featured there recalls Manchester’s historical ties to the county. The three diagonal blue stripes below the ship symbolize the three rivers flowing through Manchester: the Irwell, the Medlock, and the Irk. The word Manchester runs along the top, with City at the bottom. The numbers 18 and 94 are placed on either side, together forming 1894, the year the club was founded. The primary colors are sky blue, white, and navy blue. 

Chelsea and lion with staff

The Chelsea crest was inspired by elements from the Metropolitan Borough of Chelsea’s coat of arms. The lion comes from the family coat of arms of Earl Cadogan, Viscount Chelsea, who chaired the club and owned the land surrounding the stadium. The staff held by the lion represents the crozier of the Abbot of Westminster, whose jurisdiction once extended over Chelsea. This completes the inner part of the design. The word Chelsea curves along the top of the outer ring, with Football Club following the same curve at the bottom. On either side are a vintage-style football and a rose, a symbol of England. In 2026, the design underwent a minor update. Virtually nothing changed apart from a slight reduction in the use of yellow. The primary colors remain blue, white, and red. 

Arsenal and cannon 

The nickname Gunners is rooted in Arsenal’s founding history. It was established in 1886 by workers at the Royal Arsenal, which manufactured artillery weapons. It is therefore no surprise that a cannon has featured on the club’s badge in various designs and settings for nearly 140 years. When Arsenal updated its crest in 2002, the club finally moved away from an overly elaborate design, only to go to the opposite extreme – minimalism. The current version is a triangular shield with an east-facing cannon and the word Arsenal. It is divided vertically into light and dark sections, with blue stripes along the edges. The primary colors are red, dark gold, and white. 

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