The Wikimedia Logo: A Symbol of Knowledge and Freedom

The Wikimedia logo is a recognizable symbol of the organization and its mission to make the sum of all human knowledge freely available to all. The logo, which has evolved over time, features a globe with a puzzle piece on top, representing the collaborative nature of Wikimedia projects.

History of the Wikimedia Logo

The first Wikimedia logo was created in 2003 by Erik Möller, a German graphic designer. The logo featured a globe with a magnifying glass on top, representing the search and discovery of knowledge.

In 2010, the logo was redesigned by Rob Schapire, a British graphic designer. The new logo retained the globe but replaced the magnifying glass with a puzzle piece, representing the collaborative nature of Wikimedia projects. The logo also included the Wikimedia name in a new font and added a wave to the globe, representing the flow of knowledge.

Meaning of the Wikimedia Logo

The globe in the Wikimedia logo represents the worldwide scope of Wikimedia projects. The puzzle piece represents the collaborative nature of these projects, with each individual piece contributing to the greater whole. The wave on the globe represents the flow of knowledge that is created and shared through Wikimedia projects.

Impact of the Wikimedia Logo

The Wikimedia logo has become a recognizable symbol of the organization and its mission. It is used on all Wikimedia websites, as well as on merchandise and other promotional materials. The logo has also been used by other organizations that share Wikimedia's mission of free and open knowledge.

How the Wikimedia Logo Benefits Wikimedia Projects

The Wikimedia logo has several benefits for Wikimedia projects:

• It creates a recognizable brand identity. The logo helps to identify Wikimedia projects and differentiate them from other websites and organizations.
• It promotes the mission of Wikimedia. The logo communicates Wikimedia's mission of making knowledge freely available to all.
• It inspires collaboration. The logo reminds users that they are part of a global community of editors and contributors who are working together to create and share knowledge.

Call to Action

If you believe in the power of free and open knowledge, you can support Wikimedia projects by:

• Donating to Wikimedia. Your donations help to keep Wikimedia projects free and accessible to all.
• Volunteering your time. You can contribute to Wikimedia projects by writing articles, editing pages, or translating content.
• Using Wikimedia projects. By using Wikimedia projects, you help to spread the knowledge that is created and shared by our community.

Useful Tables

Table 1: Wikimedia Projects by Language

Table 2: Wikimedia Projects by Topic

Table 3: Wikimedia Projects by Usage

How to Use the Wikimedia Logo

The Wikimedia logo is available for use by anyone, for any purpose. However, there are a few guidelines that you should follow when using the logo:

• Use the correct version of the logo. There are several versions of the Wikimedia logo available, so be sure to use the correct version for your intended use.
• Do not alter the logo. The Wikimedia logo is a copyrighted work, and you may not alter it in any way.
• Give attribution to Wikimedia. When you use the Wikimedia logo, you should give attribution to Wikimedia. This can be done by including a link to the Wikimedia website or by using the following text: "Wikimedia logo used under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported license."