Native American Motifs

Chicago Blackhawks

image from: http://wordsoftheweb.com/2009/10/incredible-pro-sports-logo-concepts/

The Chicago Blackhawks joined the NHL in 1926 as part of the league's first wave of expansion from Canada into the United States. They were one of three American teams added that year, another two are the New York Rangers and the Detroit Cougars (now the Detroit Red Wings).

image below is Chicago Blackhawks primary logo in use from 1927-1935 /

image from: http://www.sportslogos.net/team.php?id=7

The Blackhawks' first owner was coffee tycoon Frederic McLaughlin. He had been a commander with the 333rd Machine Gun Battalion of the86th Infantry Division during the first World War. This Division was nicknamed the "Blackhawk Division", after a Native American of the Sauk nation, Chief Black Hawk, who was a prominent figure in the history of Illinois.

The original logo version was designed by McLaughlins wife, Irene Castle. A rough drawn black and white image of a Native American head in a circle. The logo has undergone several distinct changes since its creation.

image below is a Chicago Blackhawks primary logo in use since 1965 until now/ image from: http://www.sportslogos.net/logo.php?id=56

The Blackhawks currently logo features the head of a Native American man wearing a stylised version of traditional feather headdresses and Native American face paint.

Elements of this logo Design used Line, colour, texture, shape and form.

The lines drew the shape and form of Native American face and the details of feather headdresses and face paint. The main colours used Analogous colour scheme green, yellow and orange which are good combination and create serene and comfortable designs. On the other hand, red, black and white colours make this logo more contrast and stronger. The face is smiling and the eyes look straight that make this logo look friendly, happy and achieve the goal.

The logo has been changed slightly throughout the years to become more culturally appropriate. We can see from the original black and white logo in 1926–1935 to the second logo in 1936–1937. It has been changed by fill black, light brown and red colours and make some thinner line. And on the face a bit more happier that make the logo more stand out. And then the logo changed colours and lines again in 1937–1955. It's nothing much to changed but I prefer the one before. Until 1956 the logo changed again. During this year the logo was develop a lot such as the colours and the shape of the Native American more happier and had painted face which is has meaning in the Native American culture. Face Painting has also been used for many other reasons such as for hunting, religious reasons, and military reasons. For the colours are along with the ideal face painting designs do create a desired effect.

Colors in Native American culture have special significance. Red is a violent color; it is the color of war. Strangely enough black, which is considered to be an inauspicious colors in most cultures, is the color of ‘living’, worn on the face during war preparations. White predictably is the color of peace. The color green when worn under the eyes is believed to empower the wearer with a night vision. Yellow is the most inauspicious color, it is the color of death, and is worn only when a person is in mourning.

Finally, In my opinion The Blackhawks have one of the most classic looks in the Hockey league. The Chicago Blackhawks logo is relatively harmful and it can represent the Native American Motifs very well.

Bibliography

http://www.native-languages.org/headdresses.htm

http://www.sportslogos.net/team.php?id=7

http://bmac25blog.blogspot.com/2009/12/chicago-blackhawks-concept.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_American_mascot_controversy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Blackhawks