Editing Insignia

One of the universals across all Transformers continuities has been the use of '''insignia''' to differentiate members of respective armies, and sometimes sub-factions within armies or even individuals. This was sometimes used as a tactical advantage when Transformers would temporarily wear the symbol of the opposite faction to fool their opponents.

==Fiction==
===Generation 1===
====Marvel comics continuity====
{{noteukonly}}
When [[Slag (G1)|Slag]] was revived by [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]] after being trapped in a tar pit for four million years, he went into a frenzy and attacked him, until he saw Ratchet's Autobrand and calmed down. {{storylink|Repeat Performance!}}

''[[Ironhide (G1)|Ironhide]] was uncomfortable taking orders from [[Jetfire (G1)|Jetfire]], who was still wearing a Decepticon insignia.'' {{storylink|Dinobot Hunt!}} Jetfire officially became an Autobot after going through the [[Rite of the Autobrand]]. To better disguise themselves on Earth, [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] installed [[shielding circuitry]] into the Autobots which enabled a metal sheet to cover their Autobot symbols in [[alternate mode]]. {{storylink|Rock and Roll-Out!}}

The [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] fooled [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] into thinking they were Autobots by wearing fake Autobot symbols. {{storylink|Gone but Not Forgotten!}} The [[Sports Car Patrol]] tricked Ratchet into thinking they were Autobots by wearing counterfeit Autobot symbols—Decepticon and Autobot symbols on a rotating plate so they could switch back and forth. {{storylink|Back from the Dead}}

Megatron spent some time on [[Cybertron (planet)|Cybertron]]'s [[Dead End (place)|Dead End]] district as an [[Empties|Empty]]. His mind was damaged and he just wandered about the place until the sight of an Autobot wearing an Autobot symbol snapped him out of it. {{storylink|The Resurrection Gambit!}}

===Beast Wars===

[[Rattrap]]'s Maximal insignia once morphed into a Predacon one (and later back again). No other Transformer showed they could do this, and he only used it for a con. {{storylink|Double Jeopardy}}

When the [[Transmuter]] turned [[Rhinox (BW)|Rhinox]] into a Predacon, it automatically changed his insignia as well as giving him a [[redeco]]. {{storylink|Dark Designs (episode)|Dark Designs}} Likewise, [[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] gained Decepticon insignia while he was possessed by [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. 

{{storylink|Possession}}  [[Ravage (G1)|Ravage]] sported both a Decepticon and Predacon insignia while working as a Predacon secret agent. {{storylink|The Agenda (Part 1)}} 

[[Waspinator (BW)|Waspinator]] ''pulled his insignia off'' like it was a sticker when renouncing his Predacon membership. {{storylink|Nemesis Part 1}}

===Unicron Trilogy===
[[Sideways (RID)|Sideways]] could change his insignia from Autobot to Decepticon — an ability he utilised for deceptive purposes. {{storylink|Credulous}} {{storylink|Ship}}

==Generation 1==
===Prehistory===
<gallery>
Image:Ancient Transformer Symbol.png|'''Ancient [[Transformer]]'''<br />''This ancient symbol was discovered by [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]. He claims that although Transformers have been split into two races, they are one species.''  {{storylink|Generation One (Dreamwave comic)|Generation One}}
Image:Ancient Autobot Symbol.png|'''Autobot'''<br />''This symbol appeared on the forehead of [[Ancient Robot]], who spoke to [[Rodimus Prime (G1)|Rodimus Prime]] within the [[Matrix of Leadership|Matrix]].''  {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 4|FFoD}}
Image:Fallen faction symbol.png|'''[[The Fallen]]'''<br />''This symbol was only used on the [[Titanium]] toyline representation of the Fallen. It was not used in [[The War Within]] or any other fiction.''
</gallery>

===Pre-War  {{storylink|Megatron Origin|Megatron Origin}}===
<gallery>
Image:Megatron Origin Symbol.png|'''[[Clench (G2)|Clench]]'''<br />''This symbol was worn by Clench and his team in [[Kaon]]'s [[Gladiatorial combat|illegal pitfights]] prior to the [[Great War (G1)|Great War]]. After [[Megatron (G1)|Megatron]] replaced Clench as team captain he retained the symbol for a time before developing the Decepticon insignia as his team emblem.''
Image:Security_symbol_Megatron_Origin.png|'''Security Services'''<br />''This symbol is used by the Autobot Security Services crew operating under [[Sentinel Prime (G1)|Sentinel Prime]] and was seen on the flags draped over the coffins at the state funeral of operatives [[Fastback]] and [[Bumper (G1)|Bumper]].''
Image:Ratbat symbol Megatron Origins.png|'''[[Senate]]-related symbol'''<br />''This symbol was worn by the crew of Senator [[Decimus]]'s  ship, as well as by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]] during his senatorial days.''
</gallery>
===The War Within===
<gallery>
Image:War Within Autobot Symbol.png|'''Autobot'''<br/>Used in {{storylink|The War Within}} but not {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages|The Dark Ages}}
Image:Decepticon warwithin symbol.png|'''Decepticon'''<br/>Used in {{storylink|The War Within}} but not {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages|The Dark Ages}}
Image:Emirate Xeon symbol.png|'''[[Emirate Xeon]]'''<br />''This symbol appeared on the helmet of the departed politician Emirate Xeon.''{{storylink|The War Within issue 2}}
Image:Ultracon symbol.png|'''[[Ultracon]]'''<br />''Used by [[Ratbat (G1)|Ratbat]]'s group.''{{storylink|War Within: The Age of Wrath|The Age of Wrath}}
</gallery>

===The Great War===
<gallery>
Image:Symbol autobot reg.png|'''[[Autobot]]'''<br />''It seems likely that in the real world, the Autobot symbol was derived from a stylized drawing of [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]]'s toy's head.  In the Marvel Comics continuity, it was known as the "Autobrand" and was seemingly based on the face of the [[Last Autobot]]. In the original animated series, it was a mark of the [[Quintesson]] slave brand.''
Image:Symbol autobot dx edit.jpg|''The Autobot symbol as it appeared on Generation 1 toy packaging.''
Image:Symbol decept reg.jpg|'''[[Decepticon]]'''<br />''It seems likely that in the real world, the Decepticon symbol was derived from a stylized drawing of [[Soundwave (G1)|Soundwave]]'s toy's head. It has no given origin in either comic or cartoon, but in the latter, it presumably has the same origin as the Autobot symbol.''
Image:DConsym.gif|''The Decepticon symbol as it appeared on Generation 1 toy packaging. Note the bevelled detail in the center of the crest at the top - the model sheet of the symbol created for the [[Generation 1 (cartoon)|G1 cartoon]] based on this version misinterpreted it as a third spike, and it appeared in the show rendered in this manner almost universally.''
Image:Shocksymb.jpg|'''[[Cybertron Guard]]'''<br />''This symbol represents the Decepticons under [[Shockwave (G1)|Shockwave]]'s command charged with Cybertron's security. It was [[Retcon|retroactively]] named in 2007 by TakaraTomy's [[World of Transformers]] website, but unnamed in its original context.''<br /> {{storylink|Divide and Conquer|Divide and Conquer}}
Image:Wreckers symbol.png|'''[[Wrecker|Wreckers]]'''<br />''This symbol was used by the Wreckers in the [[3H]] Wreckers/Universe comics, and debuted in 2001. It is uncertain if prior incarnations of the team used this insignia or if it came into use after the signing of the [[Pax Cybertronia]].''  {{storylink|Departure|Departure}}
Image:Rubsign inactive.png|'''[[Rubsign]]'''<br />''Unactivated rubsign.''
</gallery>

===Non-Cybertronian Insignia===
<gallery>
Image:EDC Symbol.png|'''[[Earth Defense Command|EDC]] (cartoon)'''
Image:DW EDC.png|'''[[Earth Defense Command|EDC]] (Dreamwave)'''
Image:Federation of western europe.jpg|'''[[Federation of Western Europe]]'''
Image:Machination logo.png|'''[[Machination]]'''
Image:Quintesson symbol.png|'''[[Quintesson]]'''<br />''This symbol was featured as part of the decal set for the [[e-Hobby]] exclusive [[Overcharge (G1)|Overcharge]] [[Drone|drones]].''
Image:Blendtron red.png|'''[[Herald of Unicron]]''' ''Used in the [[The Ark: A Complete Compendium of Character Designs]] book to denote Unicron
Image:Z Foundation.png|'''[[Z Foundation]]'''
Image:Zarak Consortium Logo.png|'''[[Zarak Consortium]]'''
Image:Robot-Master faction.png|'''[[Donny Finkleberg|Robot-Master]]'''
</gallery>

===Kiss Players===
''These symbols were used by the [[Sparkbot|Sparkbots]] in '''Kiss Play Position'''.''
<gallery>
Image:Sparkbot Angela symbol.gif|'''[[Angela]]'''
Image:Sparkbot Stardust symbol.gif|'''[[Stardust]]'''
Image:Sparkbot Zangetsu symbol.gif|'''[[Zangetsu]]'''
</gallery>
===Brazilian G1===
''These faction symbols were used in the Brazilian [[Estrela]] releases of the [[Micro Change|Microchange]] "Mini Car Robo" subline molds.''
<gallery>
Image:Optimus symbol.png|'''[[Optimus (faction)|Optimus]]'''
Image:Malignus symbol.png|'''[[Malignus]]'''
</gallery>
==G.I. Joe Crossovers==
<gallery>
Image:Cobralogo.gif|'''[[Cobra]]'''
Image:Joelogo.gif|'''[[G.I. Joe (team)|G.I. Joe]]'''
Image:ActionForce_Logo.jpg|'''[[Action Force (team)|Action Force]] (European version of the brand)'''
</gallery>

==Generation 2==
<gallery>
Image:Auto-g2.png|'''Autobot'''<br />''The G2 Autobot symbol seems clearly based on [[Optimus Prime (G1)|Optimus Prime]].  In the Marvel Comics continuity this change may have occurred since the [[Last Autobot]] had come and gone.''
Image:Con-g2.png|'''Decepticon'''<br />''The G2 Decepticon symbol seems to be a stylized, updated G1 Decepticon symbol.  Bludgeon's Decepticons adopted this symbol around 1991, apparently unaware it was also being used by the Cybertronian Empire that they would soon encounter.''
Image:Cybertronian.png|'''[[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian]]'''<br />''This symbol was used by [[Jhiaxus (G2)|Jhiaxus's]] Cybertronian Empire, who considered themselves neither Autobot nor Decepticon.''
Image:Cybertron-federation.png|'''[[Cybertron Alliance]]'''<br />''This was only used in Japanese continuity to bridge [[Return of Convoy (franchise)|Return of Convoy]] and [[Generation 2 (franchise)|Generation 2]].''
</gallery>

==Beast Era==
===Beast Wars===
<gallery>
Image:Maximal symbol.png|'''[[Maximal]]'''
Image:Predacon symbol.png|'''[[Predacon (BW)|Predacon]]'''
Image:Mutants symbol.png|'''[[Mutant (BW)|Mutant]]'''
Image:Maximal Guard Insignia.png|'''Maximal Peacekeeper'''<br />''Worn by knight-like Maximal soldiers/peacekeepers in [[The Ascending|Beast Wars: The Ascending]].''
</gallery>
*'''[[Predacon (G1)]]'''
''These symbols appeared on the walls of a transwarp shunt room used by [[Magmatron]] in IDW's [[The Gathering|Beast Wars: The Gathering]]. Although never explicitly stated, they apparently denote the original Predacon combiner team.''
<gallery>
Image:Razorclaw Symbol.png|'''[[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]]'''
Image:Tantrum Symbol.png|'''[[Tantrum]]'''
Image:Divebomb symbol.png|'''[[Divebomb (G1)|Divebomb]]'''
Image:Headstrong symbol.png|'''[[Headstrong]]'''
Image:Rampage symbol.png|'''[[Rampage (G1)|Rampage]]'''
</gallery>

===Beast Wars II===
<gallery>
Image:Moon symbol clean.png|'''[[Moon (BWII)|Moon]]'''
Image:Space pirate seacon sign.jpg|'''Space Pirate [[Seacon (BWII)|Seacons]]'''
</gallery>
===Beast Wars Neo===
<gallery>
Image:Blendtron red.png|'''[[Blendtron]] / [[Herald of Unicron]]'''
</gallery>
===Beast Machines===
<gallery>
Image:Maximal symbol bm.png|'''Maximal'''
Image:Vehicon symbol.png|'''[[Vehicon (BM)|Vehicon]]'''
Image:Dinobots symbol.png|'''[[Dinobot (BM)|Dinobot]]'''<br />''This insignia replaced the [[Spark crystal|spark crystals]] of the [[Beast Wars Neo (franchise)|Beast Wars Neo]] toys that were introduced to the Beast Machines toyline.''
Image:Timelines Predacon Symbol.png|'''Predacon ([[Timelines (fiction)|Timelines]])'''<br />''Worn by [[Razorclaw (G1)|Razorclaw]] in ''[[Dawn of Future's Past]]''.''
</gallery>

==Car Robots==
<gallery>
Image:Car Robots Destron.png|''Takara used this symbol to represent the Combatron (Decepticon in ''Robots in Disguise'') sub-group in ''Car Robots''—it's an upside-down ''Generation 2'' Autobot symbol, which had been molded into the [[Scourge (RID)|Black Convoy]] toy, a redeco of ''Generation 2'' [[Optimus Prime (G1)/toys|Laser Optimus Prime]]. The Hasbro version removed them and used the traditional Decepticon symbol. Though it can be briefly seen several times in the cartoon, this symbol does not "exist" in the English version.''
</gallery>
==Unicron Trilogy==
===Armada===
<gallery>
Image:Minicon symbol.png|'''[[Mini-Con]]'''<br />''This symbol hints at the origins of the Mini-Cons, in that the "M" is echoed in Unicron's face, with the border representing the planet-eater's orbital ring.''
Image:Unicronsymbol dwmtmte.png|'''[[Unicron]]'''<br />''Used in [[Dreamwave Productions|Dreamwave]]'s [[More Than Meets The Eye (G1)|Armada profile book]] to denote Unicron-allied Transformers.''
</gallery>
===Energon===
<gallery>
Image:Energon symbol.svg|'''Energon'''<br />''Used to denote [[Energon (Energon)|Energon]]. It is a stylized representation of an Autobot [[Energon star]].''
Image:Energon Powerlinx symbol.png|'''[[Powerlinx]] - Black'''<br />''Used by [[Optimus Prime (Armada)|Optimus Prime]] and [[Wing Saber|his]] [[Omega Supreme (Energon)|combiner]] [[Omega Sentinel (Energon)|partners]].''
Image:Energon Powerlinx Gold symbol.png|'''Powerlinx - Gold'''<br />''Worn by Mega-sized Transformers who can combine with fellow Mega- and Deluxe-sized Transformers.''
Image:Energon Powerlinx Silver symbol.png|'''Powerlinx - Silver'''<br />''Worn by Deluxe-sized Transformers who can combine with fellow Deluxe- and Mega-sized Transformers.''
Image:Energon Powerlinx Red symbol.png|'''Powerlinx - Red'''<br />''Worn by Ultra-sized Transformers, who can combine with additional vehicle mode parts to form a "brute mode"''
Image:Energon Powerlinx Blue symbol.png|'''Powerlinx - Blue'''<br />''Used by the [[Air Team]], the [[Construction Team]], and the [[Destruction Team]].''
Image:Team Ironhide symbol.png|'''[[Team Ironhide]]'''<br />''An insignia worn by Ironhide and a group of Omni-Cons under his command in an episode of the [[Energon (cartoon)|Energon cartoon]].''
Image:Unicron energon symbol.png|'''[[Unicron]]'''<br />''Seen in the background of Unicron's transformation sequence in the [[Energon (cartoon)|Energon cartoon]].''
Image:E27 earthfederationlogo.png|'''[[Earth Federation]]'''<br />''The multi-national organisation that governs [[Earth]] during the 2020s.''
</gallery>
===Cybertron===
<gallery>
Image:Cyber Key symbol Earth.png|'''[[Earth]]'''<br />''Seen on [[Cyber Key|Cyber Keys]] that belong to Transformers from Earth.''
Image:Cyber Key symbol Velocitron.png|'''[[Velocitron]]'''<br />''Seen on Cyber Keys that belong to Transformers from the planet Velocitron.''
Image:Cyber Key symbol Jungle Planet.png|'''[[Jungle Planet (Cybertron)|Jungle Planet]]'''<br />''Seen on Cyber Keys that belong to Transformers from the Jungle Planet.''
Image:Cyber Key symbol Gigantion.png|'''[[Gigantion]]'''<br />''Seen on Cyber Keys that belong to Transformers from the planet Gigantion.''
Image:Cyber_Key_Combatron.png|'''[[Combatron (planet)|Combatron]]'''<br />''Seen on Cyber Keys that belong to Transformers from Combatron.''
Image:Cybertron Defence.png|'''[[Cybertron Defense Team]]'''<br />''Used by [[Hot Shot (Armada)|Hot Shot]], [[Red Alert (Armada)|Red Alert]], and [[Scattorshot (Cybertron)|Scattorshot]], after their collective reconstruction.''
</gallery>

==Live-action movie franchise==
===2007 movie===
''For the 2007 movie, the Autobot and Decepticon factions were rendered in steely gray.  Additionally, the Autobot and Decepticons were strongly associated with the colors blue and red, which led to the Autobot symbol appearing in blue in multiple media.  Nonetheless the 'official colors' of said symbols remains red and purple.''
<gallery>
Image:Live action Autobot insignia.png|'''Autobot'''<br />''The biggest change is that the tops of the eye sockets, horizontal in the G1 symbol, tip down towards the middle in the Movie symbol.  There are other minor differences in proportions and angles.''
Image:Live action Decepticon insignia.png|'''Decepticon'''<br />''The G1 symbol has triangular eyes, as opposed to the skinny diamond eyes in the Movie symbol.  Again, there are other minor differences. Perhaps most interesting in this continuity, is that the Decepticon symbol is based upon the face of [[The Fallen]].''
Image:Sector7logo.png|'''[[Sector Seven]]'''<br />''A Secret organization on earth that is trying to save humanity from the Autobots and Decepticons.''
Image:Elitemountaindewrobots.jpg|'''[[Mountain Dew Robot]]'''<br />''An elite group of infiltrators determined to steal the [[AllSpark (Movie)|All Spark]] for their own purposes.''
Image:Stopsector7.gif|'''[[Stop Sector Seven]]'''<br />''Stop Sector Seven is an organization created to stop Sector Seven. It is headed by [[Agent X]].''
Image:Lunchables brigade symbol.png|'''[[Lunchables Brigade]]'''<br />''A [[Human|Terran]] radical group advocating the abolition of routine lunches by means of direct mealtime intervention.''
</gallery>

===Revenge of the Fallen===
<gallery>
Image:NEST insignia.png|'''[[NEST]]'''<BR>''Depicted on vehicles and uniforms of NEST personnel. Variations include a version with Autobot insignia over top.''

Image:NEST Global Alliance.jpg|'''[[NEST]]'''<BR>''Insignia used on Autobot toys from the [[NEST Global Alliance]] refresh subline.''
</gallery>

==[[Transtech]]==
<gallery>
Image:Transtech Autobot symbol.png|'''Autobot'''
Image:Transtech Decepticon symbol.png|'''Decepticon'''
Image:Axion Nexus Security Administration symbol.gif|'''[[Axiom Nexus Security Administration]]'''
</gallery>
==Shattered Glass==
''The alternate reality of the [[Shattered Glass (franchise)|Shattered Glass]] timeline posits an army of evil Cybertronians united under the leering visage of a purple insignia badge... though probably not the one you were expecting.''
<gallery>
Image:Autobot Shattered Glass.png|'''Autobot'''
Image:Autobotsecretpolice.png|'''Autobot [[Secret Police]]'''<br />''Worn by [[Nightbeat (SG)|Nightbeat]] and presumably his subordinates.''
Image:Cust Class Thunderclash Insignia.png|'''Elite Guard'''<br />''Worn by [[Thunderclash (SG)|Thunderclash]] and presumably his subordinates.''
Image:Decepticon Shattered Glass.png|'''Decepticon'''
Image:SG Elite Guard Ancient.png|'''Elite Guard'''<br />''Worn by [[Thunderwing (SG)|Thunderwing]] and presumably all pre-war officers of the Elite Guard.''
</gallery>

==Transformers Animated==
<gallery>
Image:Cyb Elite Guard Badge.png|'''[[Cybertron Elite Guard]]'''<br />''This insignia is used by the elite forces under the command of [[Ultra Magnus (Animated)|Ultra Magnus]].''
Image:Sumdac Systems.PNG|'''[[Sumdac Systems]]'''<br />''The corporate logo of [[Isaac Sumdac]]'s company, as seen in the foyer of [[Sumdac Tower]].''
Image:TFA Autotrooper Badge.png|'''[[Autotrooper]]'''<br />''Worn by the security and peacekeeping forces of Cybertron.''
</gallery>

==Alternity==
<gallery>
Image:Protector Insignia.png|'''[[Protector]]s'''<br />''This insignia was seen worn by the [[synthoid]] [[Elita Seven]], a member of the Protectors. Its basis is [[Hot Rod (G1)|Rodimus Prime]]'s face, in accordance with his stated function as "Protector."''
</gallery>

==Star Wars Crossovers==
<gallery>
Image:Alliance Starbird.svg|'''[[Rebel Alliance]]'''
Image:Republic Emblem.svg|'''[[Galactic Republic]]'''
Image:Imperial_Emblem.svg|'''[[Empire]]'''
Image:Sith Logo.jpg|'''[[Sith]]'''
</gallery>

==Disney Label==
<gallery>
Image:MickeyMouseTransformer.png|'''[[Mickey Mouse]]'''
Image:Donald Disney Label Insignia.png|'''[[Donald Duck]]'''
</gallery>

==Others==
<gallery>
Image:Autotots sigil.png|'''[[Autotot]]'''
Image:Gobots auto symbol.png|'''[[Go-Bots (toyline)|Go-bot]]'''
Image:Playschool Go-Bots G.png|'''[[Go-Bots (toyline)|Go-bot]]'''
</gallery>

==Unused concepts==
<gallery>
Image:Cobra Decepticon symbol.png|'''Cobra/Decepticon'''<br />''Used for promotion of [[G.I. Joe vs. the Transformers|the comic]], not in the actual story.''
</gallery>

==Files==
* [[:Image:Transformers Symbols.ttf| Transformers Insignias True Type Font]]


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[[Category:Transformer culture]]