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 cartoon continuity
Skyfire switched sides, tearing the Decepticon insignia off of his chest and installing an Autobot insignia. Fire in the Sky
Wheeljack reawakened the Dinobots and told them to go help their friends. They reluctantly agreed and flew off after them. When they arrived, they initially could not distinguish friend from foe, until Sludge suggested that their friends might be the ones with the same robotic face on them as they had. S.O.S. Dinobots
Mirage once stole Skywarp's insignia as part of a successful plan to turn the Insecticons against the other Decepticons. Traitor
Marvel Comics continuity
Marvel The Transformers comics
When Slag was revived by 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. Repeat Performance!
Ironhide was uncomfortable taking orders from Jetfire, who was still wearing a Decepticon insignia. Dinobot Hunt! Jetfire officially became an Autobot after going through the Rite of the Autobrand. To better disguise themselves on Earth, Wheeljack installed shielding circuitry into the Autobots which enabled a metal sheet to cover their Autobot symbols in alternate mode. Rock and Roll-Out!
The Predacons fooled Megatron into thinking they were Autobots by wearing fake Autobot symbols. 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. Back from the Dead
Megatron spent some time on Cybertron's Dead End district as an 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. The Resurrection Gambit!
United into a single team following the events of the Time Wars and by battling the nightmare creatures generated by Skids's time in Limbo, Springer offered to make Carnivac and Catilla Honorary Autobots, passing them a pair of Autobot badges as he did so. Survivors!
When Optimus Prime surrendered to the Decepticons, he laid an Autobot insignia at Scorponok's feet. Scorponok promptly crushed it. Surrender! After the Autobots and Decepticons came together to fight Unicron, they continued their uneasy alliance and adorned their headquarters with an insignia that included a slightly modified Decepticon sign atop a slightly modified Autobot sign. Still Life! Dreadwind and Darkwing were outside in Cybertron's increasingly bad weather discussing the planet's upcoming self-destruction when the wind blew the gigantic Autobot insignia off the wall and onto Dreadwind's head. Exodus!
Marvel Generation 2 comics
The Autobots had at some point begun using a new insignia that resembled Optimus Prime rather than the Last Autobot. Bludgeon's Decepticons were also using a new symbol, similar to their old one, that coincidentally resembled the Cybertronian Empire insignia closely.
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. Double Jeopardy
When the Transmuter turned Rhinox into a Predacon, it automatically changed his insignia as well as giving him a redeco. Dark Designs Likewise, Waspinator gained Decepticon insignia while he was possessed by Starscream. Possession Ravage sported both a Decepticon and Predacon insignia while working as a Predacon secret agent. The Agenda (Part 1)
Waspinator pulled his insignia off like it was a fabric patch when renouncing his Predacon membership. Nemesis Part 1
Tarantulas has such an ego, he created his own special insignia for his Arachnoids.
Unicron Trilogy
Sideways could change his insignia from Autobot to Decepticon—an ability he utilised for deceptive purposes. Credulous Ship
Using the power of Unicron, Megatron had the ability to brainwash Transformers to the Decepticon cause. In Inferno's case, it changed his insignia from Autobot to Decepticon. Imprisoned Inferno When Inferno fought against Megatron's influence through his willpower, his insignia would toggle back and forth until he succeeded in purging the Decepticon in him. His Autobot insignia looked brand new after that. Jungle Planet
Wings Universe
After defeating Clench's Decepticons at the Large Hadron Collider in Switzerland, Streetwise decided that he would have the rest of the Protectobots transferred to serve on Earth. To make it official, Pyro handed him a set of Generation 2 Autobot badges. Generation 2: Redux
IDW Generation 1 continuity
The first five Transformers, the Guiding Hand, each had their own personal insignia. The Return of the King When the Knights of Cybertron left the planet, they marched beneath the banner of Adaptus. As a result of the information creep unleashed following the God War, the symbols of the other four members would later be conflated as having belonged to other clans of the Knights. An Axe to Break the Ice The Ties That Bind The Return of the King
In the primitive age that followed the departure of Knights, the Thirteen came to power. One of their number, the bestial Onyx Prime marked the occasion by commissioning, the "First Face", supposedly based of Metrotitan's description of Primus's likeness, but in reality, one of the many ontological paradoxes he had dedicated himself to invoking. Origin Myths The First Who Was Named
The First Face was, up until the outbreak of the war, considered the closest thing Cybertron had to a universal symbol, held in high regard by the High Priests of K'th Kinsere, the Ignition Cults and the Circuit Sects. Whenever the Cybertronian race was moved by significant unrest, the face would appear, often designed in subtle ways that historians would use to mark the transition from one epoch to the next. During Zeta Prime's rule as Prime, the symbol was co-opted for the nascent Autobot faction. Omega's Conundrum
The Decepticon insignia came about after Megatron hurled his datapad at a random screen and decided he liked the shatter pattern. Chaos Theory Part 1
Other insignia were recognized by Cybertronian society, such as the distinctive facial insignia worn by members of the House of Ambus. House of Ambus
Even as he took on the moniker of the "Grand Architect", Adaptus continued to utilize his insignia, having his troops branded with it. Animals The Return of the King In their quest for the Knights of Cybertron, the Lost Light crew repeatedly encountered the emblem but failed to connect it to Adaptus until they confronted him whereupon he claimed ownership of it. This Calamitous Life The Sensuous Frame The Not Knowing How Bright Their Frail Deeds An Axe to Break the Ice The Return of the King
Beast Wars: Uprising
In the aftermath of Maxima's death, numerous proto-formers began using a stylized image of her Luponoid steed as the insignia of the burgeoning Maximal faction. The Predacon Manifesto
When Galva Convoy made it clear he was no longer obeying the Builder Assembly, Knock Out noted he bored a different insignia from the Maximal one he'd had previously, one representing the Vehicons. Derailment
Major cross-franchise insignia
 Autobot |
It seems likely that in the real world, the Autobot symbol was derived from a stylized drawing of Prowl's toy's head. In the Marvel Comics continuity, it was known as the "Autobrand" (a name that carries over into the IDW continuity) 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. |
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 Decepticon |
It seems likely that in the real world, the Decepticon symbol was derived from a stylized drawing of Soundwave's toy's head. It has no given origin in the G1 cartoon, but it presumably has similar roots to the Autobot symbol. In the IDW continuity, the symbol was inspired by a pattern left in a pane of glass which Megatron smashed with a datapad in a fit of frustration, while in the process of starting the Decepticon movement. Chaos Theory #1
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Generation 1
Prehistory
Guiding Hand
Other
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Ancient Transformer
This ancient symbol was discovered by Shockwave. He claims that although Transformers have been split into two races, they are one species. Generation One -
Prime
This symbol appeared on the forehead of an Ancient Robot, who spoke to Rodimus Prime within the Matrix, FFoD and was the symbol denoting a Prime. Informed -
The Fallen
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.
Pre-War Megatron Origin
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Clench
This symbol was worn by Clench and his team in Kaon's illegal pitfights prior to the Great War. After Megatron replaced Clench as team captain he retained the symbol for a time before developing the Decepticon insignia as his team emblem. -
Security Services
This symbol is used by the Autobot Security Services crew operating under Sentinel Prime and was seen on the flags draped over the coffins at the state funeral of operatives Fastback and Bumper. -
The War Within
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Emirate Xeon
This symbol appeared on the helmet of the departed politician Emirate Xeon. The War Within #2 -
The Great War
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The Autobot symbol as it appeared on Generation 1 toy packaging. -
The model sheet of the Autobot symbol created for the G1 cartoon -
The Decepticon symbol as it appeared on Generation 1 toy packaging. -
The model sheet of the Decepticon symbol created for the G1 cartoon interpreted the bevelled detail in the center of the crest at the top as a third spike, and it appeared in the show rendered in this manner almost universally. -
The Decepticon sigil as it appeared in The Transformers Universe profiles -
Cybertron Guard
This symbol represents the Decepticons under Shockwave's command charged with Cybertron's security. It was retroactively named in 2007 by TakaraTomy's World of the Transformers website, but unnamed in its original context.
Divide and Conquer -
Autobot/Decepticon Alliance Exodus! -
Wreckers
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. Departure
Post-War
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Cybertronian Security Force
Insignia used by the CSF under the administration of Ironhide, after whom it was designed. The Line Between Us
Rubsigns
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Rubsign
Unactivated rubsign. -
Fastlane
Rubsign used on Autobot Clone Fastlane. -
Cloudraker
Rubsign used on Autobot Clone Cloudraker. -
Pounce
Rubsign used on Decepticon Clone Pounce. -
Wingspan
Rubsign used on Decepticon Clone Wingspan.
Wings Universe
Of Masters and Mayhem
Non-Cybertronian Insignia
- Race symbols
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Quintesson/Terrorbot
This symbol was featured as part of the decal set for the e-HOBBY exclusive Overcharge drones. -
Herald of Unicron Introduced as the Blentron's insignia (see below), it was later used in the Transformers: The Ark book to denote Unicron -
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Kiss Players
These symbols were used by the Sparkbots in Kiss Play Position.
Brazilian G1
These faction symbols were used in the Brazilian Estrela releases of the Microchange "Mini Car Robo" subline molds.
The Functionist Universe
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Functionist Council
They're big on cogs. -
Functionist Council
A variant worn by Functionary enforcers.
G.I. Joe Crossovers
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Action Force (European version of the brand) -
Generation 2
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Autobot
The G2 Autobot symbol seems clearly based on Optimus Prime. In the Marvel Comics continuity this change may have occurred since the Last Autobot had come and gone. -
Decepticon
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. -
Cybertronian
This symbol was used by Jhiaxus's Cybertronian Empire, who considered themselves neither Autobot nor Decepticon. -
Cybertron Alliance
This was only used in Japanese continuity to bridge Return of Convoy and Generation 2.
Beast Era
Beast Wars
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Maximal Peacekeeper
Worn by knight-like Maximal soldiers/peacekeepers in Beast Wars: The Ascending. -
These symbols appeared on the walls of a transwarp shunt room used by Magmatron in IDW's Beast Wars: The Gathering. Although never explicitly stated, they apparently denote the original Predacon combiner team.
Beast Wars II
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Space Pirate Seacons
Beast Wars Neo
Beast Machines
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Maximal -
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Dinobot
This insignia replaced the spark crystals of the Beast Wars Neo toys that were introduced to the Beast Machines toyline. -
Car Robots
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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 Black Convoy toy, a redeco of Generation 2 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.
Unicron Trilogy
Armada
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Mini-Con
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. -
Unicron
Used on the Japanese packaging of Armada's Unicron toy, and was on Takara's website for the Armada toyline. Also seen in the background of Unicron's transformation sequence in the Energon cartoon. -
Energon
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Powerlinx - Gold
Worn by Mega-sized Transformers who can combine with fellow Mega- and Deluxe-sized Transformers. -
Powerlinx - Silver
Worn by Deluxe-sized Transformers who can combine with fellow Deluxe- and Mega-sized Transformers. -
Powerlinx - Red
Worn by Ultra-sized Transformers, who can combine with additional vehicle mode parts to form a "brute mode" -
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Team Ironhide
An insignia worn by Ironhide and a group of Omnicons under his command in an episode of the Energon cartoon. -
Cybertron
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Velocitron
Seen on Cyber Keys that belong to Transformers from the planet Velocitron. -
Jungle Planet
Seen on Cyber Keys that belong to Transformers from the Jungle Planet. -
Gigantion
Seen on Cyber Keys that belong to Transformers from the planet Gigantion. -
Combatron
Seen on Cyber Keys that belong to Transformers from Combatron. -
Cybertron Defense Team
Used by Hot Shot, Red Alert, and Scattorshot, after their collective reconstruction.
Live-action film franchise
2007 Transformers film
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.
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Autobot
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. -
The movie Autobot symbol as it appeared in various promotional material. The beveled edges and metal appearance as opposed to the normal stencil-like insignia is reminiscent of the original insignias as they appeared on the G1 toy packaging. -
Decepticon
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. -
The movie Decepticon insignia as it appeared in various promotional material, similarly stylized like the Autobot insignia. -
Sector Seven
A secret organization on earth that is trying to save humanity from the Autobots and Decepticons. -
Mountain Dew Robot
An elite group of infiltrators determined to steal the AllSpark for their own purposes. -
Stop Sector Seven
Stop Sector Seven is an organization created to stop Sector Seven. It is headed by Agent X. -
Lunchables Brigade
A Terran radical group advocating the abolition of routine lunches by means of direct mealtime intervention.
Revenge of the Fallen
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NEST
Depicted on vehicles and uniforms of NEST personnel. Variations include a version with Autobot insignia over top. -
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Seeker/Decepticon "Air Force"
Appears on various Movie, Revenge of the Fallen, Hunt for the Decepticons, Dark of the Moon and Studio Series toys, as well as on some Prime toys (including all toys of Dreadwing, as well as his cartoon CG model).
Age of Extinction
The Last Knight
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Decepticon "Knights" symbol seen on the Decepticon Flag in promotional material.
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Autobot -
Decepticon -
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Offworlder Zone Security Administration
Shattered Glass
The alternate reality of the 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.
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Evil Autobot -
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Evil Elite Guard
Worn by Thunderclash and presumably his subordinates. -
Heroic Decepticon -
Heroic Elite Guard
Worn by Thunderwing and presumably all pre-war officers of the Elite Guard.
Animated
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Autotrooper
Worn by the security and peacekeeping forces of Cybertron. -
Stunticon
Worn by Team Stunticon. -
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Otoboto family
Symbol for Animated's live-action shell-sequence in Japan.
Alternity
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Protectors
This insignia was seen worn by the synthoid Elita Seven, a member of the Protectors. Its basis is Rodimus Prime's face, in accordance with his stated function as "Protector."
Star Wars Crossovers
Disney Label
Aligned
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Simplified Rescue Bots insignia -
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Predacon (final) -
Predacon (prototype) -
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