Bohemian Rhapsody: Queen crest HIDDEN meaning explained – Guess WHO designed it?

They may have seen a little silhouette of a man, but the band also created one of the most iconic logos in popular entertainment. Typically overstated and bombastic, the logo clearly parallels the crest of our own royal family. As with all crests, every part of the image is loaded with significance. It should be no surprise to discover which creative and colourful band member came up with the design.

Yes, the crest is the work of Freddie Mercury.

Before he was a baggage handler at Heathrow (as shown in Bohemian Rhapsody) the budding star went to two art colleges. Freddie studied art at Isleworth Polytechnic in West London and then graphic art and design at Ealing Art College, graduating with a diploma in 1969. 

The crest represents all the members of the band with one extra addition which makes it even more beautiful – and deeply moving considering all that was to happen later.

Freddie also playfully made some cheeky changes to his own personal part of the crest.

The Queen crest uses the zodiac signs of the four members.

The two lions are for the Leo John Deacon and Roger Taylor, with a crab for Cancerian Brian May and two fairies for Virgo Freddie Mercury. It’s not clear why he gave himself two figures, possibly for symmetry

Interestingly, Virgo is the only zodiac sign represented by a human female. The representative image is often portrayed as a potentially creative girl, delicately lovely; sometimes as a somewhat older woman, intelligent but rather spinsterish. Virgos are attributed notable charm and dignity, which some zodiac descriptions say can make some male Virgos appear effeminate when they are not.

What is fascinating is the huge phoenix which dominated the image. Larger than any of the zodiac signs it is the focal point of the crest.

This is particularly moving since the mythical bird is often used to represent rebirth and immortality.

Freddie designed the logo for use on the band’s first album in 1973, with a simple ink sketch which was made much more elaborate for future uses.

18 years later, Freddie would die in 1991, robbing the world of one of its most unique stars. But the message in that logo he created remains very clear.

Bohemian Rhapsody’s staggering box office and awards season success may have given the band and its music a new lease of life, but Queen has constantly been revived as new generations are brought to the music by cultural moments like Wayne’s World or, as shown in the movie, Live Aid.

Freddie may be represented by the two fairies, but his life, work and incredible impact are destined to keep rising from the ashes.

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY IS OUT NOW ON DIGITAL AND DOWNLOAD, DVD AND BLU-RAY