Prancing Horse Emblem

From a WWI ace's fuselage to the world's most famous automotive badge.

The Prancing Horse, or 'Cavallino Rampante,' is the definitive emblem of Scuderia Ferrari. Its origins trace back to Francesco Baracca, an Italian World War I flying ace who painted a black horse on his aircraft fuselage in 1917. In 1923, following a victory at the Circuto del Savio Grand Prix near Ravenna, Enzo Ferrari was approached by Baracca's mother, Paolina Biancoli, and sister, who suggested he adopt the symbol for good luck. Ferrari accepted this request, integrating the design into his racing team in 1932 and applying it to sports cars starting in 1947.

Quick Facts

Adopted by ferrari: 1932 (by Scuderia Ferrari)

Lore & Background

Francesco Baracca first used the symbol in 1917 when his squadron allowed personal insignia. He claimed the design honored a cavalry regiment he joined in 1692, though he altered the original silver horse to black for better visibility on his plane. While rumors suggest the emblem was red or derived from a Stuttgart kill mark, historical records and the Museo Francesco Baracca confirm it was black during his lifetime. After Baracca died, his family incorporated the horse into their coat of arms. A 1929 pamphlet even depicted it with an upturned tail within a shield, closely resembling Ferrari's future design. Enzo Ferrari adopted the symbol nine years after meeting the family, citing admiration for Baracca and a love for Giovanni Pascoli's poem 'La cavalla storna' as his motivations.

Reader's Guide

The Prancing Horse appears in two primary forms: a shield with the Italian tricolour and 'SF' initials, or a rectangle replacing 'SF' with the word 'Ferrari.' Both versions have been used since 1947 with no major changes. The yellow background represents Modena, Enzo's hometown. Enthusiasts can spot these variations on fenders of road cars or in the global icons like the 65-meter-long logo on Ferrari World Abu Dhabi's roof. Even beyond automotive circles, the symbol inspired Fabio Taglioni at Ducati, who used the Ferrari-redesigned horse until 1961 as a tribute to Baracca following his father's service alongside the ace. The North American Racing Team also adapted the emblem, swapping the tricolour for the American flag.

Did You Know?

Enzo Ferrari directed engraver Eligio Gerosa to avoid curves in the new logo because they reminded him of Bugatti grilles.
The horse in Ferrari's version has an upward-facing tail, which is anatomically incorrect as a real horse cannot raise its tail while on its hind legs.
The world's largest Prancing Horse logo covers 3,000 square meters on the roof of Ferrari World Abu Dhabi.