Movies - TV
What Star Wars’ Rebel & Empire Symbols Really Mean
By WITNEY SEIBOLD
While details about the Rebels Alliance and the Empire were left vague when "Star Wars" premiered in 1977, both factions had their symbols emblazoned on their uniforms and helmets.
These symbols were created by Oscar-winner John Mollo, the costume designer for "Star Wars." He explained more about the symbols in issue #98 of Star Wars Insider Magazine.
Mollo shared that the Imperial "cog" symbol seen in the movie "was based on a series of sketches working out the possible use of shapes occurring in 18th Century fortification."
He also designed the Rebel symbol, which he said was more of a freehand exercise as "no particular sources" were used. The symbol was eventually called the Alliance Starbird.