TACO Bell has become the latest firm accused of planting a hidden meaning in its logo.
The fast-food chain’s bell is highly recognizable and has been used for decades, but online sleuths now claim that not all meets the eye.
2
2
A post re-shared from Reddit highlighted that the yellow part of the bell bears a striking resemblance to a Taco itself.
“I've scoured the internet and somehow no one seems to have noticed before yesterday that the Taco Bell logo is actually a taco bell,” it read.
The discovery sent users into raptures as a debate emerged over whether the company's branding was misleading.
"The part being pointed at is the clapper of the bell, not the bell itself.
"That would be the taco clapper, not the taco bell. Maybe a taco bell clapper. But never a taco bell," one said.
Before another added: "Or, hear me out, it's just a bell. If they wanted to emphasize the taco shape, they could have turned the bell upside down and added a little lettuce around the outside."
Taco Bell have yet to make respond to the claims.
It comes after web sleuths suggested that Wendy's intentionally planted the word "Mom" in the ruffles of the character's neck.
A post on the website StockLogos highlighted the message on the collar, and claimed that the company wanted to associate itself with "Mom's cooking".
However, the fast-food chain debunked the claims saying any supposed subliminal message doesn't exist.
A spokesperson said: “We are aware of this and find it interesting that it appears our Wendy cameo has 'mom' on her ruffled collar. We can assure you it was unintentional.”
It comes after author Eric Schlosser claimed McDonald's golden arches allegedly have a naughty meaning behind them.
Back in the 1960s, when McDonald's was in the middle of rebranding, they hired design consultant and psychologist Louis Cheskin to help them come up with a logo.
Schlosser claimed in Fast Food Nation: The Dark Side of the All-American Meal that Cheskin convinced McDonald's executives that the golden arches - which were actually breasts - would help boost their sales.
He referred to the golden arches as "mother McDonald's breasts".
There is no evidence to support Schlosser’s wild claims.
As an expert in marketing and branding, I can attest to the fact that the interpretation of logos and hidden meanings within them is a common phenomenon. The Taco Bell logo controversy, where online sleuths claim to have discovered a hidden meaning, is an interesting example of how people can perceive symbols differently.
Firstly, the claim suggests that the yellow part of the Taco Bell logo bears a resemblance to a taco itself. This is a classic example of pareidolia, a psychological phenomenon where individuals perceive familiar patterns, such as faces or in this case, a taco, in unrelated or random stimuli. The Reddit post that brought attention to this aspect demonstrates how individuals can interpret symbols in unexpected ways.
The ensuing debate among users about whether the logo is intentionally designed to resemble a taco or if it's just a bell shows the subjective nature of perception. Some argue that the part being pointed at is the clapper of the bell, not the bell itself, while others humorously suggest it could be a "taco clapper." This debate highlights the ambiguity that can exist in visual symbolism and how different individuals may derive varying meanings from the same image.
Moreover, the article references a similar situation with Wendy's logo, where web sleuths claimed the word "Mom" was intentionally planted in the character's neck ruffles. This brings attention to the concept of subliminal messaging in logos, a practice where companies embed subtle messages or symbols to evoke specific emotions or associations. In Wendy's case, the company denied any intentional placement of the word "Mom," emphasizing the subjective nature of interpreting such details.
The mention of Eric Schlosser's claim about McDonald's golden arches adds another layer to the article. Schlosser suggests that the golden arches were intentionally designed as breasts to boost sales. However, it's crucial to note that the article dismisses this claim as lacking evidence. This instance serves as a reminder of the importance of critically evaluating claims related to hidden meanings in logos and branding, as some interpretations may lack credible supporting evidence.
In conclusion, the Taco Bell logo controversy is an intriguing example of how individuals interpret symbols, and it sheds light on the subjective nature of branding perception. As someone with expertise in marketing, I emphasize the importance of considering the intentionality of design choices and being cautious about reading too much into perceived hidden meanings in logos.
