Three Diamonds: The Story and Meaning Behind the Mitsubishi Logo

Every time you see a Mitsubishi vehicle on the road, you're witnessing more than just automotive design—you're looking at a symbol that tells a story spanning over 150 years. The iconic three-diamond logo adorning the front grille of every Outlander, Eclipse Cross, and RVR carries with it the legacy of family honour, business ambition, and the merger of two ancient Japanese crests.

This emblem didn't emerge from a modern design studio or marketing campaign. Instead, it was born from the personal history of one man's remarkable journey from provincial farmer's son to industrial pioneer, and his decision to honour both his family heritage and the clan that gave him his start. The story behind those three red diamonds reveals how traditional Japanese values shaped one of the world's most recognizable automotive brands.

The Ambitious Son of a Farmer

The Mitsubishi story begins not with corporate boardrooms, but with Yataro Iwasaki, born in 1835 to a provincial farming family in Japan. What makes Yataro's story particularly compelling is how he overcame the limitations of his birth to create an industrial empire. His great-grandfather had been forced to sell the family's samurai status to cover debts, leaving young Yataro with ambition but without the social standing that typically opened doors in 19th-century Japan.

Recognizing that education was his path to advancement, Yataro left home at 19 to study in Edo (modern-day Tokyo), working for the Tosa clan. This connection would prove crucial not only to his business success but also to the visual identity he would later create for his company. However, his journey wasn't without setbacks—when his father was seriously injured in a dispute with a village headman, Yataro returned home to seek justice. His accusation of corruption against the local magistrate landed him in prison for seven months.

This experience with injustice and his determination to fight it would later influence Yataro's business philosophy and the values he wanted his company to embody. The three diamonds that would become the Mitsubishi logo weren't just decorative—they were meant to represent principles worth standing up for.

From Trading Company to Three Diamonds

After his release from prison, Yataro's fortunes changed when he began studying under the reformist Toyo Yoshida, who introduced him to progressive ideas about opening Japan to international trade and industrial development. Through this connection, Yataro secured a position as a clerk for the Tosa government and worked diligently to buy back his family's samurai status.

When political changes led to Yoshida's assassination in 1862, Yataro temporarily lost his connections. However, when Yoshida's nephew gained influence, Yataro was appointed to the clan's trading office in Nagasaki. His rise was meteoric—within just three months, he had worked his way to the top position in the office.

The Meiji Restoration of 1868 brought massive changes to Japan, ending 300 years of Shogunate rule and forbidding clans from running businesses. This political upheaval created Yataro's opportunity. When the Tosa clan was forced to disband its business operations, Yataro took over the privatized trading office, accepting part of the clan's debt in exchange for ships and trading rights.

The Birth of the Three-Diamond Symbol

On March 1873, Yataro officially became president of his company and made a decision that would create one of the world's most enduring corporate symbols. He changed the company name from Tsukumo Trading Company to "Mitsubishi"—a name that literally means "three diamonds."

This wasn't a random choice or abstract design concept. The name and logo were deeply personal, representing the merger of two family crests that had shaped Yataro's life. The Iwasaki family crest featured three rhombuses (diamond shapes), while the Tosa clan—the organization that had given Yataro his start in business—used three oak leaves in their crest.

By combining these two symbols into the three-diamond Mitsubishi logo, Yataro was making a statement about gratitude, heritage, and the unity between traditional Japanese values and modern business practices. The logo wasn't just identifying his company; it was telling the story of how he had arrived at this moment of success.

Logo Evolution Through the Decades

The Mitsubishi emblem has evolved while maintaining its core identity:

• 1870: Initial use of the combined Tosa and Iwasaki crests without a wordmark
• 1873: Introduction of red colour palette, three thin rhomboids connected by a small circle
• 1914: Logo refinement with solid centre point and addition of Japanese wordmark
• 1964: Development of the modern three-diamond shape on white background
• 1985: Current version introduced with bold red rhomboids separated by white triangles

Each evolution reflected the company's growth while preserving the fundamental meaning behind Yataro's original vision.

The Deeper Meaning Behind the Design

According to Mitsubishi, each diamond in the logo embodies one of the company's core values: integrity, success, and reliability. This connection between visual symbol and corporate principles reflects Yataro's original intention to create more than just a trading company—he wanted to build an organization that would honour the values of both his family and the Tosa clan.

The colour choices also carry significance. The vibrant red associated with the diamonds connects to traditional Japanese concepts of vitality, passion, and good fortune. The black wordmark conveys strength and professionalism, qualities that Yataro believed were essential for competing in the changing business landscape of Meiji-era Japan.

Modern Legacy: From Ancient Crests to Contemporary Vehicles

Today, when you see the three-diamond emblem on a Mitsubishi vehicle in Quebec, you're witnessing how traditional Japanese symbolism translates into modern automotive excellence. The same values that Yataro Iwasaki built into his logo—integrity, success, and reliability—continue to guide Mitsubishi's approach to vehicle manufacturing.

This heritage is evident in features like the Super All-Wheel Control system found across the Mitsubishi lineup, which reflects the company's commitment to reliability and performance. The comprehensive warranty coverage that Mitsubishi offers Canadian buyers—including the industry-leading 10-year powertrain warranty—demonstrates the integrity that the three diamonds were meant to symbolize.

Key Milestones in Logo History

Experience the Legacy at Action Mitsubishi

The story of the three diamonds shows how personal values and family heritage can shape global success. From Yataro Iwasaki's determination to honour both his family crest and the Tosa clan that supported him, to today's vehicles that carry those same principles of integrity and reliability, the Mitsubishi logo connects past and present.

Visit Action Mitsubishi in St-Hubert to see how this rich heritage translates into modern vehicles designed for Quebec families. Each model in our showroom—from the versatile RVR to the advanced Outlander PHEV—carries forward the values that Yataro Iwasaki embedded in those three diamonds more than 150 years ago.