The Meaning of the Logos of Cuban Cigar Makers
Like royal seals, cigar manufacturers’ logos make it possible to identify them quickly through a visual that instantly catches the eye. Visible on cigar boxes as well as on their bands, they help guarantee authenticity and distinguish them from one another. But what do these logos reveal about their makers, and do they have any special meaning?
Cohiba
The Cohiba logo is certainly one of the best known among cigar lovers. It represents the head of the Taíno tribal chief Hatuey, famous for his role in the uprising against the Conquistadors in the 16th century. He is regarded as the first cacique of the New World to have rebelled against colonialism, and is still celebrated today in Cuba as the first national hero.
The choice of this symbol to represent the Cohiba cigar brand is far from meaningless. Officially launched by Fidel Castro in 1966, it echoes the anti-imperialist struggle led by the Cuban Communist Party since the end of the Revolution in 1959.
Punch
Founded in 1840 by Mr. Stockmann, a German businessman, Punch is one of the oldest cigar brands in the Habanos S.A. catalogue. Originally intended for the British market, its name was inspired by a very well-known satirical character of the time, Mister Punch. It is this same Mister Punch who appears at the center of the brand’s original logo. He is also surrounded by four icons representing the stages of cigar production, from the arrival of the tobacco leaves at the factory to the boxing of the cigars.
Romeo Y Julieta
The logo of the Romeo Y Julieta cigar brand depicts the famous balcony scene from Shakespeare’s tragedy of the lovers from Verona. The choice of this logo, like the brand name itself, was inspired by the favorite novel of the employees at the factory on San Rafael Street in Havana. From the end of the 19th century onward, the practice of reading developed in cigar factories with the aim of educating and entertaining the torcedores. When the factory was acquired, Inocencio Álvarez Rodríguez and José Manin decided to pay tribute to their employees by adopting the title of their favorite novel.
Por Larrañaga
The logo of Por Larrañaga depicts the Greek goddess Cybele, accompanied by her two lions, Atalanta and Hippomenes. In Greek mythology, Cybele is the mother of the gods and embodies the vegetative and wild power of nature. She is therefore considered one of the goddesses of fertility. The five children shown in the iconography represent the five continents. You can also see the 20 gold medals earned by the manufacturer at international fairs and exhibitions.
The reasons that led Ignacio Larrañaga to choose this logo are unknown. However, one can imagine that it is a tribute to nature, without which no cigar could ever come into being. Originally from Spain, Ignacio Larrañaga may also have been inspired by the Fountain of Cybele, which stands proudly in Plaza de Cibeles in the heart of Madrid.
Montecristo
Just like the Romeo Y Julieta brand, the Montecristo brand takes its name from the favorite novel of the torcedors at the Menendez factory. Here, it is the famous Count of Monte-Cristo by Alexandre Dumas. Its logo is therefore naturally inspired by this work. It depicts six rapiers, which were the swords used in duels at the beginning of the 19th century, as well as a fleur-de-lis, a symbol of royalty, which represents the Count of Montecristo.
La Gloria Cubana
The logo of the cigar brand La Gloria Cubana is a blend of Greco-Roman symbolism and imagery borrowed from indigenous culture. It depicts the Roman goddess of peace, surrounded by an Indian holding tobacco leaves and a child holding Hermes' caduceus as well as a pickaxe. The iconography also shows a gold shield engraved with the portrait of Hermes, messenger of the gods. At the bottom of the image, one can see the 6 gold medals received by the manufacturer at international exhibitions.
Like the brand name, this logo aims to glorify Cuba. It pays tribute to the beauty of the island as well as to the craftsmanship and determination of its people.
Bolivar
The logo of the Bolivar cigar manufacturer pays tribute to General Simón Bolívar (1783-1830). Nicknamed El Libertador, this politician and military leader played a decisive role in the independence of several Latin American countries, such as Venezuela, Bolivia, and Peru. A figure of the anti-colonial struggle in South America, he is now considered a central figure in world history.
El Rey del Mundo
The El Rey del Mundo logo depicts a native man seated on a golden throne, drawn by five animals: a horse, an elephant, a camel, a mule, and a ram. Depending on the interpretation, these animals may represent the five continents or, more simply, the animals most dependable to humankind. The man also holds a spear in his right hand and a cigar in his left. A ribbon flutters from the tip of the spear, bearing the inscription “marca independiente”. At the center of the iconography, the emblem of the Spanish royal house can be seen, surrounded by everyday objects from cigar factories. The six gold medals won by the manufacturer are also visible on either side of the iconography.
Just like the name “El Rey del Mundo,” which means “The King of the World,” the brand’s logo reflects Antonio Allones’s ambition to make his company one of the foremost representatives of Cuban craftsmanship. The native figure thus embodies the grandeur of Cuba, and his throne illustrates the island’s independence from the Spanish crown.
Sancho Panza
Like Romeo Y Julieta and Montecristo, the Sancho Panza cigar brand takes its name from a masterpiece of literature. In this particular case, it is not the title of the work but the name of one of its characters. Sancho Panza is indeed Don Quixote’s loyal squire and companion in adventure in Miguel de Cervantes’s satirical novel The Ingenious Hidalgo Don Quixote of La Mancha. It is unclear, however, whether this character was chosen to embody the Cuban brand as a tribute to the novel favored by the cigar rollers at the factory on Angeles Street in Havana, or whether he was a character especially admired by Don Emilio Ohmstedt, the brand’s founder.