Hidden Meanings of the Romulan Logo

The Romulan Flag has a lot more going on with its logo and symbolism than you might first think. There is a lot of lore behind the iconic Raptor of the Star Empire originating with a bird of Vulcan and all sorts of hidden meanings in the design. Let's take a look at the lore and analyse it.

Star Trek Online developed by Cryptic Studios and Perfect World.
Star Trek Picard/Strange New Worlds/Lower Decks/Enterprise/Voyager/Deep Space Nine/Discovery and The Next Generation are all owned by Paramount Pictures/CBS and distributed by CBS.
This Video is for critical purposes with commentary.

[luiszuniga]

"Consider it. The great symbol of the Empire... But the bird-of-prey holds planets. Romulus, Remus. Their destinies conjoined..." -Shinzon

[LordHayden]

I've seen theories saying that the Original Series symbol was meant to show the cooperation between the Klingons and Romulans when they were trading technology. That symbol was later dropped when the two stopped working together

[aqdrobert]

Sela: When we explore strange new worlds, and seek out new life and civilizations, we give them the bird.

[kimarous]

The commentary about raptors reminds me of something from a field trip as a kid to a more rural area. The main guide asks we kids what we thought "raptor" meant. Me, big into dinosaurs at the time, raised my hand and said "Terrible Claw?" Excited, the seated man leaps to his feet: "OOH! OOH! Ah, sorry. Actually, it means 'to grasp'." I was simultaneously startled by his initial reaction and felt like a smartypants.

[d.b.]

Monte Thrasher, designer of the Romulan emblem: "See, it looks like it's striking from the shadows if you put it on a black background."
Paramount: "Cool. We will now proceed to never use the emblem on a black background unless we outline it in white."
Thrasher: "No, wait, I didn't draw the scapular feathers!--ah, biscuits. Now everyone's gonna think it's a f___ed-up bat thing."

[djfmitv]

Keep going with stuff like this - there's always things to talk about in ST lore

[Nom_AnorVSJedi]

The emblem of the Obsidian Order is pretty cool, asymmetrical and sinister.

[devinsweeting]

I'm surprised you didn't touch on the Romulan Republic Logo. How it evolved from the old one. Symbolizing the memory of the past, but still looking towards the future.

[poolhall]

I've been a Star Trek fan, my entire life, 40 years now.
I never realized that the *bird of prey* ship looks like a striking raptor. Amazing.
🤯

[oshinko]

The Romulans are my fave. They just need a Garak-level character

[daveh]

I'm interested in heraldry, so this video is a welcome addition. (But then so are most of your videos.)

I confess I got a chuckle out of Star Trek Online's variation on the raptor symbolism of the Romulan Republic as they began to build out New Romulus. There are figurines everywhere depicting a much simplified bird, with wings raised but no worlds in its talons. Also, the head is raised up and the beak looks wider than that of a raptor.

I think it looks like a duck landing on a pond, which prompted me to think of the peaceful Romulan Republic as "those who march beneath the mallard's wings."

[LARGO]

In my mind, this was always a missed scene opportunity in DS9. The Romulan entry to the Dominion war should've had a scene where a Dominion fleet was massacring a SF/KDF fleet, only to have about 30 D'Deridex and Valdore class warbirds decloak directly behind the Dominion lines, and strafe through them at top speed, absolutly wrecking the Dominion lines with disruptors and heavy plasma torpedoes.

[rickyevans]

Romulans are my second favorite Star Trek race, right after the Ferengi! Love this video!!!

[HilarityBribo]

I always assumed it was because of the roman eagle.
Pretty sure Romulus was based off a Rome.

[uss_]

Always wondered about the Romulan symbology and bird motif

[davecortie]

I enjoy hearing you talk about the Romulan. Their lore feels like it's so spread out and they are so obfuscated, that it is difficult to grasp it all.
Sure, I could read the Memory Alpha/Beta content myself, but I enjoy hearing a story.

[amazedsatsuma]

9:43 I think the 2 orbs the 32nd symbol talons are holding represent Romulans and Vulcans finally being reunited as the people of Ni'var...afterall the symbol is now part of Vulcan identity too and they have no attachment to Romulus and Remus.

[ArtistryBranson]

Ric, personally, just about any Trek topic you have considered covering, I'd like to hear what you have to say on said topic. Yeah, I know, I sound like a fan boy. Truth is, I enjoy your take, your delivery and writing style. And more info on Trek is always an enjoyable time for me. Take your top 10 ideas and run with em. We'll thank you for it.

[VexTibbetts]

On a technical heraldic note, in real world heraldry the 'blade-like' version of the emblem would only be seen as a different realisation of the same design as the blazon would not be different. The changing aesthetic but same underlying design is informative as stated.

Loved the video. Would certainly be happy to see more Trek Heraldry (though appreciate it's something of a personal passion!)

[EthanKristopherHartley]

Really interesting take Rick, thank you!

(I always assumed that it was because their ships were called birds of prey and the choice of the face-on look was because it mirrors their forehead ridges - the most noticeable differentiator between the Romulans and Vulcans. But your explanation makes more sense. 😁)