YMCA Symbol - The Triangle

The 'Red Triangle', the most popular and universal symbol of the YMCA was invented by Luther Halsey Gulick (1865-1918) in 1891 at Springfield College of Physical Education to provide the rationale and philosophical orientation needed to place physical, education in its proper perspective in the YMCA programmes as a whole, which otherwise had so far emphasized only the spiritual and mental well-being of young people. Gulick believed that the equilateral triangle was an appropriate symbol for portraying the work of the YMCA, because it indicated the threefold nature of man- mind, body and spirit.

In selecting the Triangle, Gullick had thought of an emblem that would "stick right out" and would not be confused with the Red Cross, but at the same time serve as a symbol that would look well on sweaters, letterheads and as a sign on building. Students at Springfield College accepted the Triangle as their official emblem when they first published their school paper in the winter of 1890-91. In March 1891 the trustee of the College officially adopted the Triangle. Gulick made every effort to popularize the symbol and to make it acceptable. He introduced the proposal for the adoption of the inverted Triangle as the YMCA symbol at the National Conventions held in Philadelphia in 1889, and in Kansas in 1891. It was voted down on both occasions. In 1895 at the Springfield convention, the Triangle was atleast approved by 182 voting for and 56 against the proposal authorizing the preparation of the Triangle as YMCA badge.

"The triangle stands, not for body or mind or spirit, but for the man as a whole. It does not aim to express these distinct divisions, but to indicate that the individual, while he may have different aspects, is a unit …… Thus with the individual man, he is not a body and a mind and a spirit, but a wonderful result of their union, something entirely different from any single aspect of himself".

The triangle stands for the symmetrical man, each part developed with reference to the whole, and not merely with reference to itself….