Proposal: Modern Geometric Logo Redesign for Python (No Animal Symbol)

[raaoufna59]

Hello everyone,

I would like to share an idea regarding the visual identity of the Python language.

Since Python has grown into one of the most important languages in AI, data science, education, and global enterprise environments, I believe the current snake-based logo no longer reflects the modern and professional image of Python today.

Why this proposal?

•	The snake icon feels cartoon-like and not aligned with the current position of Python as a global, academic, and enterprise-level language.

•	Many programming languages use clean geometric or typographic symbols (Swift, Rust, Kotlin, Java), which communicate clarity, professionalism, and modernity.

•	A geometric symbol makes Python easier to present in educational materials, corporate environments, and official documentation.

Proposed direction

A clean, modern, geometric logo based on:

•	A rounded hexagon (a common symbol in engineering and computing)

•	A stylized double “P” inside the hexagon, split into Python’s traditional blue (#306998) and yellow (#FFD43B)

•	Negative space forming a subtle coding shape like “>” or “()”

•	No animal imagery

•	Flat design, scalable, suitable for IDE icons, book covers, and documentation

I am attaching a conceptual prototype to illustrate the direction (if you want improvements, I can refine it).

The goal is not to replace the logo abruptly but to open a thoughtful discussion about a more modern identity for Python.

I would love to hear your feedback, suggestions, and thoughts.

If the community finds this direction promising, I can prepare a more detailed design package.

Thank you!

[Nineteendo (Nice Zombies)]

The current logo seems more minimalistic than the old one though:

And it’s still very recognizable even without the eyes:

If wouldn’t think your logo is for Python if I didn’t know.

[effigies (Chris Markiewicz)]

This isn’t an idea for evolving the language, so I moved it out of Ideas. I don’t know if there’s a better place, so I just put it in general/help.

[brass75 (Dan Shernicoff)]

PSF would probably be a better place.

[franklinvp]

I guess some Chinese are not going to like the 444.

[hugovk (Hugo van Kemenade)]

I doubt we’ll change to this (AI-generated image? It doesn’t match the (AI-generated?) description) because the current one is so widely recognised and adapted.

@raaoufna59

•	The snake icon feels cartoon-like and not aligned with the current position of Python as a global, academic, and enterprise-level language.

The Go gopher says “hi!”

[JoniKauf]

The snake icon feels cartoon-like and not aligned with the current position of Python as a global, academic, and enterprise-level language.

My two cents:

In the Python community, not everything is taken super seriously, and that is what I love about the language and its community.

It’s the reason we celebrate πthon and why its logo is about Pi and pies;
it’s the reason why from __future__ import braces future statement exists;
…

The logo is “cartoonish” because it best represents the community’s and language’s sentiment that way. I think making the logo Rust- or C-like would kinda strip away a bit of that identity and make it kind of lifeless/bland.

I also like to think about the fact that no matter what you do; maybe you are a scientist working on your super hard and complex paper; Python with its non-serious sentiment will still be there, you will be using it and maybe it will also remind you that not everything is life is super serious and it might even calm you down a bit in that stressful situation.

[MRAB (Matthew Barnett)]

Have you heard of the Ig Nobel prize? The winners wouldn’t attend it if they didn’t enjoy it!

[tjwilli58 (Tim Williams)]

@JoniKauf

It’s the reason we celebrate πthon and why its logo is about Pi and pies;

I never heard that one. I’ve always read that Python got its name from GVR being a fan of Monty Python. The snake logo is because a python is a snake isn’t it?

[Stefan2 (Stefan Pochmann)]

Why are you not also suggesting to change the name? After all, it’s an animal name, and even comes from a comedy group. Surely that’s even worse if you want it to be serious?

[Alex-Wasowicz (Aleksander Wąsowicz)]

@raaoufna59

and thoughts.

When I look at it, I see a square head without eye sockets – an eye-less clanker.

@raaoufna59

to open a thoughtful discussion about a more modern identity for Python.

I might have different understanding of modern than U.

@raaoufna59

The snake icon feels cartoon-like and not aligned with the current position of Python as a global, academic, and enterprise-level language.

1. “Cartoon-like” Even if, why is that bad?
2. “Global” It’s simple, and represents 2 snakes. How is it not global?
3. “Academic” I don’t even understand that part. What does it mean to feel academic? U can’t mean theorical, that doesn’t make sense.
4. “Enterprise” We could discuss, would Python 4 ever exist, but Python doesn’t have LTS version. PEP 602 doesn’t even consider possibly of versions supported longer than 5 years. To advertise Python as Enterprise feels weird to me.

@raaoufna59

Many programming languages use clean geometric or typographic symbols (Swift, Rust, Kotlin, Java)

5. *And Python. Geometric shapes in quetion: a bird , a gear , and a coffee . Kotlin is a cut-out square, sure. (AI slop? Text transformer can’t see images.)

@raaoufna59

which communicate clarity, professionalism, and modernity.

6. Logos are simplified to fit into 16x16 px, leading to squares, circles and squircles. This is done at the cost of clarity, not for it.
7. Mode ≠ modern. And following basic observation of a group, without understanding why they do it, doesn’t make anyone profesh.

@raaoufna59

A geometric symbol makes Python easier to present in educational materials, corporate environments, and official documentation.

8. Yes, it currently does. (AI slop? Generator forced to continue finished list.)

@raaoufna59

A rounded hexagon (a common symbol in engineering and computing)

10. Rounded hexagons are not common (AI slop? Text transformer can’t see images.)

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11. Ex. Image doesn’t much “proposed direction”. (AI slop img?) What was it’s point then? (AI slop list?) Or maybe both (AI slop post?), but why?

[Rosuav (Chris Angelico)]

@Alex-Wasowicz

AI slop?

Yes. Not a lot of point wasting time on replies.

[JoBe]

A python is a snake, so why make a hexagon?

Please refrain from posting AI slop that is so unlikely to be accepted, that it could be considered rage bait.

[MRAB (Matthew Barnett)]

A hexagon has one side per member of Monty Python, so there is a link.

[ambv (Łukasz Langa)]

@raaoufna59

The snake icon feels cartoon-like and not aligned with the current position of Python as a global, academic, and enterprise-level language.

Really? Is LLVM a silly project because of its wyvern logo? Is Docker not aligned with the enterprise because of its whale? Should PostgreSQL drop its cartoon-like elephant? Are childish mascots like tux, gopher, or Ferris right out?

@raaoufna59

The goal is not to replace the logo abruptly but to open a thoughtful discussion about a more modern identity for Python.

I think I’m speaking for most here when I say: thanks, we’re good.

[barry (Barry Warsaw)]

Short history lesson^[1].

Yes, Guido was a fan of Monty Python, which is where the name came from. I’m glad he didn’t choose “Monty” though! That was also how I personally first stumbled into the language, being a fan of that British comedy troupe myself.

For the longest time Guido did not want the language to be associated with snakes, because some people have an aversion to them. Then O’Reilly, which had a tradition of putting animals on their programming language book covers, came out with a book on Python, and well, reached for the obvious choice. There being no use fighting it anymore, the logos became snakeified and stayed that way through several iterations.

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1. as I remember it, but @guido was there first ↩︎