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Franzi | Games
Franzi | Games 
History: MERKUR Sun
It is the signature symbol of our brand and the entire MERKUR GROUP: the smiling MERKUR Sun. But what did it actually look like in the past?
approx. 3 min.
History: MERKUR Sun
Shining for almost 50 years
A dot here, a dot there, a comma, and a dash—and suddenly, a little moon face appears. Add a surrounding circle and a few beams of light, and you have a sun that shines bright.Dot, dot, comma, dash – and the moon face is finished. A circle around it and some rays attached, so it can shine brightly.
This classic German nursery rhyme is a piece of childhood for millions, passed down through generations. Interestingly, these simple words served as the creative spark for our official trademark.
Come along with us as we explore the fascinating journey of the MERKUR Sun!
Father of the MERKUR Sun
The man behind the logo was the late artist Werner Ganteföhr. He famously recalled the process, saying they didn't want something mundane like a piglet or a chimney sweep, so they chose a star instead. He leaned into the childhood rhyme about drawing a moon face with dots and dashes to create something radiant—a story that is now forever tied to the brand's identity.
Werner Ganteföhr and Paul Gauselmann, the founder of the MERKUR GROUP, first crossed paths in the early 60s and maintained a deep bond until Werner's passing in 2013.
1/3 The current version of the MERKUR Sun, as we recognize it today, was introduced in 2020.Since 2020, the MERKUR Sun has appeared in the form we know today.
2/3 The previous look: Up until 2015, the Sun was characterized by its white face.The predecessor: Until 2015, the MERKUR Sun had a white face.
3/3 The roots: This is the original design of the MERKUR Sun from its birth in 1976.The origin: This is what the very first MERKUR Sun looked like back in 1976.
Over the decades, the MERKUR Sun has been refreshed and tweaked with various colors to stay modern. The most significant precursor to the current look was the version featuring a white face and bright yellow rays, which dominated all branding and marketing materials until 2015.
A little secret: You can still find that classic white-faced Sun in a few special places—like on the oversized 'Enjoy the game' white T-shirt from our MERKUR STREETWEAR collection. white oversized “Enjoy the game” T-shirt from our MERKUR STREETWEAR brand.
