Ferrari’s famous “Prancing Horse” logo shows a horse. The black horse originally appeared on the aircraft of Italian fighter pilot Francesco Baracca during the First World War.
According to Ferrari’s account, Baracca’s mother, Countess Paolina, suggested that Enzo Ferrari use the horse on his cars because she believed it would bring good luck. Ferrari added a yellow background, representing Modena, his birthplace, and used the emblem on racing cars from 1932.
The shield often includes the letters “S F,” standing for Scuderia Ferrari, and the Italian tricolour at the top. Ferrari later used the horse in both shield and rectangular forms as the company expanded its road-car identity.
The animal is a stylized horse, not a bull or mythical creature. Its rearing pose explains the English nickname “Prancing Horse,” although the emblem’s Italian history is tied to Baracca and Ferrari’s racing team.