What are the two arches in McDonald's best-known logo called?

The two arches in McDonald's best-known logo are called the Golden Arches. They became one of the world's most recognizable corporate symbols and eventually formed the letter M.

The arches originated as architectural features on McDonald's restaurant buildings. The first arches were designed for the chain's early drive-in restaurants, where large yellow structures helped motorists identify the locations from the road.

The logo's meaning changed over time. At first, the arches were physical parts of restaurant design; later, they were combined into a stylized emblem used on signs, packaging, advertising, and company communications.

The Golden Arches are sometimes mistaken for a symbol created at the same moment as the first McDonald's restaurant. In fact, the branding developed in stages during the 1950s and early 1960s as the company expanded beyond its original California locations.