The two yellow arcs in McDonald's best-known symbol are commonly called the Golden Arches.
The arches began as architectural elements in McDonald's restaurant design and later became a graphic sign associated with the company. Their visual combination resembles the letter M, making the symbol recognizable even when the full company name is absent.
The arches are not simply a decorative typeface mark. Their history connects the physical appearance of early restaurants with the development of a corporate identity used on signs, packaging, advertising, and merchandise.
The name can cause confusion because people sometimes call the symbol the “golden M.” That description refers to its overall appearance, but “Golden Arches” is the established name used in discussions of McDonald's branding and logo history.