The Apache Software Foundation (ASF), one of the world’s largest open source organizations, has introduced a new logo and refreshed brand identity. According to the project, the update marks the first major change in years and is meant to better represent the foundation’s values of resilience, inclusivity, and community-driven collaboration.
The centerpiece of the new logo is an oak leaf. ASF says the symbol was chosen for its global recognition as a tree of strength and longevity.
“The oak is one of the most enduring trees and is found around the world. It grows slowly but steadily, supporting vast ecosystems and lasting for centuries. In the same way, The ASF has served as a stable, resilient steward of open source for more than 25 years and is looking to the long future ahead. Choosing the oak leaf as our new logo represents the enduring power of our ethos: community over code.”
But there’s another issue that’s been troubling the organization for years—in November 2021, The Apache Software Foundation (ASF) faced criticism from the non-profit group Natives in Tech, which argued that the foundation’s feather logo and branding amounted to cultural appropriation.
In an open letter, the group said the use of Native imagery perpetuated stereotypes and wrongly implied endorsement or affiliation with Indigenous communities. So, with a high degree of probability, we can assume that the new oak leaf design is in some way ASF’s approach to addressing those concerns while still keeping the “Apache” name.
The redesign replaces the long-standing feather motif that had become closely associated with ASF’s identity. According to the foundation, the feather carried Indigenous symbolism that no longer aligned with its values of inclusivity and neutrality. The oak leaf, by contrast, reflects themes of resilience, openness, and stewardship that ASF considers central to its mission.
However, you don’t need a sharp eye for design to see it—the new logo mixes an oak leaf with the feather that’s been part of Apache’s identity for decades. Anyway. Here’s how the Apache logo has evolved over the years.
The foundation emphasized that the new identity was shaped through the same open governance model used for its software projects. A Logo Project Management Committee (PMC) guided the process, with contributions from ASF members and input from design partners.
The updated logo retains a similar color palette for continuity, while modernizing its design to fit better across websites, documentation, and other digital platforms. Starting today, all public uses of the ASF logo must follow the newly published brand guidelines.
Lastly, ASF confirmed that the update affects only branding. The Apache license, project governance, and software operations remain unchanged. Projects such as Apache HTTP Server will continue using their established names, and the foundation itself will still operate under its full legal name, “The Apache Software Foundation,” where required.
For more information, see the ASF’s announcement.
It was Larry Wall’s patch program from which the venerable HTTP daemon originally derived its famous name. There were so many patches to the server’s precursor, that it was somewhat comically referred to as “a patchy” server. The spelling, of course, was changed to add gravitas and to honor the native American tribe, not to besmirch it.