The municipal device of Chicago is a symbol used officially by the city of

Chicago, Illinois (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

, as well as unofficially by various agencies and companies associated with the city. As defined by city code, it consists of a Y shape inscribed inside of a circle. The symbol represents the north, south, and main branches of the

Chicago River The Chicago River is a system of rivers and canals with a combined length of that runs through the city of Chicago, including its center (the Chicago Loop). Though not especially long, the river is notable because it is one of the reasons for ...

, and their confluence at

Wolf Point Wolf Point ( asb, šųktógeja oʾípa) is an incorporated ranchingtown in, and the county seat of, Roosevelt County, Montana, United States. The population was 2,517 at the 2020 census, down 4% from 2,621 in the 2010 Census. It is the larges ...

. Its earliest known appearance was in 1892 for a contest to design the city's flag held by the

Chicago Tribune The ''Chicago Tribune'' is a daily newspaper based in Chicago, Illinois, United States, owned by Tribune Publishing. Founded in 1847, and formerly self-styled as the "World's Greatest Newspaper" (a slogan for which WGN radio and television ar ...

. While this was ultimately not used for the flag, in 1917 it was officially adopted along with the flag and

seal Seal may refer to any of the following: Common uses * Pinniped, a diverse group of semi-aquatic marine mammals, many of which are commonly called seals, particularly: ** Earless seal, or "true seal" ** Fur seal * Seal (emblem), a device to impr ...

as symbols of the city of Chicago. City of Chicago Traffic Control utility box (24269667828)

The municipal device was widely used in the early twentieth century on civic vehicles and buildings but fell out of favor in the latter half of the century. The exact reasons for its decreased use are unknown, but was possibly motivated by concerns it would be confused with the

peace sign A number of peace symbols have been used many ways in various cultures and contexts. The dove and olive branch was used symbolically by early Christians and then eventually became a secular peace symbol, popularized by a ''Dove'' lithograph by ...

, especially as some agencies purposefully flipped the device to celebrate the reversal of the Chicago River. In addition, as affordable vinyl printing made detailed signage more accessible, the device lost popularity on city vehicles in favor of printing the full seal. It is still used prominently in the seal of the

Chicago Public Library The Chicago Public Library (CPL) is the public library system that serves the City of Chicago in the U.S. state of Illinois. It consists of 81 locations, including a central library, two regional libraries, and branches distributed throughout the ...

and can be found on buildings throughout the city such as the

Chicago Theatre The Chicago Theatre, originally known as the Balaban and Katz Chicago Theatre, is a landmark theater located on North State Street in the Loop area of Chicago, Illinois. Built in 1921, the Chicago Theatre was the flagship for the Balaban an ...

References

Municipal device of Chicago The municipal device of Chicago is a symbol used officially by the city of Chicago, Illinois, as well as unofficially by various agencies and companies associated with the city. As defined by city code, it consists of a Y shape inscribed inside ...

Government of Chicago 1917 establishments in Illinois {{Chicago-stub