A: A glyph is a hieroglyphic character or symbol; a pictograph. It is important to refer to these as glyphs rather than logos, as we are not claiming to have invented anything new. Rather, we have stylistically interpreted existing glyphs to make a statement of affinity.

A: The glyphs are three newly stylized symbols adapted from the Aztec Sun Stone: Ehecatl (Wind), Ocelotl (Jaguar), and Calli (House). Each glyph is aligned with SDSU’s values and  mission: education, health, and community.

A: Ehecatl (Wind): Represents Quetzalcoatl, god of intelligence and self-reflection. Associated with mind, education, and focus.

Ocelotl (Jaguar): Represents Tezcatlipoca, god of the night sky, memory, and time. Associated with valor, health, and grit.

Calli (House): Represents Tepeyollotl, god of animals, caves, and echoes. Symbolizes community, family, and pride. 

A: They fulfill promises made after the 2018 Aztec Identity decision, expanding the university’s visual identity in ways that honor Aztec heritage while fostering pride and understanding within the SDSU community.

A: Over the last several years, SDSU worked with Mesoamerican scholars, internal faculty experts, external faculty and scholarly experts, artist Noé Silva of Coahuila, Mexico, and researchers and partners at Downstream to help guide and inform the process. The designs were developed to retain defining elements of the original cultural symbols while adapting them respectfully for use as part of SDSU’s Aztec identity.

A: They will be incorporated into SDSU Athletics uniforms, branding at athletics venues, and student athlete development programming. In the coming months, SDSU Athletics will collaborate with coaches to integrate the symbols into our athletics programs.

A: No. In May 2018, SDSU announced that it would retain the Aztec name but would no longer refer to the Aztec as the university mascot. The 2018 decision followed months of task force meetings, as well as thousands of survey responses and input from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the broader San Diego community.