Paralympic Symbol History: From Tae-Geuks to Agitos
Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2012/08/22 - Updated: 2025/06/25
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Paralympic Games - Academic Publications
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This information provides documentation of the Paralympic symbol's evolution and meaning from the International Paralympic Committee's official records. The resource traces the development of three distinct Paralympic symbols from 1988 to present, explaining how the current "three Agitos" design symbolizes motion and reflects the Paralympic motto "Spirit in Motion." The content draws from official IPC records and provides authoritative historical context about each symbol's adoption and significance. This information serves as a valuable reference for researchers, educators, and Paralympic enthusiasts who need accurate details about Paralympic branding and symbolism. The documentation is particularly useful for people with disabilities interested in Paralympic history, as well as for educators teaching about adaptive sports and the Paralympic movement's organizational development - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
The symbols of the Paralympic Games are powerful representations of unity, strength, and the spirit of inclusion that define this global sporting event. These symbols, including the iconic Agitos emblem, the Paralympic motto, and the official colors, serve not only as visual identifiers but also as profound expressions of the values and aspirations of the Paralympic Movement. They celebrate the achievements of athletes with disabilities and promote a message of courage, determination, and inspiration. Understanding these symbols offers deeper insight into the identity and mission of the Paralympic Games, as well as the unifying force they bring to the international stage.
Main Content
Current Paralympic Symbol
The Current Paralympic Symbol (three Agitos) consists of three elements in red, blue and green - the three colors that are most widely represented in national flags around the world. The three Agitos (from the Latin meaning "I move") encircling a central point symbolize motion, emphasize the role of the Paralympic Movement in bringing athletes together from all corners of the world to compete.
The symbol also reflects the Paralympic Motto, "Spirit in Motion," representing the strong will of every Paralympian. The Paralympic Symbol also emphasizes the fact that Paralympic athletes are constantly inspiring and exciting the world with their performances: always moving forward and never giving up.
The current Paralympic Symbol was created by the internationally renowned agency "Scholz & Friends", and approved at the IPC Executive Board meeting held in Athens 4 to 6 April 2003, when the Committee decided on a new corporate identity. The previous symbol remained in limited use through the Athens 2004 Paralympics.
Previous Paralympic Symbol (1994-2004)
The second Paralympic symbol used three Tae-Geuks.
In March 1992 the Paralympic symbol was changed to a version with three tae-gueks. This was not used until after the 1994 Winter Paralympics in Lillehammer, Norway.
A Paralympic Symbol with three Tae-Geuks was officially launched on a worldwide level at the 1994 World Championships in IPC sports.
"Mind, Body, Spirit " was adopted as the Paralympic Motto. In 2003, this symbol was replaced by the current one and the new motto officially became "Spirit in Motion ".
First Paralympic Symbol (1988-1994)
The first symbol incorporated the Tae-Geuk, which is a traditional Korean decorative motif.
Tae-Geuks were first used in a symbol at the 1988 Paralympic Games in Seoul, Korea. At that time, the symbol consisted of five Tae-Geuks in a configuration and in colors similar to the Olympic Rings, i.e., blue, black, red, yellow and green.
At the end of the Seoul 1988 Paralympics, the symbol was adopted by the then International Co-ordinating Committee of World Sports Organizations for the Disabled (ICC) and used as a symbol for the co-ordination of the Paralympic Games of the various international organizations of sport for the disabled.
Paralympics Logo
Each Paralympic Games has its own Paralympic emblem, or logo. The city that hosts the Paralympic Games creates a symbol to represent the event. This design incorporates the Paralympic symbol, the name of the event, and one or more distinctive elements to identify the event.
It is the responsibility of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) to approve Paralympic emblems for the Paralympic games. The Paralympic emblems are used in promotional materials, by sponsors of the Paralympics, and on the uniforms of every Paralympic competitor. All emblems are the property of the IPC.
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: The evolution of Paralympic symbols reflects not merely aesthetic changes but the maturation of an international movement that has grown from using borrowed Korean motifs to developing its own distinctive visual identity. The progression from five Tae-Geuks to three, and finally to the dynamic Agitos, mirrors the Paralympic movement's journey toward independence and global recognition as a premier sporting event that celebrates athletic excellence across all forms of human ability - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.