More than 40 billion Oreo cookies are produced every year, making Oreo the top-selling cookie of the 20th century. But have any of the billions of consumers ever noticed that they licked off the creamy white filling from the Knights Templar symbol, dipped the cross pattée sign into the glass of milk, or bit into the Nabisco logo? Life is just full of surprises. Here’s everything you need to know about the design on Oreo cookies — and the dark truth behind it.
Cross of Lorraine
A circle topped with a two-bar cross is not just a Nabisco logo, but also one that stands for a European symbol of quality. Experts believe the design for the Nabisco symbol was derived from the Cross of Lorraine, which was carried by the Knights Templar during the First Crusade in the 11th century. These knights, along with many other Christian pilgrims, went to Jerusalem, the capital of Israel, to recapture the land from the Turks. The Knights then mercilessly massacred Muslim and Jewish people upon their arrival to the city in a genocide. Dark, dark, history.
Cross Pattée
Just like the Cross of Lorraine, the geometric pattern of a dot with four triangles radiating outward is yet another symbol that connects Oreos with the history of the First Crusade. The pattern closely resembles a Cross Pattée, a symbol that the Knights Templar adopted by sewing the red or black crosses on their white robes and other pieces of clothing to distinguish themselves from soldiers of other religions.
Beyond the individual motif, some have wondered if the geometric pattern is meant to represent a laurel wreath, which was a symbol of victory in Ancient Rome and Greece. Plus, this would provide some insight into the cookie’s name, according to food writer Stella Parks. Parks proposes a connection between the cookie’s name and design to the plant genus Oreodaphne, which is a member of the laurel family member. Plus, the botanical origin theory ties in with other Nabisco cookies that were sold around the time of Oreo’s debut, including treats with botanical names such as Avena, Lotus, and Helicon
But while some people do recognize this ancient emblem, most consumers tend to see it as a four-leaf clover, with each “leaf” of the motif emphasizing hope, faith, love, and luck. No wonder why Oreo is so lucky when it comes to selling product.
Shape
An Oreo isn’t just a tasty cookie; it is also a friendly, circular reminder that the power of changing your life is all in your hands. The circle has many mystical meanings including a circle of life, creation, infinity, power, love, and most importantly, change.
Why are they called “Oreo” cookies?
The origin of the name “Oreo” remains a mystery. Some believe that the cookie’s name came from the French word “gold” (doré) because that was the color of the original Oreo package. Others claim that the name is a combination of taking the letters “r” and “e” — the center letters of the word “cream” — and placing it between two “o”s, which could represent the vowels in chocolate, or the cream between two circular cookies. No matter how you slice it (or eat the cookie), you get “o-re-o.”
Of course, you can ponder the symbolism of the iconic cookie and how the Oreo got its catchy name for a long time, but it’s much better to grab a whole package of these delicious cookies, take a cup of milk, and enjoy the late-night snack you deserve.