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# Apache Software Foundation 'Turns a New Leaf' After 26 Years
- URL: https://itsfoss.com/news/apache-foundation-new-logo/
- Published: 2025-09-12T09:48:25.000Z
- Updated: 2025-09-12T09:48:25.000Z
- Description: New oak leaf symbol emphasizes community growth and cultural inclusivity.
- Author: Sourav Rudra
- Tags: Enterprise, News, #Import 2025-11-08 21:15

[The Apache Software Foundation](https://apache.org/?ref=itsfoss.com) (*ASF*) is one of the world's largest open source foundations, **overseeing more than 250 software projects** used by billions of people globally. 

Founded in 1999, the organization operates as a [501(c)(3) nonprofit](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/501%28c%29%283%29%5Forganization?ref=itsfoss.com), providing legal protection and infrastructure for volunteer-driven software development.

The foundation's projects include critical internet infrastructure like the Apache HTTP Server, which powers approximately 30% of all websites worldwide. Other major projects include Apache Spark for big data processing, Apache Kafka for streaming data, and Apache Hadoop for distributed storage and computing.

They have [recently unveiled a new oak leaf logo](https://news.apache.org/foundation/entry/introducing-the-asfs-new-logo?ref=itsfoss.com) that marks an end to their 26 year old feather identity.

## New Oak Leaf Logo Debuts

![a white background photo that shows the new multicolor oak leaf logo for the apache software foundation (asf)](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/2025/09/the-apache-foundation-oak-leaf-logo.jpg)

The feather logo debuted in 1999 when The Apache Software Foundation officially formed, and before that, the [original version](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD%5F4nXfZYOIK7DY506nou%5Fzf4kdt%5FWOTl6pp5B97S%5FGoKb9Rb7Mg5GQNVEWyQRUND8ottqkM5E51JbKgM0AQZot2fY5UHx2qrW-iIGp6dZ7yxPKg5QNPbFQQz7mOeFHZFCILbo5D7lniWSsQcn0UPJd8EPxaXnC4?key=EheHVgcIAlby1nNUgSmwgw&ref=itsfoss.com) appeared in the Apache HTTP Server project in 1997.

In contrast, the new oak leaf design aims to better represent the foundation's **"*community over code***" ethos while addressing cultural sensitivity concerns. You see, indigenous advocacy groups, including [Natives in Tech](https://www.linkedin.com/company/natives-in-tech/?ref=itsfoss.com), raised concerns about cultural appropriation of [Native American](https://www.britannica.com/topic/Native-American?ref=itsfoss.com) imagery. 

They argued that **non-Indigenous organizations should not use Indigenous themes or cultural elements** in their branding and corporate identity.

Luckily, the rebrand addresses those issues, and the new oak leaf design fits perfectly with ASF's forest metaphor, where eight founders "*planted an acorn*" in the 1990s that grew into today's vast ecosystem. Plus, ASF says that [oak](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oak?ref=itsfoss.com) trees symbolize endurance, community stewardship, and distributed networks through their leaf vein patterns.

However, **the foundation will retain the "*Apache*" name** despite cultural concerns. They cite massive legal complications, multi-year implementation, hefty costs, and security risks to global software infrastructure that would result from changing their established apache.org domain.

If you ask me, **the new logo perfectly depicts what the foundation does**. I love the colorways used, and the A and H in the new logo kind of look like a [Tepee](https://www.britannica.com/technology/tepee?ref=itsfoss.com), a type of housing used by the native people of America and Canada.

For more details on how this logo was created, you should read the announcement blog linked above.

**Suggested Read** 📖

[The Apache Software Foundation Welcomes a New PresidentWe can hope for some positive changes with the new president!![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/icon/android-chrome-192x192-239.png)It's FOSS NewsSourav Rudra![](https://itsfoss.com/content/images/thumbnail/apache-president.png)](https://itsfoss.com/asf-new-president/)