Behind the logo for WYD Seoul 2027

The design of the logo for the 41^st World Youth Day in Seoul, to be held in 2027, was the first step taken by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) in Seoul and was announced during a Press Conference last 24 September, together with the theme of the Day “Take courage! I have overcome the world!” (John 16:33).

Designing the logo for WYD Seoul 2027

The promotion of a WYD always includes the preparation of a hymn, an official prayer, and a logo. Based on the characteristics and pace of the Korean society, the Local Organizing Committee for the WYD in Seoul has first of all identified the urgent need for a logo to kick start the preparations.

The LOC has therefore decided to focus on listening to several young people to design a logo that reflects their individual perspectives, rather than organizing an international contest. To this end, the LOC has worked with the Research Institute for Environmental Arts at Hongik University. Students majoring in design, both religious and non-religious, worked hard to capture the feeling of young Koreans to be expressed through a graphic symbol.

Then, in August 2024, the LOC carried out a “Survey on the preference of the logo design for WYD Seul 2027” through online forms and open to all young people, both Catholic and non-Catholic. More than 2,500 people participated in the one-week survey, showing great interest and enthusiasm for WYD Seul 2027. Through the survey, young participants shared their thoughts on the symbolic expressions that embody Catholic, global, young, and festive characteristics of the WYD. Data was shared with a research team from Hongik University, which used it to design the logo.

Symbols and meanings

At the centre of the logo, the cross is formed by two brush strokes – red and blue – that depict the desire that “God’s will may be done on earth.” By adding the ieung (ㅇ) to the cross, you can see the figure of a young person. The colours – red, blue, and black – are taken from the South Korean flag, and complemented with yellow. The red colour recalls the blood-stained martyrdom, and the blue captures the energy of youth. The yellow circle at the centre of the cross embodies the glory of Christ’s victory, recalling the theme of the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul. Finally, the black colour shows the mysterious future that awaits the light and the courage of the youth.

서울, Seoul is written using the traditional Korean calligraphy, but it also includes the letters W, Y, and D (World Youth Day). “Seoul” and “WYD” are therefore perfectly united to show that the WYD Seoul 2027 will be an event where young people from across the world meet in Seoul.

The logo for WYD Seoul 2027 is particularly special, as this WYD will be hosted in a non-Christian country. A clear representation of the cross, along with the word Seoul and the acronym of the Day, are very meaningful. In fact, the WYD in Seoul will show the importance of faith to a large number of people, regardless of their involvement or religious belief.

A great sign of the Church’s universality and of the dream of unity

Resulting from young people’s opinions, the final logo – designed by a non-religious young woman from South Korea and finalized by the research team from Hongik University – was chosen for its Eastern character, which is perfectly in line with the Holy Father’s announcement about Seoul being the next city to host the WYD: “It will move to the Far East. This is a marvellous sign of the Church’s universality and of the dream of unity to which you bear witness!”