Historical Crests SC Corinthians Paulista

Name: ​ ​SC Corinthians Paulista

Nickname(s): Timão (The Great Team), Coringão (Big Corinthians)

Founded: 1910

Stadium: Neo Química Arena

Capacity: 49,205

​SC Corinthians Paulista Crest History

The crest history of Sport Club Corinthians Paulista developed from extremely simple monograms into one of the most recognisable badges in Brazilian football. The modern emblem combines the club's black-and-white identity with the flag of the state of São Paulo and powerful maritime symbols — an anchor and two crossed oars — which have defined the Corinthians crest since the late 1930s.

The earliest 1910–1914 emblem was remarkably simple. It consisted only of the intertwined black letters C and P, representing Corinthians Paulista. There was no shield, football or additional decoration, giving the newly founded club a straightforward monogram as its first visual identity.

Between 1914 and 1915, the monogram became more elaborate. The letters S, C and P, representing Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, were intertwined inside a small shield. This was the first Corinthians badge to place the club's initials within a defined heraldic shape.

The 1915–1916 version retained the intertwined initials but introduced a darker, more substantial shield. A white central field contained the black monogram, surrounded by a heavy black border that gave the crest a stronger appearance.

An alternative 1915 design used another shield shape with the same intertwined SCP initials. The lettering itself remained the dominant feature, illustrating the experimentation that characterised Corinthians' earliest visual identity.

From 1916 to 1919, the shield disappeared again and the monogram was placed inside a simple circular outline. The intertwined letters became more fluid and balanced, creating a design that anticipated the circular structure of later Corinthians badges.

A fundamental change occurred in 1919. The 1919–1939 crest introduced a circular badge carrying the name S.C. CORINTHIANS PAULISTA and the foundation year 1910 around its border. At the centre appeared the flag of the state of São Paulo, establishing a regional symbol that remains part of the club's crest today.

In 1939, the emblem underwent its most important transformation. The 1939–1980 design placed the existing circular badge in front of a large red anchor and two crossed red oars. These nautical elements were introduced by artist and former Corinthians player Francisco Rebolo, reflecting the club's success in rowing, an important sporting section of Corinthians at the time.

Between 1980 and 1990, the same basic composition was modernised. The São Paulo flag became more detailed and dynamic, while the anchor, oars and circular border were refined. Despite these graphical changes, the fundamental structure established in 1939 remained intact.

The 1990–1991 version introduced further refinements to the maritime elements and the central flag. The anchor and crossed oars became more stylised, while the circular Corinthians badge gained additional detail and stronger outlines.

Following Corinthians' first Brazilian championship in 1990, a gold star began appearing above the crest. The 1991–1994 version therefore combined the traditional badge with a single star commemorating this major national achievement.

During 1991–1994, versions both with and without the championship star were used. The underlying crest itself remained essentially unchanged, with the São Paulo flag surrounded by the club name and foundation year and backed by the red anchor and oars.

In 1995, another championship star was incorporated following Corinthians' 1995 Copa do Brasil triumph. During this period the use and interpretation of stars above the badge evolved as the club accumulated major national honours.

The 1996–1998 crest continued with a single prominent gold star above the emblem, while the badge itself became cleaner and increasingly similar to the modern Corinthians crest.

Between 1998 and 1999, a second gold star appeared following another Brazilian championship. The stars increasingly became a visual record of Corinthians' growing collection of major titles.

The 1999–2000 version displayed additional stars after further national success, while the underlying anchor-and-oars design remained unchanged. By the end of the 1990s, Corinthians had established itself as one of the dominant clubs in Brazilian football.

From 2000 to 2005, the star arrangement was expanded following Corinthians' victory in the inaugural FIFA Club World Championship in 2000. A larger star representing the world title was positioned prominently above the smaller stars associated with domestic championships.

Between 2005 and 2009, further stars were incorporated as Corinthians accumulated additional major honours. Although visually impressive, the growing collection increasingly competed with the crest itself and eventually led the club to reconsider their use.

The 2009–2010 version continued the multi-star presentation, with the larger world championship star above a row of smaller stars. This was among the most elaborate versions of the standard Corinthians crest.

From 2010 to 2012, Corinthians removed the stars and returned to the standalone crest. The decision created a cleaner identity and reflected the idea that the club's history should not be represented only by a selected group of trophies. Since then, championship stars have generally not formed part of the official badge.

Corinthians also introduced a special centenary emblem in 2010 to celebrate 100 years since the club's foundation. The design revived the historic intertwined CP monogram, presented in white inside a black circular field with gold detailing, the years 1910 and 2010, and the number 100 accompanied by decorative branches. It was a commemorative mark rather than a permanent replacement for the traditional crest.

Since 2012, Corinthians has used a refined version of its classic emblem without stars. The central São Paulo state flag remains surrounded by S.C. CORINTHIANS PAULISTA – 1910, while the red anchor and crossed oars continue to frame the circular badge.

​SC Corinthians Paulista Club History

Sport Club Corinthians Paulista was founded on 1 September 1910 in the working-class district of Bom Retiro in São Paulo. Five railway workers, Joaquim Ambrósio, Antônio Pereira, Rafael Perrone, Anselmo Correia and Carlos Silva, were inspired after watching the English amateur side Corinthian FC during its tour of Brazil. They decided to establish a club accessible to ordinary workers, giving Corinthians a popular identity that remains central to the institution today.

Corinthians entered organised football in São Paulo and quickly became competitive. The club won its first Campeonato Paulista in 1914, completing the championship unbeaten. Another title followed in 1916, establishing Corinthians as an important force only a few years after its foundation.

The club became one of the dominant sides in São Paulo during the 1920s and 1930s. Corinthians achieved two sequences of three consecutive Paulista championships, 1922, 1923 and 1924, followed by 1928, 1929 and 1930. A further three-title sequence came in 1937, 1938 and 1939, strengthening its position among the state's traditional giants.

Corinthians' enormous popular following grew alongside its sporting success. Its origins among workers and immigrants helped create the image of the club as the Time do Povo (People's Team). The passionate supporter base became known collectively as the Fiel (The Faithful), one of the most recognisable fan identities in South American football.

The early 1950s produced another celebrated Corinthians generation. The club won the Campeonato Paulista in 1951 and 1952 and captured the 1953 Torneio Rio–São Paulo. Corinthians then won the 1954 Paulista championship, a particularly prestigious title because it coincided with celebrations surrounding the 400th anniversary of the city of São Paulo.

A long state-title drought followed. Corinthians went more than two decades without winning the Campeonato Paulista, creating one of the most emotionally charged periods in the club's history. The wait finally ended in 1977, when Corinthians defeated Ponte Preta to become São Paulo state champion. Basílio's decisive goal became one of the most celebrated moments in the club's history.

During the early 1980s, Corinthians became famous for something that extended beyond football. The Democracia Corinthiana (Corinthians Democracy) movement, associated particularly with players such as Sócrates, Wladimir, Casagrande and Zenon, gave players a greater voice in club decisions. At a time when Brazil was still under military rule, the movement also became associated with broader calls for democracy. On the pitch, Corinthians won the Campeonato Paulista in 1982 and 1983.

Corinthians achieved another major milestone in 1990, winning the Campeonato Brasileiro for the first time. Led by midfielder Neto, the club defeated city rival São Paulo in the final, finally adding Brazil's principal national league championship to its honours.

The 1990s became one of Corinthians' most successful domestic periods. The club won its first Copa do Brasil in 1995 and added Brazilian championships in 1998 and 1999. Players such as Marcelinho Carioca, Rincón, Vampeta and Edílson became closely associated with this successful generation.

In 2000, Corinthians achieved its first world title by winning the inaugural FIFA Club World Championship, staged in Brazil. After progressing from a group containing Real Madrid, Corinthians faced Vasco da Gama in the final at the Maracanã. The match finished 0–0 before Corinthians won the penalty shootout, becoming the competition's first champion.

The following decade brought both success and one of the club's greatest crises. Corinthians won another Brazilian championship in 2005, but financial and sporting problems culminated in relegation to Série B in 2007, the first relegation from the top division in club history.

Corinthians responded immediately. The club dominated Série B in 2008, winning the championship and returning to Série A at the first attempt. The arrival of Brazilian superstar Ronaldo helped accelerate the revival, and Corinthians won both the Campeonato Paulista and Copa do Brasil in 2009.

Another outstanding era began in the early 2010s. Corinthians won the 2011 Campeonato Brasileiro and entered the following season determined to capture the one major trophy that had always eluded the club, the Copa Libertadores.

In 2012, Corinthians finally became South American champion. Under coach Tite, the club completed the entire Libertadores campaign unbeaten, defeating Boca Juniors in the final. The victory was one of the most important moments in Corinthians history and qualified the club for the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan.

Corinthians then defeated African champions Al Ahly before facing Chelsea in the 2012 FIFA Club World Cup final in Yokohama. A second-half header from Paolo Guerrero gave Corinthians a famous 1–0 victory, while goalkeeper Cássio produced an outstanding performance. Thousands of Corinthians supporters travelled to Japan, making the triumph one of the defining episodes of the club's modern history.

In 2013, Corinthians added the Recopa Sudamericana, defeating São Paulo, and also won another Campeonato Paulista. The period confirmed the club as one of South America's strongest teams.

A new home arrived in 2014 with the opening of the stadium now known as the Neo Química Arena, in the Itaquera district of São Paulo. The stadium hosted the opening match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup and replaced the smaller Estádio Alfredo Schürig, commonly known as Parque São Jorge, as Corinthians' principal match venue.

Further domestic success followed. Corinthians produced an outstanding campaign to win the 2015 Campeonato Brasileiro and became national champion again in 2017. The club also won three consecutive Campeonato Paulista titles in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

Corinthians' greatest rivalry is with Palmeiras. Their matches form the Derby Paulista, widely regarded as one of the fiercest rivalries in Brazilian and South American football. The rivalry stretches back more than a century and reflects the enormous supporter bases and contrasting histories of the two clubs.

Matches against São Paulo FC are known as the Majestoso, while encounters with Santos FC form the Clássico Alvinegro, named after the black-and-white colours shared by both clubs. Together, Corinthians, Palmeiras, São Paulo and Santos constitute the traditional four giants of football in the state of São Paulo.

Back to Historical Crests Brazil