Since Babenzian relaunched the label in 2015, the brands trademark red cross has quickly become one of the most recognizable symbols in streetwear. While lacking the immediate recognition of Supreme’s red box or Stüssy script, for a specific subset of clothing aficionados the flared red cross carries an unmatched gravitas.

In fact, the equal-arm cross is a symbol of The Knights Templar. While perhaps best known for its role in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Knights Templar was in fact a real historical order, one of the most powerful non-state actors in the Middle Ages. Although later outlawed for wielding too much power over monarchs, the order was one of the largest donation networks in all of Christendom. Despite legends recounting its military might, the Templars were primarily non-combatants. With their sizeable means, the order developed one of the most advanced networks of fortifications and financing the world has ever seen, considered by many historical scholars as setting the foundations for modern day banking and multinational corporations. Considering how a group of individuals banded together and were powerful enough to challenge heads of state during a period of absolute reign, you can see how Babenzian gravitates towards the symbol.

Noah’s logo then is more than simply aesthetically pleasing. It symbolizes a group persecuted for holding those with power in check—something that Babenzien and Noah highly value and attempt to replicate.

While not an official logo, the Winged Foot has been a Noah signature since the relaunch in 2015. Most often linked with athletics, countless clubs—running clubs, in particular—have flown the Winged Foot flag, especially Ivy-affiliates. Considering both East Coast prep and running culture are crucial components of the Noah aesthetic, naturally the symbol wound up in the brands repertoire.

Beyond its collegiate connotations, the Winged Foot historically symbolized the Greek god Hermes, better known as the “messenger god.” That duality was not lost on the brand, who following the release of a batch of Winged Foot hoodies explained how Hermes “had a reputation for eloquence...and was a patron for travellers and heralds—anyone who was actively going places and had a message they wanted to spread.” Given the symbols loaded history and Noah’s expressed mission of spreading a message it believes in, the Winged Foot is a well-suited insignia.

An outspoken environmental activist, Babenzien openly addresses the dangers of climate change, often using Noah as a tool to do so. The brand has worked with ocean advocacy group Parley, strived to produce T-shirts made from recycled ocean plastic and to generally raise awareness about the dire state of the planet.

One of the brand’s clearest references to protecting the environment though, was including Smokey The Bear as a graphic throughout its Spring/Summer 2017 collection. Dating back to 1950, Smokey the Bear–then simply known as “Smokey Bear”—was a small bear cub that despite severe burns managed to survive an intense forest fire. Following the publication of his eponymous theme song in 1952, for generations “Smokey The Bear” was a nationally recognized symbol of forest fire prevention and general respect for the great outdoors.

As climate change has reared its ugly head, forest fires are increasingly common and more devastating than ever. Noah’s reintroduction of Smokey was a clear signal to the U.S. government—itself hell bent on deregulation with an overwhelming disregard for disaster prevention—that it would not be silenced. Instead, it encouraged fans to take a walk in their local national park, and fight for our preserved spaces.

While poignant, the image was successful in large part due to the fact that rather than overly aggressive it was a near-universally recognizable, even to those outside the United States.

Brands–for obvious reasons—tend to keep logos consistent. adidas is always written with a lowercase “a.” Nike’s sacred Swoosh was historically always at the exact same angle. Supreme may have lost a court case against Supreme Italia, but the brand will vehemently defend its iconic red box logo.

Noah’s decision to flip its own logo upside down then, was a statement. Aptly accompanied by a graphic that read “Nothing Sacred,” the inverted logo was meant to spark a debate around the slow degradation of civility within contemporary society. Alongside the release, Noah released a statement commenting on how people have become increasingly desensitized—and what may have previously been seen as abnormal is now considered to be the status quo.

The question then, was would people even notice the upside down logo? And if they did, would they perhaps wonder why—would they even care? Rather than a widely publicized capsule, the shirt was simply a small part of the brand’s Fall/Winter 2017 collection. The backstory was available as a small note on the brand’s website, for those who wanted to know more. Sure, it was a cool T-shirt, but additionally there was some subtle social commentary for those willing to do the research. A critique hidden in plain sight, as only Noah can do.

When most people see the famed Jolly Roger, pirates immediately come to mind. The skull and crossbones set against a black flag now represent a fantastical view of the outlaws of yore. For Noah though, the use of the Jolly Roger is more nuanced.

It’s widely believed that following persecution, remnants of Knights Templar who evaded arrest took to the seas as some of the first pirates. Rather than flying the Jolie Rouge—a flag flown alongside the Cross—they transitioned to the “Jolly Roger,” laying the groundwork for future swashbucklers. In that respect, Noah sees the Jolly Roger as representative of a group that was pushed to the fringes of society despite no wrongdoing simply for what it stood for. According to Noah, the Jolly Roger “represent[s] groups of independent thinkers and outlaws. This is something we can relate to, and a flag we’re proud to fly.”

Like the Winged Foot, Noah has used the Jolly Roger regularly over the past few years, often replacing the Knights Templar cross on logo T-shirts and hoodies, but also as an all-over print for the brand’s Fall/Winter 2018 Vans collaboration. The Jolly Roger logo is but another instance of Noah’s ethos as a rebellious, yet thoughtful clothing brand.

One of the most recognizable patterns in fashion, there are nearly infinite combinations of tartan. From the spacing between the lines to their weight and color, tartan variations are drastically different and in theory each represents something highly specific, with each clan in Scotland boasting its own distinct pattern.

While lacking a proprietary Tartan, Noah’s use of the traditional Scottish pattern is rich with meaning. A pattern embraced by everyone from rebels to militia since the 18th century, the pattern has cemented itself into the farthest corners of our culture, a part of niche subcultures and Upper Class uniforms alike.

Noah’s extensive use of the pattern over the years—on everything from caps to graphics—is a clever twist on its duality. Cherished by punks yet a regular part of private school uniforms, Tartan both fits within Noah’s prep confines yet also speaks to Noah’s love of counter-culture and willingness to challenge the establishment. A pattern that while clearly historic is additionally loaded with meaning. It’s Noah in a nutshell.