The Olympic rings stand for global unity in sport: five interlocking rings represent the world’s continents coming together and athletes meeting at the Games in a spirit of friendship and fair play.

What the Olympic rings mean

  • The symbol is made of five interlaced rings of equal size: blue, yellow, black, green, and red on a white background.
  • They represent the union of the five inhabited continents (Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, and Oceania) and the meeting of athletes from all over the world at the Olympic Games.
  • The interlocking design shows the idea of connection, unity, and cooperation between nations, not separation.

A simple way to picture it: each ring is like a different part of the world, and the fact that they are linked shows everyone is connected through sport.

Do the colors have specific meanings?

  • The colors were chosen so that at least one of them appears in the flag of every nation (together with the white background).
  • Contrary to a common myth, each color is not officially assigned to a specific continent.

So while people sometimes say “blue = Europe” or “yellow = Asia,” that’s not what the official Olympic rules say.

Quick history snapshot

  • The rings were created in 1913 by Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic Games.
  • They were designed as a single, simple symbol for the Olympic Movement and its values of excellence, friendship, and respect.

Over time, they’ve become one of the most recognizable logos in the world, especially during each new Olympic Games.

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Wondering what does the Olympic rings mean? Learn how the five interlocking rings symbolize the unity of continents, global athletes coming together, and the core spirit of the Olympic Games.

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