Club Atlético San Lorenzo de Almagro, the Argentine sports club based in the Boedo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, uses a shield-shaped crest built around its traditional blue and red (azulgrana) vertical stripes. The emblem centers on a white disc containing the interlocked initials “CASLA,” which stand for the club’s full name. The club’s official colors are blue and red, which is also the source of its “azulgrana” nickname.[1]
Design and History
The shield design dates to 1914 and has undergone several modifications over its history. Early versions used an oval or circular form before evolving into the shield shape seen today.[2] The central circular monogram with the CASLA initials has been a recurring element of the club’s identity since the early 20th century.[3]
In March 2013, the club introduced a redesigned official escudo (shield), which remained in use for over a decade.[4]
On April 1, 2026, coinciding with the club’s 118th anniversary, San Lorenzo unveiled an updated version of its crest under the slogan “La cultura de ser grande” (The culture of being great). According to the club’s announcement, the redesign included a more precise alignment of the stripes and borders, an equitable balance in proportions and distances, and adjustments to the thickness of lines and typography, giving the CASLA initials greater prominence. The black outer border was removed entirely, leaving only red, white and blue, a change intended to facilitate use across both print and digital media.[5][6] The club emphasized that despite the adjustments, the shield maintains its essence and symbolic value.[6]
Meaning and Symbolism
The blue and red colors of San Lorenzo have a documented religious origin. The club was founded by Father Lorenzo Massa in 1908, and according to the official website of FC Barcelona, which lists San Lorenzo among clubs sharing the azulgrana colors, it is said that Massa drew inspiration from the colors of the fabric of María Auxiliadora de los Cristianos (Mary Help of Christians). An alternative theory holds that the blue symbolized “ideals” and the red represented “struggle.”[7]
Typography and Design
The 2026 redesign specifically addressed the typography within the crest, with the club reporting that the thickness of the lettering was adjusted and that the CASLA initials now carry greater visual weight within the overall composition.[5][6] The club’s official website confirmed the renewal of the shield as part of a broader institutional effort to modernize its visual identity.[8]
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