The Original Round Table Emblem
In its early years, Round Table did not have a unified symbol. The emblem we recognize today was adopted later. A simpler Victorian round table design initially served as the RT pin before evolving into the internationally recognized badge.
Inspiration for the Rondel
The Great Hall in the Winchester Castle in Hampshire, England, houses arguably one of the greatest symbols of medieval mythology & inspiration to the organisation’s emblem, King Arthur’s Round Table. Although Round Table International has no direct affiliation with the Knights of the Round Table, its logos are inspired by the Arthurian legend. With no head at the table, the iconic top personifies chivalry, service, equality and shared importance. The table in The Great Hall is not from the time of King Arthur but rather built six centuries later by Edward I. Constructed of English oak, this magnificent centre piece measures 5.5 meters in diameter and weighs 1.32 tons.
Inspired by the above, the Round Table International logo, also referred to as a “Rondel”, features a globe in the centre and around it, black and white stripes which form a circle. And on top, the King. The current logo and other national logos were modernized in 2022. The charge or icon depicted in the centre of most National Rondels differentiates as it represents a national symbol, for example, a national animal or flora. (Rondel Heraldry)
The first Round Table Association, Great Britain & Ireland, features the Tudor Rose. In some instances of national representation, the king’s appearance is different or replaced by a national relevant substitute. Often, on the outside of the rondel, the country’s colours are prominent. (Rondel Variations)
Previous Versions
RTI Rondel 1948 — 1961
RTI Rondel used in the letterheads of official letters and telegrams. The central globe is tilted sideways off its main axis. Seen in correspondence between 1956 and 1958.
Between 1961–1991, this logo represented Round Table associations within World Council of Service Clubs (WOCO), and was used on certificates and correspondance. At times, WOCO used the RTBI rondel to represent RT in general.
The logo used for Round Table International, from the 90s onwards. It might have been used unofficially eariler too to represent collective Round Table Associations during the WOCO era. With the proliferation of email communications, digitally coloured variants were available.
As seen on the front page of the 1991 RTI Constitution (online pdf version). This version makes it clear that the rondel is being used by RTI. The jewel of the International President is designed around this variant.
Used from 2007 to 2022, this rondel was used during the boom of social media and digital communications. This was first published in the August 2007 edition of the Newsflash Magazine, featuring different variations of the new design. Many logos used by associations and clubs, yet to be updated still reference this version.
Current Version; 2022 onwards
The current Rondel was presented and ap
proved on 22 September of 2022, during the RTI WM 2022 Copenhagen, Denmark. The new logo was designed to have better proportions and clearer detail. Soon after being approved, associations with the assistance of the RTI board, started updating their own rondels to reflect this change.
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