The journey of the PostgreSQL logo, affectionately known as “Slonik,” is a tale steeped in history and creativity, as recounted by Oleg Bartunov, CEO of Postgres Professional. Oleg, a witness to the logo’s evolution, has meticulously preserved an archive of correspondence and design iterations that chart the course of this beloved symbol.
The Idea Was in the Air
The inception of Slonik dates back to 1997, a time when the PostgreSQL community was still in its infancy. The quest for a unifying symbol sparked intense discussions across mailing lists. Among the myriad suggestions, one stood out: David Yang proposed an elephant as the mascot. Drawing inspiration from Agatha Christie’s novel Elephants Can Remember, Yang articulated a simple yet profound analogy — much like elephants, databases are designed to store information reliably over time, and they are universally regarded in a positive light.
Though the idea resonated with many, it was never formally adopted. Instead, PostgreSQL relied on a series of temporary logos, from the “Powered by Postgres95” emblem to a cheetah, leaving the community yearning for a cohesive visual identity.
The Birth of the Elephant in Saint Petersburg
Fast forward to April 1999, in St. Petersburg, where the nascent Runet was beginning to flourish. Dmitry Samersov, a key figure in this narrative, recalls the vibrant atmosphere of a small bar on Malaya Morskaya Street, where early internet pioneers congregated. Dmitry, who worked at WebPlus and was actively implementing PostgreSQL, found himself deeply engaged in the community discussions.
With a small design studio named Kamen, Dmitry decided to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about redesigning the postgresql.org website. He enlisted the help of designer Ekaterina Papchinskaya to create a mockup that included a logo. This was not a formal commission but rather a casual contribution to the conversation.
As the concept of the “elephant in a diamond” began to take shape, Dmitry faced the challenge of visualizing the elephant. He noted the scarcity of usable clipart at the time, leading him to photograph a figurine of an elephant on his desk. The diamond shape was chosen deliberately; it provided a cleaner, more technical aesthetic, symbolizing the transformation of the elephant’s natural memory into something beneficial for the community.
The logo’s intentional asymmetry was designed to evoke a sense of life, steering clear of the sterile symmetry typical of early computer graphics. Dmitry and Ekaterina aimed for the elephant to feel organic, reflecting the natural world. The color blue was selected for its calming qualities, avoiding harsh tones that could detract from the logo’s appeal.
The mockup and logo were shared on Dmitry’s personal site, devnull.wplus.net, and subsequently circulated on the mailing list. His message from April 12, 1999, remains a testament to this moment, marking the first appearance of the logo sketch within the community.
Logo Evolution
Although Dmitry and Ekaterina’s initial sketch was not adopted verbatim, elements of their design were embraced. Just eleven days later, Daniel Lundin from Sweden acknowledged their work and proposed a professional redesign of the logo and website before the release of version 6.5. He recognized the importance of a strong visual identity, which was crucial for gaining credibility among clients.
Daniel’s subsequent vector version of the logo, inspired by the St. Petersburg elephant, removed the diamond and enhanced the image’s contrast, aligning it with contemporary web design trends. This iteration, showcased on pgsql.com, became the recognizable elephant emblem we know today.
As the name Slonik gained traction, it took on a life of its own within the community. When Jan Wieck was developing a logical replication system for PostgreSQL, he encountered the file slonik.gif and inquired about its meaning. This led to the creation of the Slony-I replication system, further embedding the name into the PostgreSQL lexicon.
However, the logo’s journey was not without challenges. In 2004, a controversy arose when PHP unveiled a logo that bore a striking resemblance to the blue elephant. The community faced a pivotal decision: to defend their symbol or relinquish it. Thanks to the advocacy of Josh Berkus, who articulated the elephant’s significance as a representation of reliability and memory, the community chose to retain the logo.
During this period, the postgresql.org website underwent its own redesign, culminating in the launch of a revamped site in late 2004, featuring the stylized elephant designed by Daniel Lundin as the official logo.
The Logo’s Final Legal Chapter
For years, Slonik stood as the emblem of PostgreSQL, yet the origins of its design remained somewhat murky. To clarify the legal status of the logo, Oleg Bartunov approached Dmitry to formally transfer the rights to the community. Given that the logo was a product of individual creativity rather than a corporate initiative, the transfer was straightforward.
Dmitry humorously remarked on the process, suggesting that if one is asked to undertake an unusual task, it should be approached with seriousness and care. In March 2025, he officially transferred the rights to the Slonik design to the PostgreSQL community under a Creative Commons license, solidifying its place in the annals of open-source history.
Today, the PostgreSQL wiki proudly states that the Slonik logo is a copyrighted design, marking the culmination of a journey that began with a simple idea and evolved into a symbol recognized worldwide.
Slonik Forever
This narrative encapsulates the essence of the PostgreSQL logo — a story woven through the threads of literature, design, and community collaboration. As we gaze upon the blue elephant, we are reminded that it represents more than just a logo; it embodies a rich history, rooted in the creativity and passion of those who contributed to its creation.
