The University of Tsukuba?s "five-and-three paulownia" crest derives from the emblem adopted by Tokyo Higher Normal School students in 1903 for their school badge, which was inherited by the Tokyo University of Education in 1949. Later, in 1974, the University Council officially approved the crest as the school insignia of the University of Tsukuba. The "five-and-three paulownia" design is based on a traditional Japanese motif, but brings a unique variation to the classic style: the University of Tsukuba crest is different because only the outline of the flowers is depicted. The color of the crest is CLASSIC PURPLE, the official color of the University of Tsukuba.