Answer:
That's a great question Jenny, even I learned something researching this one for you. The Mazda logo has undergone some big changes over the years.
The first symbol, or corporate mark, looked like a small 'm' within a circle, and was created in 1959. It was seen on most Mazda cars from the Mazda R360 in 1960 until 1975.
Between 1975 and 1991 Mazda did not have an official symbol, we simply used a stylized version of 'Mazda' as a badge, almost as it's seen today in our current logo. The previous little 'm' symbol was still used in some dealerships up until the 1980s.
In 1991, Mazda adopted a corporate symbol which looked like a diamond within a circle. This was to represent a sun and a flame standing for heartfelt passion.
A year later we introduced a new design, one that was altered slightly with more curves, as to distinguish the brand's symbol from Renault's.
The current symbol you see now was introduced in 1997. The stylized "M" is meant to show Mazda stretching its wings for the future, and as a brand we are all about the emotion of motion.
So there you have it, the evolution of the Mazda symbol as you see it today.