The Republic crest served as the basis for the altered Imperial crest.
Representing the Galactic Empire, the Imperial crest, also referenced as the Imperial insignia, Imperial logo, or Imperial Army crest, was a symbol that featured six spokes. This sigil, an adjusted form of the Galactic Republic's eight-spoked roundel, was widely displayed by the Empire on various items, for example military uniforms, starships, flags, and propaganda posters.
The insignia's spoked form was often compared to the appearance of a gear.
John Mollo, the costume designer for both Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope and Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back, created the Imperial insignia. Mollo stated that he drew inspiration from the shapes seen in 18th-century fortifications when designing the Imperial insignia, as revealed in the Q&A section of Star Wars Insider magazine's ninety-eighth issue.