I learned recently that Subaru is the Japanese name for the Pleiades, the cluster of stars in the constellation Taurus. (That explains the stars on the logo.)

 

Here is a photo of the Pleiades.

 

For more information, see http://www.ras.ucalgary.ca/~gibson/pleiades/

Yep, except I don't see how the stars are supposed to be portrayed in the emblem/logo since Alcyone is obviously brightest.

 

Also, Subaru used six stars for the partners/companies involved yet that star cluster is well-known as the Seven Sisters.

 

I made my own Subaru version of the Pleiades from a picture by adding an extra large, very bright, star.

 

Curious thing I found out recently is that, although I thought Subaru to be a Japanese-only name, there was a family in France with that name. A girl that became Saint Bernadette in the mid-19th century because of a "healing spring" she was told of after having a 'vision' there.

http://www.mult-sclerosis.org/news/Jan2002/LourdesManwMSCuredWasItAMiracle.html

Well, now I've also seen it spelled Soubirous so maybe Subaru was a sounds-like spelling for that.

Yep, except I don't see how the stars are supposed to be portrayed in the emblem/logo since Alcyone is obviously brightest.

the old symbol looks more like the constellation.

yep it does

 

this is a closeup of my 76's emblem that is on Subie Gal's site (sorry for not asking first Jamie hope it's alright)