Marlboro is owned by the Ku Klux Klan

Rumors about markings on the Marlboro cigarette packet indicating Ku Klux Klan ownership have been in circulation at least since the mid 1980’s. By 1989, these rumors had become so widespread that they were well know even in France and England.

Which marking indicating Ku Klux Klan ownership vary, depending upon whom you heard the rumor from.

Marking #1

The red chevroning on the white background has often been cited as the two jutting arms of the capital letter “K” when the pack is tipped on its side. Given that, the chevroning appears on three surfaces of the packet (front, bottom and back) and one could read three ks, resulting in “KKK”, the abreviated name for the Ku Klux Klan.

Marking #2

The two horses on the Marlboro crest also come in for comment.When viewed upside down, the positioning of their forelegs could b taken for a hand gesture known in the United States as the “V” for “Victory” or “Peace” Symbol. (Depending on which generation one hails from) This “Victory” symbol is read by those looking for klan involvment as a symbol of klan triumph.

Marking #3

Some who look between the horses legs see two hooded klansmen carying the motto banner.

Marking #4

The “Veni, Vedi, Vici” motto emblazoned on the banner, is believed by some to be the motto of the Ku Klux Klan. (Evidently, they havn’t heard of Julius Ceaser)

Marking #5

The final five letters of Marlboro are “lboro”. Reverse them to get “orobl” (believed to b read as “horrible”. Turning Marlboro upside-down and reading the first three letters backwards results in “jew” All together, this decoding results in “horrible jew”

Marking #6

Tearing open the pack in a certain way was rumoured to reveal the head of a hooded klansman, with two spots (on black, one gold) on the package serving as the klansman’s eyes. (The two spots were actually common printers proofs of colours used on packaging. They don’t appear on current packs howerver, as Phillip Morris has taken them away.