What is the mystery behind the name "Canon"

Canon initially began as Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory in 1933. When the company began manufacturing cameras on a trial basis, it named them “Kwanon”, which was the name of the Buddist Goddess of Mercy. The name “embodied the Company's vision of creating the best cameras in the world.”

In 1936, two years after the birth of the Kwanon and following much trial and error, Canon launched the Hansa Canon, its first commercial 35mm focal-plane-shutter camera, thus embarking on the Company's history as a camera manufacturer.

What is the meaning of the Logo

This title reflected the benevolence of Kwanon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy, and embodied the Company's vision of creating the best cameras in the world. The logo included the word with an image of "Kwanon with 1,000 Arms" and flames.