Hello sister/brother,
SL said:
why? wouldn't it be simply like a logo?
It is ok to use logo and symbols but not make it anything religious.
how would it involve shirk?
I'm not good at explaining, perhaps some examples may help.
eg.1: In the sub-continent I've come across some people making supplications with prayer beads in their hands. They say prayer beads helps their supplication to be heard by Allah. Allah hears them whether they have prayer beads in their hand or not, but they have invented a false practice something that goes against the guidelines in Quran and sunnah. Not a good example of making symbols but I think it comes close.
eg.2: Another sub-continent example, I've seen people praying in front of Hand of Fatima (
see). They believe it has special powers, wards of evil, helps in their supplication to Allah. Fatima is the daughter of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) so probably started by revere of Fatima or probably adopted from Jewish practice.
eg.3: At one place I saw a whole room painted in green, the owner of the room told me, this room has special baraka since the room is green. More angels visit a green room he said.
I think I don't have to explain where I'm going with this, but making religious symbols are disliked in Islam because they have the potential to become intermediaries (which is in a way setting up partners with Allah), and in extreme cases they can turn into objects of worship.