The Rolling Stones Stencils on the Berlin Wall – And the One That Became a Symbol

The western side of the Berlin Wall was a rotating canvas for political art, band logos, and protest slogans. Among the most repeated motifs was a simple red stencil of the Rolling Stones’ tongue and lips – known as “Stones stenciling.” It wasn’t just graffiti; it was a quiet act of defiance. While East German authorities tried to keep the wall clean, West Berliners and tourists who stenciled the Stones logo were claiming that side of the wall as a free space.

The most famous single image