IDIC The Vulcan IDIC is an acronym for Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations , the basis of Vulcan philosophy , celebrating the vast array of variables in the universe . In the Vulcan language , the term for IDIC is " Kol - Ut - Shan " . ( ) When referring to the symbol in the English language , it , it was pronounced " " ih - dihk " " . ( ) IDIC symbols were in use at least as early as the 4th century AD , as one appeared on Surak ' s katric ark . According to Syrran , the symbol represented Surak ' s enlightenment atop Mount Seleya . ( ) In 2154 , T ' Les smuggled a holographic map to her daughter T ' Pol inside an IDIC medallion pendant . ( ) On January 22 , 2155 , T ' Pol hung the same medallion on the side of an incubator containing her baby daughter , Elizabeth . Following the child ' s death , T ' Pol was holding the medallion close to her in her quarters when the baby ' s father , Charles Tucker III , arrived . Moments later , they held hands over the medallion . ( ) Michael Burnham and other graduates of the Vulcan Science Academy each wore an IDIC badge on their graduation day on . ( ) On formal occasions , Spock wore his IDIC medallion ( in pin form ) as part of his dress uniform . During a dinner function aboard the " Enterprise " , Dr . Miranda Jones had noticed Spock ' s Vulcan IDIC pin on his dress uniform . She inquired if it was to serve as a reminder to Jones that , as a Vulcan , Spock could mind - link with the Medusan s far better than she could . Spock noted , on the contrary , that he donned it to honor Dr . Jones and her achievements . ( ) In 2269 , James T . Kirk reminded a giant clone of Spock of the concept , asking him whether an army of Spocks could defy this concept by attempting to impose peace and Phylosian philosophy on others . ( ) The Vulcan ship " T ' Vran " had IDIC emblems on the back wall of the bridge . ( ) Vulcan IDIC pins were considered collectible merchandise in the retail markets of the 24th century , not easily acquired in the Bajor sector . In late 2370 , Quark listed Vulcan IDIC pins as plausible items that he could sell over the monitors on board of Deep Space 9 if given permission by Commander Benjamin Sisko . As well as IDIC pins , other collectibles Quark listed that he could sell at a significant discount included Andorian jewelry and Bolian crystalsteel . ( ) The Logicians , an all - Vulcan baseball team formed from members of the crew of the , featured the Vulcan IDIC on their ball caps . ( ) Background information . The invention of the IDIC by Gene Roddenberry caused friction between him and Leonard Nimoy , who saw it as a cheap ploy to sell replica merchandise to fans . ( " I Am Spock " ) Regardless of its original introduction intent , the symbol , first introduced in , was designed by William Ware Theiss . Michael and Denise Okuda have credited Roddenberry himself with designing the symbol , though Theiss ' design sketches as published in " " and " The Art of Star Trek " seem to contradict this . ( text commentary ; ENT Season 4 DVD & Blu - ray ; ) In the IDIC seen from the 4th century , the triangle portion is perfectly vertical and elongated , in contrast to the angle it is displayed at in the 22nd century forward . In the Vulcan ' ship from , the cockpit appears to form an IDIC with the chair , the controls , and the circular window . The IDIC as a design motif is continued in the ' video game , where it forms the shape of every Vulcan airlock . A wall decoration displayed in the Vulcan High Command in and was sold in the It ' s A Wrap ! auctions . The image , resembling a vertical IDIC , had the auction description " the panels form an image of the sun rising over Mount Seleya " . The " Encyclopedia " ( 4th ed . , vol . 1 , p . 357 ) stated the IDIC emblem had come to be used as a Vulcan national symbol .