A back-lit vehicle emblem is disclosed, that provides an emblem body having a front side facing away from the vehicle and exhibiting the emblem and having a rear side facing toward the vehicle. The body is shaped to provide at least a partial housing for mounting at least one LED. A space between the body and the vehicle when the body is mounted upon the vehicle is provided. At least one LED is mounted in the at least partial housing and oriented to transmit light through the space between the body and the vehicle so that light illuminates one or more contours of the body.