8 Most Interesting Spanish Symbols
Are you looking for the most interesting Spanish symbols?
Spain is one of the most popular countries in the world. With its over 8,000 beaches, it is a huge favorite among beach lovers. The country is also mountainous, having the second most mountains in Europe after Switzerland.
Spain doesn’t run short in the gastronomy department either, boasting the heavenly paella, tapas, and Jamón Ibérico, among so many others.
With so many exciting things Spanish, one must not forget Spain’s diverse history and rich culture – and these are seen in the symbols that represent such things.
Numerous Spanish symbols form part of the traditional culture in this very interesting and breathtakingly beautiful Southern European country. Each of them has a historical significance and/or symbolic meaning, all represent the Spanish identity.
Read on if you want to learn about the most interesting symbols of Spain in the following list.
8 Most Interesting Spanish Symbols
Here’s a look at 8 of the most interesting symbols of Spain.
1. Rojigualda (Flag of Spain)
The country has some interesting facts about its colorful national flag.
Officially Bandera de España as defined in the Constitution of 1978, the flag is popularly called by its nickname “la Rojigualda,” which means”red-weld” – after its middle stripe which was called gualda in the olden times.
Rojigualdais also used as the state and naval ensign of Spain. This colorful flag reflects the culture and spirit of the nation as well as its history.
The flag symbolizes national pride among the Spaniards as well as the country’s rich and diverse history.
The current Spanish national flag consists of three horizontal stripes in the colors red, yellow (or gold), and red respectively.
The flag bears the basic shields of the old Spanish kingdoms, the crown to honor the role of the Spanish monarchy in the modern state, and the Pillars of Hercules which represents Spain’s official motto “Plvs Vltra” (English: “Further beyond”).
This motto originates in Greek mythology, where the Pillars indicate the limit of the physical world.
However, the most unique part of the flag of Spain is probably its colors. Most if not all national flags around the world do have symbolic meanings represented by colors featured on them.
Spain is different. Red and gold are just colors and they do not mean anything.
2. The Marcha Real
Here’s another interesting symbol of Spain. Their national anthem, The Marcha Real or the “Royal March” is exactly just that – a march. It has no lyics, although in the past it did but they are no longer used.
The Marcha Real is one of just four national anthems in the world without official lyrics. The three others are those of San Marino, Koso, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
3. Burgundian Saltire (Cross of Burgundy)
The Burgundian saltire, otherwise known as the Cross of Burgundy, is the jagged X-shaped cross symbol on a white field used by the Spanish as one of the country’s banners since 1516.
As the rough lines of the cross show, the Burgundian saltire symbolizes the rough branches of the trees on which the patron saint of Burgundy, Saint Andrew, was crucified.
He is also deemed the patron saint of the Spanish Infantry, although this is disputed, since the official patron (or patroness, in this case) is said to be Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
The Cross of Burgundy was introduced in Spain as the personal badge of the Duke of Burgundy and King Consort of Castile and Aragon, Felipe I, aka Felipe el Hermoso (“Philip the Fair”).
4. Flamenco
The flamenco is a Spanish dance that is now regarded as a symbol of the country’s identity.
Inspired by the Andalusian gypsy culture, the unique flamenco dance evokes and communicates not only love, passion, and joy but also sadness, despair, and many more.
As a popular icon of Spanish culture, the flamenco attracts visitors from all over the world to the cities of Spain.
5. Oso Madroño / El Oso y El Madroño (The Bear and the Strawberry Tree)
El oso y el madroño, or “the bear and the strawberry tree,” is a famous statue found in Puerta del Sol in the Spanish capital. It is one of the most widely recognized Spanish symbols.
So, why the bear and tree?
Well, Madrid’s original name is believed to be Ursa, which is Latin for “bear.” The reason why the symbol exists is that Madrid used to be frequented by many bears inhabiting the nearby forest where there were plenty of “madroño” trees that bear fruits closely resembling strawberries.
The statue of the Bear and the Strawberry Tree is very significant for Madrileños because it is their city’s official symbol.
6. Osborne Bull
The Osborne bull is among the most iconic symbols of Spain.
Called El Toro de Osborne in Spanish, the Osborne bull is a black silhouette depicting a semi-profile figure of a bull. Throughout much of Spain, you will see this image on gigantic billboards installed along roadways and on hilltops.
In ancient times, this powerful beast symbolized power and fertility, spawning traditions that would later evolve into famous events like bullfighting and the running of the bulls in Spain.
However, the Osborne bull is not ancient at all. Far from it.
Conceived as an advertising vehicle in 1956, the Osborne bull is actually a symbol to represent a brand of brandy in Spain – Brandy de Jerez. It has given the Osborne company remarkable recognition around the world and eventually became enmeshed in the cultural and national identity of Spain.
Today the Osborne bull it is considered an unofficial national emblem of Spain. They are now part of the country’s cultural and artistic heritage.
7. Catalan Donkey
If you want to know the most curious symbol in Spain, it must be the Catalan donkey.
The Catalan Donkey is Catalonia’s answer to the Osborne Bull.
The Catalan Donkey symbol is relatively new. Created only in 2003, when two friends by the name of Jaume Sala and Àlex Ferreiro conceived the idea for the Catalan donkey car sticker, as a satirical reaction to the Osborne bull.
Donkeys are from Catalonia and many Catalonians could associate themselves with the animal due to its hard-working, stubborn, and quietly intelligent traits, as well as its ability to endure hardship.
The Catalan donkey symbol is rather controversial, however, with some people opposing the idea because they believe this animal is an epitome of stupidity and hence a weak symbol.
Nonetheless, the symbol thrived and continues to do so, becoming a part of the Catalan culture.
8. Concha de Santiago (Camino Scallop Shell)
As the most widely recognized and iconic symbol associated with the Camino de Santiago, the scallop shell is given by clergymen to pilgrims upon completion of their pilgrimage.
The Camino scallop shell or Concha de Santiago has accompanied pilgrims on their way to Santiago since ancient times. They were used for drinking water from streams and springs during the pilgrimage. This type of shell is fairly abundant in the Galicia area.
The Concha de Santiago has also been regarded as a universal symbol for Camino de Santiago since the death of St. James himself.
While traveling the waters to the Spanish peninsula to bury St. James’ remains, a storm destroyed the ship and when the saint’s body was found along the seashore, it was not damaged and covered in scallop shells instead.
The significance and tradition of carrying the Camino scallop shell on the Camino are still very much alive today.
