What Is the Animal Symbol of Madrid?

By Alice Nichols

Madrid, the capital city of Spain, is known for its rich culture, history, and tradition. It is a city that is home to various symbols and emblems that represent its identity. One of the most prominent emblems of Madrid is its animal symbol.

The animal symbol of Madrid is the bear. The bear has been an emblem of Madrid since ancient times and it has been used in various ways to represent the city. The bear can be seen on the coat of arms of Madrid as well as in many other places around the city.

The bear represents strength, power, and resilience which are all qualities that are associated with Madrid. The bear also represents nature and wildlife which are important aspects of the city’s culture.

The story behind the use of the bear as an emblem of Madrid dates back to the medieval times when a group of hunters came across a female bear who was nursing her cubs near a river in what is now known as Casa de Campo. The hunters were so impressed by the strength and ferocity of the bear that they decided to use it as their emblem.

Over time, this emblem became associated with Madrid and it was adopted by the city as its official animal symbol. Today, you can see many statues and sculptures of bears around the city including in Puerta del Sol where there is a statue called ‘El Oso y El Madroño’ which means ‘The Bear and The Strawberry Tree’.

In addition to being an important symbol for Madrid, the bear also plays an important role in promoting conservation efforts for wildlife in Spain. Spain has a rich diversity of wildlife including brown bears which are found in some areas such as Asturias mountains.

In conclusion, the animal symbol of Madrid is a representation of strength, power, resilience, nature, and wildlife. The use of this emblem dates back to medieval times when hunters were impressed by a female bear’s strength. Today, bears continue to be an important symbol for Madrid and their conservation is a vital aspect of Spain’s wildlife protection efforts.