The Bear and the Strawberry Tree

The bear, the tree
Wendy and Jamie.

What does the national symbol of Madrid, which has a bear, a strawberry tree and seven stars surrounding it means? Somehow the national symbol of Madrid, makes the Capital of Spain feel like a really lovely, friendly, simply a pure and simple city to live in. Yet it has a more profound meaning to it. The stretching bear on its hind legs for fruits on the trees, actually symbolizes the resiliency and strength of the industry of Madrileños.

Originally, Madrid was actually named URSA, which means “bear” in Latin. There were various forests in Madrid where bears populated. In these forests there were trees that gives delicious fruit that looked like strawberries, hence they are called “strawberries trees or strawberries bush” (Madroño in Spanish).