What is the symbol for Madrid?

The official symbol of Madrid is a bear and a strawberry tree (madroño) climbing its branches. The origin of the symbol dates back to the 12th century, when King Alfonso VIII of Castile was hunting in the area of Madrid. He had a vision of a bear eating the fruit of a strawberry tree and took it as a sign that the city would be a place of plenty. The bear and strawberry tree have since been used as the symbols of Madrid, and they can be seen on the city's coat of arms and flag.