Why Does Seville have a Skein of Yarn in its Flag?

On a visit to Seville, Spain, a few years ago, I couldn’t help but notice banners fluttering from the lamp posts that featured what was  - unmistakably – a skein of yarn. 

 I pointed it out to my husband, a Spanish speaker, and asked him to explain it to me.  Maybe there was a knitting festival in town? (Hope springs eternal). He shrugged his shoulders – it was a mystery to him. 

This symbol was found on many signs around the city, from taxis and buses to sewer covers.

In the course of our vacation we made our way to the City Hall and there was an elaborate coat of arms and logo there:

There was a plaque telling the story behind this intriguing symbol. Legend says that it originates from the 13th-century coat of arms awarded to Sevilla by King Alfonso X the Wise. He bestowed it in gratitude for Seville´s support in his battles against his son, Sancho IV of Castile, who wanted to usurp his father´s throne during the Reconquest. 

Between the "NO" and "DO" is a skein of wool (“madeja” is Spanish for “skein”). Add the three together, speaking in Seville´s characteristic accent, and you have “no-madeja-do”; more correctly, “no me ha dejado” which means “She (the city of Seville) has not abandoned me”.  

The motto was his reward to the people of Seville for their loyalty. 

So cool, right?


See you next time!