Murciélago

In Valencia this weekend I kept on seeing this symbol: a bat located on top of a crown. It was in the Mercado, on the sidewalks, and on some of the street’s banners. As I researched, I learned that the bat was a symbol to represent the Crown of Aragon’s presence in towns across Valencia, Catalonia, and Balearic Islands. It is believed to have begun as a ‘winged dragon’ or swallow that appeared over the helmet to represent James I (who reigned from 1208-1276) and Peter IV of Aragon (his reign was from 1319-1387).  The reason for its importance in Valencia is that it is believed that before the battle in which James I of Aragon rid the city of Moors, a bat landed on his helmet and provided his army with good luck.

Even now the bat is placed all over the city, as it is on the city’s coat of arms, and is also in the futbol team’s logo. 

Valencian Coat of Arms 

Valencia C.F. Logo