NO8DO

Where ever you are at in Sevilla chances are you will find this symbol on something within a minute or two. NO8DO is the official motto of Sevilla. It is on the bike racks, busses, sewer drains, buildings, monuments, public service cars, etc. 

The motto is made using the Spanish syllables (NO and DO) and in between a figure 8. The figure 8 represents a skein of yarn, or in Spanish, a “madeja.” When read aloud, “No madeja do” sounds like “No me ha dejado,” which means “It [Seville] has not abandoned me.”

Skein of Yarn

The story as to how NO8DO become the city motto is after the “Reconquest” of Seville from the Muslims in 1248, King Fernando III, El Santo, King of Castilla and León moved his court to the former Muslim palace, the Alcázar of Seville.

After San Fernando’s death in the Real Alcázar, his son, Alfonso X, “The Wise,” assumed the throne. Alfonso X was a scholar king, hence his title. He was a poet, astronomer, astrologer, musician and linguist. Alfonso’s son, Sancho IV of Castile, tried to steal the throne from his father, but the people of Seville remained loyal to their scholar king and this is where NO8DO was believed to have originated when, according to legend, Alfonso X rewarded the fidelity of the “Sevillanos” with the words that now appear on the official emblem of the city of Seville.

It is crazy how many places you will find this motto. I heard it is also on the tomb of Christopher Columbus. Net time i go to the Cathedral I will look to see if I can find it.