That red-and-yellow target on some cars has a military history dating back more than two centuries.
If you've been driving for a while, you've probably noticed that some motorists display symbols on the back of their cars. There are plenty of different badges and decals out there, but one particular design stands out: a red-and-yellow target that can easily catch your eye.
If you don't know what the symbol represents, its history goes back to Spain's military past. What looks like a simple target is actually the Spanish territorial cockade, a symbol closely associated with the military.
The symbol dates back to the Spanish War of Independence against France, which took place from 1808 to 1814. Spanish soldiers heading into battle wore the distinctive emblem as they went to the front.
Today, when the same target appears on a car, it serves as a way for the driver to express national unity and patriotism. The symbol has also retained an important role in aviation, where it is used to identify the nationality of aircraft operating in airspace, particularly military aircraft.