the yoke and the bundle of arrows or the yoke and arrows (el yugo y el haz de flechas or el yugo y las flechas) is a badge from the times of the spanish monarchy of ferdinand ii and isabella. it represents the unity of the spanish monarchy and state, and it also promotes the "heroic virtues of the [spanish] race". the "y" in "yugo" stands for "ysabel", as in another spelling of queen isabella; and the "f" in "flechas" stands for the first letter in king fernando's name.