Standard bearer of the Contrada of Oca (Goose), Siena, Italy. At birth you become a member of one of the 17 Contrade (Districts) and your life revolves around your Contrada. Each contrada is named after an animal or symbol with individual (and complicated!) heraldic and semi-mythological associations and devices. The contrade race against each other in the famous horse race the 'Palio' around the tight (and dangerous) streets of the city.