The present-day narrative of Catalan nationalism emphasises its liberal and progressive nature, in opposition to a dictatorial and backwards Spain. Characteristic for this liberalism is, among other things, the strong presence of feminism in Catalan institutions and civil society. The narrative of Catalonia as a liberal space par excellence has historical roots reaching back to the end of the 19th century, when Catalans also portrayed themselves as liberal and Spain as despotic. They infused this liberalism with notions of rationality and masculinity. We examine the tension between the historically masculine nature of Catalan national symbols and the present-day attempt to frame Catalonia as feminist. Tracing how gendered ideas of Catalonia entered its national symbols, we can explain present-day backlash against a feminist intervention in these symbols, using Catalonia’s national anthem as a case study. We conclude that liberalism in Catalonia is interpellated with masculinity, limiting its future project as feminist.