Someone just filled up a gap in my knowledge through responding to one of my questions about INSEAD's mascot.

Remember that I said that for the first two years of its short existence, INSEAD took quarters in the beautiful chateau of Fontainebleau. Well, I am told that the Salamander was the insignia of the French King Francois I and is all over the walls of the palace. INSEAD then adopted it as its logo.

So not only did I learn that INSEAD logo is of royal origin but also that the school is somewhat associated with one of the most prestigious Kings of its host country (INSEAD has no country of its own), symbol of its artistic Renaissance movement.

Thank you very much for your help!