Indalo Man . . the Rainbow Warrior – one of Spain’s magical spell symbols and ideal good luck present
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. . and in particular, INDALO JEWELLERY like pendant charms, necklaces, bracelets and earrings.
The Indalo is a good luck symbol and, like other lucky symbols or gemstones featured in our good luck gifts shop, it is used extensively as a lucky charm, amulet or talisman in many parts of the world . . especially in Spain – being part of the history and Spanish culture of Almería, Andalucía, Spain. It is integral to the way of life of this part of Spain and is a common souvenir of the area.
Indalo jewellery like necklaces, bracelets and earrings makes an ideal present to wish good luck for lots of events like a new job, or a relocation, for example, someone travelling on a journey or going away to university, etc, and for lots of different people, whether that person is a man or woman, a friend, a relative or a loved-one, a mum or dad, husband or wife, daughter or your son – or simply a colleague at work. Spanish ceramics featuring the Indalo symbol are likewise a common site in the Almeria part of Andalucia and make the perfect housewarming gift, or special present for someone’s special event: Guests at a wedding, for example, or the bride / groom; or for an engagement, or a friend in retirement, someone moving to a new home, the arrival of a new baby (or a baby shower), for a friend or loved-one starting a new job or going travelling, or even for a party.
Some say the Indalo possesses magic powers of protection and good luck. Why?
Here is a brief summary about the so-called Rainbow Warrior or Indalo Man of Mojacar, Almeria, Spain or indeed, the world:
The ancient cave paintings of the Indalo Man were discovered in Almeria, southern Spain, in the late 19th Century, but they date back 4,500 years. The paintings show sketchy figures of a man holding what is believed to be a rainbow in outstretched arms – although not dissimilar to many such paintings found in various places around the world. Archaeologists and anthropologists believe they represent the search by primitive man for wisdom and truth in the universe – although some say the paintings show men reaching up to the Holy Spirit to receive the Lord’s grace. But this symbolic ‘rainbow warrior’ shape is quite extensive:
For the native Indian tribes of North America, the rainbow was one of the most powerful qualities of the Great Spirit of creation and the Indalo Rainbow Man or Rainbow Warrior figure is often represented in sacred paintings and drawings by the Zuni, Hopi, and Navajo. Legends of these ancient tribes, as well as the Cree and the Sioux, foretell when the Great Spirit will once again rise up and the Rainbow Warrior will lead the world to freedom.
However, one thing is certain, the so-called Indalo figure is the symbol of the whole region of Almería and you can see the lucky symbol wherever you go – on houses, businesses, cars / lorries etc, and on all sorts of jewellery like necklace pendants, bracelets and earrings – especially in the local souvenir shops. Even today, in the small village pueblos that lie hidden behind the giant sierras that roll down to the Mediterranean shores, the Indalo is well-known for its good luck qualities. It is unclear whether the origin of the actual word Indalo is San Indalecio – a 1st Century saint who was sent by Rome to evangelize the Iberian Peninsular (Indalecio was a common local name), or the phrase ‘Indal Eccius’ which means ‘Messenger of the Gods’ in old Iberian, or even perhaps ‘In Deus’ which means ‘According to God’ in Latin. Either way, the Indalo symbol is considered by many in the area as a sort guardian (a bit like a St. Christopher , or a St James Cross worn by many on the Camion de Santiago) . . not only as a magic symbol of good luck and protection but also representing Man’s ethereal connection with the spirits and the universe.
In Spain . . . the Indalo caves near Vera in Almeria, were declared a National Historical Monument in 1924 – and are now a site of UNESCO World Heritage and a part of local Spanish culture.
Although originally ‘from’ the caves of Velez Blanco, the Indalo Man has become a recognised symbol of the provincial capital of Almería in eastern Andalucía, Spain – and is very much part of the local culture and heritage – taking over from the old Sun Symbol, and making a typical souvenir of the region. However, to many, its adopted ‘home’ is a small village pueblo called Mojácar, in the southeast corner of Spain, and you can see the lucky symbol wherever you go – like a guardian angel representing to many, the patron saint of Almería, Saint Indalecio, whom some say originated the Indalo name. St. Indalecio, is venerated as the patron saint of the region. In 1084, emissaries of Sancho Ramírez, King of Aragon and Navarre, moved the relics of “Indaletius” to San Juan de la Peña near Jaca in the north of Spain, and some of these relics still rest in an urn under the main altar of the cathedral of Jaca. Thanks to the efforts of Bishop Rosendo Álvarez Gastón some relics were returned to Almeria and placed under the altar of the Cathedral of the Incarnatio (as well as and at the Conciliar Seminary of San Indalecio de Almería). Saint Indalecio’s feast day is May 15, when a solemn procession moves through the city.
For some time, Mojácar (in Almeria province), with its winding streets and the warm waters of the Mediterranean lapping at its beach front resort, has been a centre of the Indalo. In the past, some people of the town were allegedly involved in faith-healing, and the casting magic spells, as well as other quirky goings-on, and little Indalos were sometimes present in these rituals and spells – one presumes to offer its powers of protection and to help people (and businesses) to avoid bad luck. But even today, it is vehemently believed that a lucky Indalo will bring good luck and prosperity, and it makes a great souvenir.
The Indalo / Rainbow Man has great spiritual appeal too – whether it be religious / Christian, or of a more mystical nature. Indeed, it is unclear whether the origin of the word Indalo itself relates to “Indal Eccius” (meaning Messenger of God in ancient Iberian) or to the Saint, San Indalecio, sent by Rome to evangalise the Iberian peninsular in the first century AD, who was subsequently martyred just north of Almeria city. Either way, hundreds of thousands of people put their faith in this little Warrior of the Rainbow, the Indalo Man, as a guardian angel, linking them to the “other world” and protecting them from evil and bringing them good fortune.
The different designs of the lucky Indalo symbol on this website, engender many sentiments including good fortune, prosperity, protection, friendship, health, happiness, and love. According to a BBC survey, most of us still crave a sense of the spiritual in terms of love, values, beauty and meaning and, although many of us have let go of religion, per se, we still hold on to the vaguer notion of spirituality as a way of feeling ‘connected’ to a dimension that is beyond the physical body.
The Lucky Indalo makes the perfect gift for a new home or for a friend or relative who is about to set off travelling because it is reputed to offer protection. But in reality, it is suitable for a multitude of presents that pass on good luck wishes, for example for an interview, an exam, travelling, a new start in life, or even for anniversaries and retirement gifts. “Luck is believing” said Tennessee Williams and many, many people worldwide believe in the Indalo.
You could also gift Indalos for a special occasion or event – such as pendants / necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and other Indalo jewellery, as well Indalo charms, statues, figurines, pottery / ceramics, wall hangings and tiles. NB: All of these are also available in our CENTRAL (Group) SHOP : For example: * Indalo gifts for Luck in the New Home * Indalo gifts for Protection while Travelling * Indalo gifts for an Interview or in our online Indalo Gifts SHOP as here:
