painted on the walls of a Neolithic cave above Vélez Castle . . .

is the figure of a man holding a rainbow in outstretched arms: the Indalo

Archaeologists and anthropologists believe it represents primitive man's search for wisdom and truth in the universe. Others say it is a reference to the book of Genesis with God promising that the world will not be destroyed by water (In Deus means "According to God" in Latin and some imply "Messenger of God"). A third interpretation says that the symbol is man receiving the Lord's grace - reaching up to the Holy Spirit so he can ascend to Heaven. The rainbow is the bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds, and legend foretells of a time when the "Rainbow Warrior" will lead the world to freedom. In 1924, the ancient cave painting was declared a National Historical Monument, and now a site of UNESCO World Heritage.

Internationally, the Indalo is a symbol of good luck - and especially in Almería and in the small village pueblo of Mojácar - sometimes called the "Village of Witches" because of its supposed flirtation with faith-healing, spells, and magic brews.

As for Vélez, from where the original Indalo came . . . white with snow in winter, dry and barren in summer . . .

look up from the castle, in the direction of the Sierra Nevada, as eagles and other birds of prey circle above, and spy a little cave high on the hill . . .