Dragon on Halfway Compestella

[Graham Skinner]

Hi, just picked up my halfway Compestella in Sahagun. Can anyone enlighten me the reason for the dragon on the certificate?

 

[henrythedog]

Hi, just picked up my halfway Compestella in Sahagun. Can anyone enlighten me the reason for the dragon on the certificate?

I’ve always assumed the conversation went something like this (but in Spanish)

Sahagun tourism team: we’ve got this great idea for a souvenir - but we want it to look like an ancient tradition

Hermanos Perez (marketing consultants): just stick a big dragon on top. That’ll be €10,000, gracias.

 

[henrythedog]

I’ve always assumed the conversation went something like this (but in Spanish)

Sahagun tourism team: we’ve got this great idea for a souvenir - but we want it to look like an ancient tradition

Hermanos Perez (marketing consultants): just stick a big dragon on top. That’ll be €10,000, gracias.

Copywrite @Rick of Rick and Peg it translates into something like this:

Let all know seeing this Pilgrim Certificate that [name] has passed through the Leonese lands of Sahagun, geographical center of the Camino Frances, where, as reported in the Codex Calixtinus, "... prodigous in all types of goods, one encounters the meadow, of which they say that in days gone by, the shining lances that the victorious warriors had thurst into the ground for the glory of the Lord came to life again." and it further attests that he has found rest for the fatigues of the body and relief for the spirit.

The inhabitants of this noble town give him encouragement to continue his camino and to arrive with safe passage at the house of the Lord Saint James, where we hope he retains a memory of the reception we have given him.

And for a record that can be presented before whoever demands it I sign this in Sahagun, on the [day] of [month] of the year of our Lord [year]

The Mayor.
[name]
Jacobean Pilgrims' Association Region of Sahagun
- Leon -
Pilgrim Certificate [number]

 

[Rebekah Scott]

It's just a decoration. It doesn't have to mean anything, any more than that certificate means anything.
I have lived within a few miles of Sahagun for many years, and have never seen a dragon, nor have I heard tell of there ever being one in the neighborhood.

 

[El Cascayal]

I have lived within a few miles of Sahagun for many years, and have never seen a dragon, nor have I heard tell of there ever being one in the neighborhood.

So, none of Reina Lupa’s dragons hightailed it to Moratino? No dragon sculptures like the Dinasours on the Inglés? I love dragons!

 

[Kathor1]

Hi, just picked up my halfway Compestella in Sahagun. Can anyone enlighten me the reason for the dragon on the certificate?

Hi @Graham Skinner, it is just a decorative element, like those that you can find on the borders of the pages of medieval manuscripts. See example below where the fantasy creature on the bottom margin on the left is very similar to the one on your halfway certificate.

(Click to enlarge)