When you visit our island, you’ll notice signs and symbols of Mallorca that might seem unfamiliar. They’re part of our DNA, our history, and our culture—something only a true Mallorcan would fully understand… until now!

At ROIG, we want you to dive deeper into our culture. That’s why we’ve put together this article, where we’ll uncover the meanings behind the stone crosses, the ceramic tiles with names on façades, and the green shutters that adorn so many houses.

We’ll explain why these symbols are essential to understanding the Mallorcan spirit. Let’s begin!

The most curious signs and symbols you’ll find in Mallorca

Among Mallorca’s streets, historic buildings, and hidden corners lie signs and symbols that tell tales of surprising legends, mysteries of the past, and unique traditions.

If you enjoy discovering the essence of a place through its quirks, here are some symbols you simply can’t miss on your visit to the island.

The snail and the dragon

The façade of Palma’s Town Hall hides a secret very few travellers know. Look closely and you’ll spot a snail and a dragon carved into the stone.

Legend has it that these were the work of builders Jaume Caragol and Francesc Dragó, who, annoyed that the regent failed to recognise their efforts, decided to leave their mark as an act of revenge.

Since then, the snail and the dragon have become a challenge for the most observant visitors: are you ready to find them? Without doubt, it’s one of the best things to do in Mallorca to soak up its most popular traditions.

The Drac de Na Coca

In the 17th century, the people of Palma lived in fear of a dragon said to be hiding in the city’s labyrinth of sewers. One night, knight Bartomeu Coch confronted the creature, defeated it, and offered its body to his beloved as a symbol of bravery and eternal love.

Today, the mummified remains of the Drac de Na Coca can be seen at Palma’s Diocesan Museum. What’s more, on summer nights, guided tours recount this and other legends, giving the city’s streets a mysterious air.

The cistern of vengeance

Opposite number 12 on Carrer de la Concepció stands the Sepulcre Fountain, a 10th-century Arab cistern that supplied water to the population for centuries. But this spot also hides one of the city’s murkiest stories.

It is said that in the 15th century, Barthomeu Cantarelles threw his brother-in-law into the waters of the cistern so that his wife could inherit his property. The crime was uncovered, and the murderer was hanged in 1459, his body left on public display as punishment. Today, the fountain remains discreetly in place, carrying a past marked by tragedy.

The Portopí lighthouse

Palma Bay is guarded by the Portopí lighthouse, one of the oldest in Spain still in operation. Since the 14th century, it has witnessed the island’s maritime history, guiding ships safely to its shores.

Beyond its role as a beacon, the lighthouse houses a permanent exhibition on maritime signals, where you can discover how navigation technology has evolved through the centuries. A must-see for lovers of the sea and history.

A wake with a twist at Santa Clara convent

On Carrer de Fonollar stands the portal of the church of the Santa Clara convent, a place brimming with spirituality and surprising tales.

One such story tells how, in the 13th century, during the wake of a lady who was to be buried with a valuable ring, one of the guards attempted to steal the jewel. 

Unable to pull it from her finger, he bit it… and suddenly, the woman awoke. The supposed funeral turned into an unexpected return to life, leaving one of the most striking legends still circulating within the convent walls.

What the ceramic tiles with names on façades mean

In places like Valldemossa, Deià, Sóller, or Fornalutx, it’s almost impossible to walk around without noticing them: small ceramic tiles embedded in façades, bearing names and often religious images.

These pieces, known as rajoles de nom or ceramic plaques, were the traditional way of identifying a home long before house numbering became common.

• Many include the name of a saint or Virgin, seeking divine protection for the household.
• Others show hand-painted religious scenes of great artistic value.
• Some have become true collectors’ items thanks to their age and craftsmanship.

Although they now coexist with modern house numbers, they remain a symbol of tradition and a way of keeping heritage alive.

The roadside cross: the monument that marks village limits

Driving around the island also means coming across roadside crosses, carved in stone at the entrances and exits of many towns. These monuments carried several meanings:

• They marked municipal boundaries, showing travellers when they were entering or leaving an area.
• They had a religious role, serving as places of prayer or protection for those on the road.
• They symbolised hospitality, welcoming outsiders as they arrived in the village.

Some of these crosses date back to the Middle Ages and are finely carved with intricate detail. If you travel through towns such as Artà, Santanyí, or Inca, you’re very likely to come across one.

With our car hire in Mallorca, you can visit these crosses as you drive through the villages where they stand, enjoying comfortable, high-end, and brand-new vehicles. If you’d rather not drive, you can opt for our taxi service in Mallorca or chauffeur-driven cars and leave the driving to us.

Mallorcan green shutters: more than just aesthetics

Another of Mallorca’s most eye-catching signs and symbols is its shutters. Instantly recognisable by their horizontal slats and characteristic green colour, they’ve become part of the island’s traditional look.

Although today they form part of Mallorca’s signature look, their origin is purely practical:

• The slats regulate the entry of light and air, keeping homes cool during the hot summer months.
• Their design protects against the sun without blocking ventilation, something essential in a Mediterranean climate.
• The green colour, besides blending in with the landscape, is more resistant to sun damage and sea salt humidity.

That’s why in towns such as Alcúdia, Pollença, or Andratx, almost every house keeps this tradition. Beyond their functionality, they’re a symbol of identity, linking Mallorcan architecture with its natural surroundings.

Symbols in churches and hermitages: from the Sun and Moon to ‘IHS’

Mallorca boasts a rich religious heritage, with churches, convents, and hermitages that stand out not only for their architecture but also for the symbols hidden in their façades and altars.

• The Sun and the Moon are very common figures in churches, appearing in reliefs and stained glass. They represent the duality between light and darkness, day and night, the eternal and the fleeting.
• The initials “IHS” are inscribed on doors, altars, and crosses. They come from Greek and are an abbreviation of the name of Jesus. This symbol became especially widespread from the 16th century onwards thanks to the Jesuit order.
• You’ll also notice noble coats of arms, shells, and plant motifs, which not only carry religious meaning but also reflect the influence of prominent families who funded the construction.

Mallorca’s spectacle of the Eight

Twice a year—on 2 February, the feast of the Virgin of Candlemas, and on 11 November, St. Martin’s Day—Mallorca is treated to an extraordinary spectacle at dawn.

The sun shines through the cathedral’s main rose window, composed of 1,116 pieces of coloured glass, casting its reflection onto the opposite wall, just below the other great rose window on the main façade.

For about five minutes, perfect geometry aligns both rosettes—one real, the other made of light—creating a radiant figure-eight inside the cathedral. It’s a rare occurrence that attracts hundreds of visitors each year. An experience not to be missed!

Mystery solved: why some houses have shell and fish plaques

When strolling through Mallorcan villages, especially in coastal areas, you may notice small plaques shaped like shells, fish, or other marine motifs on façades.

These elements have their origin in ancient traditions:

• In many cases, they were symbols of protection against the evil eye and misfortune. The sea—so central to Mallorcan life—was associated with abundance, fertility, and good luck.
• They also acted as a kind of family “mark,” a way of identifying homes at a time when house numbers were not yet officially used.
• Some shells and fish are linked to Christian iconography, as symbols of baptism and faith.

Coats of arms and emblems on old doorways: a history book in stone

Walking through the streets of Palma or towns such as Alcúdia, Pollença, or Artà is full of traces of the island’s history. Just look up at the old doorways and you’ll find coats of arms, emblems, and stone carvings that reveal who once lived there and what role that family played in Mallorcan society.

These symbols were far more than decoration:

• Heraldic shields: indicated the lineage and prestige of noble or influential families.
• Professional emblems: in some cases, carvings depicted the family’s trade, such as tools, ships, or agricultural motifs.
• Inscriptions and dates: recorded the construction or renovation of the house, becoming genuine “signatures” of the past.

Discover our car hire in Mallorca

As you’ve seen, Mallorca is an island full of symbols, legends, and details that you’ll only uncover if you explore it freely. And with ROIG’s car hire offers in Mallorca, you can tour the island at your own pace, stop at the most authentic spots, and experience Mallorca to the fullest.

Book your car hire in Mallorca and set off on your own route to the island’s best-kept secrets. You’ll love them!