Jochen Shalom and Greetings from Jerusalem!
Anyone who has delved into Late Roman mythology knows the lizard came to symbolise death and resurrection since it was thought to sleep throughout the winter and come miraculously to life in the Spring.
Closer to your subject, in Christian ideology the lizard is a more ambivalent symbol. All reptiles can be viewed as less frightening versions of the potent symbol represented by the snake or serpent-the opposition. However, the lizard is also said to represent "contemplative ecstasy". This is thought to arise from the fondness of these creatures for basking motionless in the sun for hours on end. St. Gregory observed that the lizard might symbolise "the soul that humbly seeks enlightenment" and that is what I hope many are seeking on the Camino.
Yellow is easy, Walking the Camino is easy, you wake up in the morning and follow your shadow, in the afternoon you walk into thesetting sun – a nice pagan interpretation either that or someone got tired of painting arrows.
In my Jewish tradition, the lizard is a dangerous reptile, one who is bitten by a lizard may die depending upon who reaches water first, the man or the lizard; if the man, the lizard dies; if the lizard why the man is a goner. Perhaps this is all just a hint towards Fistera but perhaps that is a bit far fetched since we Jewish pilgrims to Saint James are a rare breed and many not aware of this tradition.
"Out of Zion shall go forth..."
S.
