Legend has it that the Indalo was a ghost that could hold and carry a rainbow in his hands (thus the arch over the head of the man). The Indalo has been adopted as the official symbol of the province of Almería, Spain.[2] The Indalo symbol is used as a lucky charm in the Almería region also. To carry the charm is only beneficial if it has been presented as a gift.
A story believed by some to be behind the symbol of the Indalo man, is that of a man taking shelter in a cave from the rain; when the rain stops, out comes a rainbow, and when the man walks away from the wall of the cave, the image is left there.