Santa Compaña
Encyclopedia
The Santa Compaña is probably one of the most deep-rooted myth
ical beliefs in rural Galicia, and also in Asturias
, where it is called Güestia. It is also known under the names of "Estadea", "Estantiga'" (estantigua in Spanish, from Latin hostis antiquus, confounding the meaning of "ancient enemy", a euphemism for the Devil, and "host", a military troop), "Rolda", "As da nuite" [The Night Ones], "Pantalla", "Avisóns", "Pantaruxada"... all of these are terms that show us the presence of the dead in the world of the living.
Many different versions of the "Santa Compaña" can be found in any bibliography, and that is probably why it is so difficult to define it with precision. However, there are a number of features mentioned by all authors: a procession of the dead
or souls in torment wander the path of a parish at midnight. A living person carrying a cross
and a cauldron of holy water
leads the procession followed by all the souls with lit candles, although not always seen, the smell of wax and the breeze which appears when they pass warn of their presence. The person carrying the cross must never turn around or renounce his duty in leading the Santa Compaña; he can only be freed from his duty if he manages to find another person to carry the cross and the cauldron. To avoid this obligation the person who sees the Santa Compaña pass by must draw a circle on the ground and enter it, or he can also lie face-down. Other ways to evade Santa Compaña is to tie a black cat
in the middle of Santa Compaña and run away from it, or realize diverse symbols with both hands as a horn gesture
(extending the index and little fingers and to contract the rest of fingers) or the fig sign (which consists of closing the fist and putting the thumb between the index and middle fingers). The person leading the procession can be a man or a woman—this all depends on whether the patron saint
of the parish is male or female. To conclude, the Santa Compaña is an announcer of death, its one mission is to visit the homes where death is due.
It may be related to Odin
's Wild Hunt
, or the Breton Celtic westward processions of the dead to the End of the World. It is equivalent to the Irish Banshee
and Breton Ankou
.
Mythology
The term mythology can refer either to the study of myths, or to a body or collection of myths. As examples, comparative mythology is the study of connections between myths from different cultures, whereas Greek mythology is the body of myths from ancient Greece...
ical beliefs in rural Galicia, and also in Asturias
Asturias
The Principality of Asturias is an autonomous community of the Kingdom of Spain, coextensive with the former Kingdom of Asturias in the Middle Ages...
, where it is called Güestia. It is also known under the names of "Estadea", "Estantiga'" (estantigua in Spanish, from Latin hostis antiquus, confounding the meaning of "ancient enemy", a euphemism for the Devil, and "host", a military troop), "Rolda", "As da nuite" [The Night Ones], "Pantalla", "Avisóns", "Pantaruxada"... all of these are terms that show us the presence of the dead in the world of the living.
Many different versions of the "Santa Compaña" can be found in any bibliography, and that is probably why it is so difficult to define it with precision. However, there are a number of features mentioned by all authors: a procession of the dead
Procession of the dead
They are various myths of processions of the dead, most related to the Wild Hunt. In Galicia and Asturias, it is known as Santa Compaña. The Benandanti in the Friuli participated to such processions.In Hawaii, there are the Nightmarchers....
or souls in torment wander the path of a parish at midnight. A living person carrying a cross
Christian cross
The Christian cross, seen as a representation of the instrument of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, is the best-known religious symbol of Christianity...
and a cauldron of holy water
Holy water
Holy water is water that, in Catholicism, Anglicanism, Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutheranism, Oriental Orthodoxy, and some other churches, has been sanctified by a priest for the purpose of baptism, the blessing of persons, places, and objects; or as a means of repelling evil.The use for baptism and...
leads the procession followed by all the souls with lit candles, although not always seen, the smell of wax and the breeze which appears when they pass warn of their presence. The person carrying the cross must never turn around or renounce his duty in leading the Santa Compaña; he can only be freed from his duty if he manages to find another person to carry the cross and the cauldron. To avoid this obligation the person who sees the Santa Compaña pass by must draw a circle on the ground and enter it, or he can also lie face-down. Other ways to evade Santa Compaña is to tie a black cat
Black cat
A black cat is a feline with black fur. It is not a particular breed of cat and may be mixed or of a specific breed. The Bombay, known for its sleek black fur, is an example of a black cat. The all-black pigmentation is equally prevalent in both male and female cats...
in the middle of Santa Compaña and run away from it, or realize diverse symbols with both hands as a horn gesture
Corna
The sign of the horns is a hand gesture with a variety of meanings and uses in various cultures. It is formed by extending the index and little fingers while holding the middle and ring fingers down with the thumb.-Superstition:...
(extending the index and little fingers and to contract the rest of fingers) or the fig sign (which consists of closing the fist and putting the thumb between the index and middle fingers). The person leading the procession can be a man or a woman—this all depends on whether the patron saint
Patron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of the parish is male or female. To conclude, the Santa Compaña is an announcer of death, its one mission is to visit the homes where death is due.
It may be related to Odin
Odin
Odin is a major god in Norse mythology and the ruler of Asgard. Homologous with the Anglo-Saxon "Wōden" and the Old High German "Wotan", the name is descended from Proto-Germanic "*Wodanaz" or "*Wōđanaz"....
's Wild Hunt
Wild Hunt
The Wild Hunt is an ancient folk myth prevalent across Northern, Western and Central Europe. The fundamental premise in all instances is the same: a phantasmal, spectral group of huntsmen with the accoutrements of hunting, horses, hounds, etc., in mad pursuit across the skies or along the ground,...
, or the Breton Celtic westward processions of the dead to the End of the World. It is equivalent to the Irish Banshee
Banshee
The banshee , from the Irish bean sí is a feminine spirit in Irish mythology, usually seen as an omen of death and a messenger from the Otherworld....
and Breton Ankou
Ankou
Ankou is a personification of death in Breton mythology as well as in Cornish and Norman French folklore.Ankou is also known as "Aräwn".-Background:This character is reported by Anatole Le Braz, writer and legends collector of the 19th century...
.