Following the frantic Capdanser comes the figure that gives narrative and philosophical meaning to the entire event: the Verges Procession Standard-Bearer.
Unlike the leader who leaps and spins, this skeleton stands out for its solemnity. Positioned at the exact center of the Dance tableau, the Standard-Bearer does not perform complex choreography. Its mission is far more transcendent: it is the silent herald, tasked with displaying the final judgment that governs the festival.
The Black Flag and the Meaning of “Time is Short”
If the Capdanser carries the tool (the scythe), the Standard-Bearer carries the word. It proudly holds a large black flag, a symbol of mourning and darkness, featuring a white skull and two crossed shinbones. But what truly captures everyone’s attention is the inscription in Old Catalan surrounding the skull: “Lo Temps és Breu” (Time is Short).
The Flag: A Two-Sided Message
The Standard-Bearer holds a large black banner with a skull and crossed shinbones. The most crucial detail is that the flag “speaks” in two different languages, one on each side:
- “Lo Temps és Breu” (Old Catalan): Reminding us of life’s fleeting nature (Tempus Fugit).
- “Nemini Parco” (Latin): Repeating the Capdanser’s sentence, “I spare no one.”
Thanks to the flag’s movement, spectators on both sides of the street can read the two sentences alternately. It is a call to seize the day while we can, before the Clock strikes the final hour.
The Movement: A 180-Degree Oscillation
Unlike the Capdanser’s full spin, the Standard-Bearer performs a pendulum-like movement:
- Half-Turn (180º): With each beat, it makes a half-turn, alternating left and right.
- The Visual Effect: On one beat it faces one side of the street, and on the next, it faces the other. This constant sway allows the flag to wave rhythmically, visible to the entire audience.
- Technical Role: Positioned in the middle, it serves as a visual reference for the Plates (flanking it) to maintain the correct distance.
Symbolism
The flag’s black color symbolizes darkness and mourning. Its central position tells us that death is the common axis of humanity: kings or peasants, we all revolve around this final destiny.
Costume and Role of the Verges Procession Standard-Bearer
Like the rest of the group, the Standard-Bearer wears the traditional black jumpsuit with hand-painted bones in ash-white and a mask that covers its face, ensuring anonymity.
Its position is the axis of the Dance: it walks alone in the center, flanked by the two smaller skeletons that follow (the Plates), creating a perfect triangular formation as it moves down the street.
A Magical Moment on Snail Street
Seeing the black flag appear at the end of the narrow Snail Street, illuminated only by the dim light of the Torches, is one of the most photographic and emotional moments of Holy Week in Verges.
🎟️ Want to see the message live? Buy your tickets for the Verges Procession here.
Who Accompanies the Standard-Bearer?
Flanking the flag are two smaller skeletons carrying the ashes of life. 👉 Meet The Plates.
