Door knockers were an icon of status, wealth and occupation in the Spanish Colonial society of Cartagena de Indias, a tradition carried from Spain into many of their New World colonies. The size of the door knocker and the number of door buttons reflected the prominence of the owner of the house. This oversize octopus suggests ownership by a very wealthy member of the upper class in this small town by the sea. The subject of the knocker would indicate occupation. A door with a fish, a sea creature, a god of the ocean or an anchor belonged to a merchant of the sea.
Lion heads were mounted on the doors of military officials or the clergy. Many church doors show lions albeit those a bit less fierce. A saying arose in Cartagena de Indias, “A tal casa tal aldaba,” to each house its door knocker.
Lizard knockers marked the owner as a member of the Royal Family.
The individualistic knockers were made by expert forgers at the special request of the home’s owner. Today the descendants of those forgers are still working. Jesus Alcevado Pombo in the Getsemeni neighborhood says that when he began requests were for the more traditional symbols. Today’s designs are more individualistic, less about the owner’s wealth and social position and more about personalization and creativity.
A Note: In preparation for our trip I read “Love In The Time of Cholera” by Garbriel Garcia Marquez. Marquez has a close association with Cartagena and chose to set his novel here in the late 19th century. In it Fernando, a poor man, has an unrequited love for Feminina, a girl whose father is prominent and wealthy. Forbidden to talk to her, he sits in the “Plaza of the Scribes” opposite her front door writing her love letters in the hope of seeing her. The novel mentions the parrot doorknocker on Feminina’s door. We went in search of the plaza and the parrot. And we found it!
MedFlies 
Hey there, just love those door knockers and how cool to find the parrot. I really like the Lizards! xo
It was very satisfying to find it. We did find a hand which represents the clergy. It was in a plaza laid out on a blanket and for sale with a group of other knockers. There was also a great crab. No lizards though.
That parrot was a prize find!
Such a satisfying quest to find what you are looking for…
Great theme. Great photos. As always—thanks for sharing your adventures.
So glad you shared it. Finding the parrot knocker on the small, tree-filled Plaza Fernandez de Madrid was a bit of joy.