The Coat of Arms of Calheiros stands with five shells of Santiago and three stars. The shells of Santiago were a powerful symbol in the Middle Ages both of faith and military might, and are a display of the strong link of the family and the region. The three stars represent heavenly guidance towards Santiago but also a symbol of military power.
The shells are displayed in four corner shells and a central one towards which all the coat of arms converges. Legend says that this central shell signifies the strong energy of the Calheiros Estate towards which the world converges. In a way we can rightly say it is so, given the many visitors that the Manor has received from all around the world.
Paço de Calheiros is mentioned in the famous work Codice Calixtino from the author Candido Passos, as one of the important stops on the way to Santiago.
It is a modern version of the 12th century manuscript that book walks through ancient symbology and spirituality of the Caminho covering the main routes, and where Paço de Calheiros stands has one the places with strong spiritual energy.
The old Portuguese Way can be traced from Porto to Barcelos, to Ponte do Lima, then Valença where it enters Spain, through the city of Tui.