Scallop Shells and the Camino

St-Jean

The scallop shell - which is native to the coast of Galicia - and the Camino have been linked for centuries.  Often taken home by medieval pilgrims as a souvenier - and proof - of their journey, there is a mythical story linking the shell with the St James legend.  It is said that while St James' body was being transported to Spain a storm blew up and the body was lost overboard.  However, it miraculously appeared washed up on the shore some time later, undamaged but covered in, and protected by, scallop shells.  

Metaphorically the bands of the scallop shell, all converging on one point, are said to represent the various directions from which pilgrims come to arrive at one point: the shrine of St James. The shape of the shell is also said to represent the setting sun, an important daily event for any long distance traveller, and something every pilgrim would see ahead of them each day as they headed west towards Santiago de Compostela and the direction of the sunset. Medieval travellers would attach a shell to their cloak or hat as a symbol of their pilgrimage but, more practically, these scallop shells provided a useful and lightweight scoop for water or a small bowl for food for a travelling pilgrim. Churches and other establishments where sustenance was offered to pilgrims would also use a scallop shell as a unit of measure for the food they provided.

The historical link between scallop and Camino is acknowledged today with yellow scallop shell symbols used as markers along the length of the route in the open countryside while brass scallop shell markers are set in pavements to guide you through some of the larger towns. And while nowadays nobody has a need to use a shell as a scoop or a bowl you will still see many modern ‘pilgrims’ with a scallop shell attached to their rucksack as a symbol of the purpose behind the journey they are undertaking.