There are several symbols associated with the pilgrimage along the Camino de Santiago. The best known of them is the scallop shell.
Following the death and resurrection of Jesus, the apostles began to spread the gospel and convert others to Christianity. As part of his mission, James travelled to the area that is now known as Spain to preach to pagans in the area. Sadly, on his return to Jerusalem he was beheaded by King Herod for blasphemy. James’ headless body was brought by boat to Galicia in northwest Spain to be laid to rest by his followers. According to the legend, as the boat containing his body approached the coast, a knight on horseback was walking the cliffs above the Atlantic. Upon seeing the boat, the horse bolted and plummeted into the sea with the knight. St James is said to have miraculously intervened and saved the knight, still on horseback, who emerged covered in scallop shells.
In the past, pilgrimages were long and dangerous journeys undertaken as an act of penance and religious devotion. The pilgrimage started at the pilgrim’s home and continued by foot until they reached Santiago. Once they returned home, pilgrims presented the scallop shell as proof they completed the pilgrimage, since the shells are indigenous to the Galician coast. It has been the identifying symbol of pilgrims for hundreds of years.
On the scallop shell hanging on the backpack of the pilgrim above, you can see another symbol of the Camino, the Cross of St. James. It was originally the symbol of a military order of knights formed in the year 1171, to protect pilgrims who were visiting St. James's shrine. They also built and staffed hospitals on the roads leading to Compostela to take care of suffering pilgrims. Over the centuries since, It has become another symbol of the Camino and the pilgrims who walk it. Savanna and I will pick up our scallop shells in St. Jean when we obtain our Credentials (pilgrims passport).
I was asked the other day if we were taking a compass or GPS so we will not get lost. The pilgrim path that Savanna and I are walking will be marked by the most common symbol of the Camino: The Yellow Arrow.
The painted yellow arrows indicate the path of the Camino and always point the way to Santiago. They come in all shapes and sizes. Some are nice and neatly painted like in the picture above. Others are just roughly painted on whatever surface was handy.
No matter where they are located, they are the pilgrims best friend and help keep them on the right path.
These symbols have been part of the Way of St. James for hundreds of years. Millions of pilgrims have been guided and inspired by them. They are all part of the experience and magic of the pilgrimage and we are looking forward to following in the footsteps of millions of pilgrims that have walked the same ground for over 1000 years.
