The Jacobean Scallop Shell
The scallop shell has become a true symbol of the Camino de Santiago and an emblem for the pilgrim. However, few people know the origin and history of the Jacobean shell.
In Santiago Ways, who are lovers of the Camino de Santiago, we have been investigating everything related to the pilgrim’s shell. In this article we tell you why it is said that the scallop of the Camino de Santiago is the emblem of the pilgrimage route, the various existing theories about how the use of the pilgrim’s shell became popular and some other curiosities that you probably didn’t know.
The scallop shell: the icon of the Way of St. James
The scallop that many pilgrims carry hanging from their backpacks is not only a souvenir of the trip, the Jacobean shell is, without a doubt, the most universal and representative icon of the Camino de Santiago. A symbol that, without the need for words, speaks of the Jacobean tradition.
The shell as a sign of the routes of the Way of St. James
Proof of this is that the scallop shell is the symbol officially used to mark the routes of the Camino de Santiago. It can be seen on the cairns of all the routes of the Camino de Santiago.
Sometimes it is printed in yellow on pieces of blue tile, but it is also possible to see the famous shell made of bronze and embedded in the ground of the cities that the Camino de Santiago crosses. Although less common, you can also find them painted on the stones.
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Many times, the scallop shell that marks the routes is accompanied by the famous yellow arrows that indicate the direction of the road. These have also become, over time, an icon of the Camino de Santiago. Although the tradition of the yellow arrows is not as old as that of the pilgrim’s shell.
However, the shell that marks the Jacobean routes speaks for itself and does not require an arrow to indicate the direction. That is why in many sections of the Camino de Santiago you will find only the shell.
To decipher the direction that the shell is indicating it is necessary to take into consideration whether you have already entered the community of Galicia or not. For the Galicians, the closed part of the shell symbolizes Santiago de Compostela and for them, all the Jacobean routes start from there. That is why, only in the Galician community, it will be the open part of the shell that indicates the direction of the route.
In the rest of the communities, the reading is the opposite. For example, in the neighboring community of Asturias, the direction of the route is indicated by the closed part of the shell. This is because, according to them, all roads lead to Santiago.
Scallops in monumental architecture
Not only the shell appears in the signage of the routes of the Camino de Santiago, but it is also present in much of the monumental architecture of the Jacobean towns. When passing through the towns that cross the Jacobean routes, it is common to find buildings, fountains or sculptures with the pilgrim’s shell.
In addition, it is common to find the scallop shell as a decorative element in many hermitages and churches, whether they have Santiago el Mayor as their patron saint or not. Some examples of this are the hermitage of San Sebastián, in Riego de Ambrós (stage 24 of the Camino Frances) or the Church of the Virgen de la Peregrina in Pontevedra, whose plant is shaped like a shell (stage 25 of the Central Portuguese Way).
The use of the shell by pilgrims
In the Middle Ages, the routes of the Camino de Santiago were not marked with yellow arrows and scallop shells, as they are today. However, the origin of this Jacobean icon dates back to the early years of the Camino de Santiago.
Shortly after the pilgrimage to Compostela began to become popular among the pilgrims of the Middle Ages, they began to carry with them the famous shell of the Camino de Santiago, hence it is also known as the pilgrim’s shell. The thing is that with the passage of time, and even more with the recovery of the Jacobean routes in the twentieth century, the pilgrim’s shell became the symbol of the Camino de Santiago.
Even today, pilgrims still carry the scallop shell with them. However, there are certain differences between the use of the Jacobean scallop shell by pilgrims in the Middle Ages and today.
For example, in the Middle Ages, the Camino de Santiago was a round trip. The pilgrim’s shell was only carried by those who made the return trip.
This was so because, for many years, the commercialization of the Jacobean shell was only allowed in Santiago de Compostela. Its sale outside the Galician capital was punishable by excommunication from the Catholic Church.
Nowadays, few pilgrims make the Camino de Santiago round trip. Therefore, most of them acquire the scallop shell during the first stages of the Camino de Santiago.
Another difference in the use made of the shell by the pilgrims of the Middle Ages and today’s pilgrims is the place where they hung it. In the past, pilgrims generally wore it hanging from their hats or cloaks. Nowadays, it is more common for pilgrims to place the scallop in their backpacks.
The origin of the pilgrim’s shell
At this point, the inevitable question is: why did pilgrims in the Middle Ages begin to use scallop shells when they walked the Camino de Santiago? There is no single answer to this question. Some attribute its use to practical matters, while others claim that behind the use of the pilgrim’s shell lies a whole symbolism.
Chances are that all the answers have some truth to them. What will never be known is which came first, the utility or the symbolism. Here are some of the theories surrounding the origin of the Camino de Santiago scallop shell.
Utilitarian theories about the shell of the Way of St. James
Within the utilitarian theories that explain the use of the pilgrim’s shell, we can differentiate two types. Some are those that point to an everyday use of the shells by the pilgrims and others are those that point out that the scallops were used as a distinctive and differentiating element among the Christians of the time.
The scallop as a utensil
Many scholars of the Jacobean tradition indicate that the use of scallop shells became popular among pilgrims because they used them as drinking cups from fountains, rivers and streams. There are also those who point out that they used them as spoons.
The pilgrim shell as a souvenir
Within the group of utilitarian theories, we could also include those who defend that at that time it was very common to find, in Compostela, dishes made with scallops. According to these theorists, the pilgrims, upon arriving in Santiago, tasted this shellfish and took the scallop as a souvenir, since the shell was very attractive to them.
Here could also be framed those who defend that the shell of the Camino de Santiago was a ruse of the merchants of the Middle Ages. These, taking advantage of the popularization of the pilgrimage to Santiago, settled around the Cathedral and promoted the use of the scallop shell as a souvenir of the Camino.
Scallop shell as accreditation
The above theories may have been valid during the initial centuries of the Jacobean tradition. But, what is certain is that the Codex Calixtinus, which is one of the first books documenting the Camino de Santiago and which was written in the 12th century, states that the pilgrims of the time were given a parchment and a scallop shell when they arrived in Compostela.
Both elements served to accredit their feat so that no one would doubt their personal merits and their stay in Santiago Compostela. Since the document was carried in the bag, on the way back, pilgrims placed the scallop in a visible place. In this way, they distinguished themselves from those pilgrims who had not yet paid homage to the apostle.
In fact, the use of the Jacobean scallop as an identifying element transcended the pilgrim’s own life. Thus, throughout Europe, numerous tombs have been found in which the famous Compostelan scallops were found inside.
It is believed that pilgrims in the Middle Ages were buried with the shell of the Camino de Santiago to identify themselves in the afterlife as pilgrims. In this way, they demonstrated, after life, that they had received absolute forgiveness in Compostela and trusted that Santiago el Mayor would intercede for them in the next world.
Symbolic theories of the pilgrim’s shell
Regardless of whether the Jacobean shell was used as a utensil or if it was just a souvenir, the scallop must have acquired a special meaning and symbolism, so that it became an element of accreditation of the pilgrim, first, and an icon of the Camino de Santiago, later. Here are some of the symbolic theories that explain the use of the scallop shell in the Jacobean tradition.
Legends and miracles about the Jacobean scallop
Many of the legends related to the pilgrim’s shell are collected in the Codex Calixtinus. In fact, the manuscript refers on several occasions to the importance of the scallop shell on the Camino de Santiago.
The origin of the pilgrim’s shell: the marriage
The first reference to the shell of the Camino de Santiago is related to the transfer of the remains of the apostle Santiago to Galicia. According to legend, when the boat carrying the lifeless body of St. James the Greater reached the Galician coast, a miraculous event took place.
The two disciples who accompanied the body of the apostle saw that a wedding was taking place on the beach. At that time the bridegroom and the guests were playing a game, mounted on horseback, which consisted of throwing a spear and catching it before it fell to the ground.
When it was the groom’s turn, his horse bolted and they both sank into the water. Both the guests and the two disciples were perplexed when seconds later, horse and rider reappeared next to the boat carrying the remains of the apostle.
When Santiago’s disciples approached the young man to bring him to the shore, they were surprised to see that his whole body was covered with scallop shells. At that instant, everyone understood that Santiago the Greater had worked a miracle.
Not only because it saved the young groom from drowning and covered his body with scallops, but also because both he and the wedding guests converted to Christianity. That is why many place in this legend the origin of the Jacobean scallop shell.
The healing powers of the shell of the Way of St. James
Another of the miracles recorded in the Codex Calixtinus about the pilgrim’s shell occurred in 1106, in Apulia. According to the manuscript, a knight’s throat was swollen and no doctor was able to find a remedy to alleviate it.
The desperate gentleman said that if perhaps a pilgrim touched his throat with the Jacobean shell, his pain would subside. A neighbor of his who had made the pilgrimage to Compostela went to his house and touched his throat with the Camino de Santiago scallop. Then the gentleman was healed and began his pilgrimage to the tomb of the apostle, to give thanks.
Religious interpretations of the scallop of the Way of St. James
From the point of view of Christianity, the shell of the Camino de Santiago was associated with good deeds. At this point, the Codex Calixtinus also states that close to Santiago grew shellfish, similar to the oyster, which were defended with two shells that seemed to be carved with the fingers of the hand.
The manuscript notes that these shells, which the pilgrims took home with great joy, symbolized the divine commands: to love God and neighbor. Thus, it was believed that as long as the pilgrim carried the Camino de Santiago shell with him, he was obliged to submit to the Lord’s wishes.
In fact, the importance of the Camino de Santiago is such in the Catholic Church and the religious interpretations of the pilgrim’s shell are so valid that Benedict XVI included the Jacobean scallop in the papal coat of arms. All of which has contributed to reinforce the religious meaning attributed to the shell of Santiago de Compostela.
Pagan interpretations of the Jacobean shell
We must not forget that the motivations for the Camino de Santiago are very diverse and have not always been religious. That is why the scallop shell of the Camino de Santiago has also been attributed meanings that have nothing to do with the Christian religion.
At this point, it is worth remembering that during the Middle Ages, the The road from Santiago to Finisterrewhich is not officially a Jacobean route, was traveled by many pilgrims of the time. Beyond Santiago de Compostela was located the end of the world and many took advantage of their pilgrimage to the tomb of the apostle to continue to the land where the sun died.
As we told you in the article we dedicated to the history of the Camino de Santiago Finisterre, this was a pagan pilgrimage. And there, on the Costa da Morte, was precisely where the pilgrim shell grew.
The webbed foot of the goose
One of the theories that has nothing to do with the Catholic Church is that the pilgrim’s shell symbolizes the goose’s foot. In many ancient traditions, the webbed leg of the goose was the symbol representing initiation rituals.
The association with the goddess Venus
There are also authors who point out that the scallop shell is related to Venus, the goddess of love and fertility, in Roman mythology. In fact, in Sandro Botticelli’s famous painting, The Birth of Venus and Spring, the goddess is depicted on a scallop shell, as a symbol of fertility.
This theory gains strength if we analyze the etymological origin of the word scallop. This comes from the Galician word vieira, which comes from the Latin veneria (sea shell) or venera, both concepts related to the goddess Venus.
Although the figures are different, both theories coincide in associating the pilgrim’s shell with the idea of rebirth. A sensation that people experience when they walk the Camino de Santiago.
At this point, it is worth remembering, once again, that at Cape Finisterre many pilgrim rituals associated with the rebirth of the person are recorded. Therefore, it is not surprising that pagan theories are strongly related to the influence that the Route to the End of the World had on medieval pilgrims.
Curiosities about the shell of the Way of St. James
Throughout the research we carried out to elaborate this article about the pilgrim’s shell, we found some curiosities about the scallop of the Camino de Santiago. We don’t want to say goodbye without sharing them with you. Did you know that…
- …shells were so important during the Middle Ages that pilgrims were called concheiros or cuncheiros?
- …the scientific name of the scallop is “Pecten Maximus” because it is the largest scallop?
- …a similar mollusk growsin the Mediterranean Sea and is called “Pecten Jacobaeus“Curious, isn’t it?
With these last curiosities about the shell of the Camino de Santiago we close this post. If you liked the article, please share it with your friends on Facebook.
And, of course, if you know other theories about the origin and uses of the scallop that pilgrims carry, or any other curiosity about the Jacobean shell, we would love you to share it with us and with all the Camino de Santiago lovers who read us every day. Leave us a comment!
Finally, just to remind you that if you plan to do the Camino de Santiago and you would like to have the support of a specialized agency to help you organize the trip, do not hesitate to contact us. As you can see in this monographic about the Jacobean shell, in Santiago Ways we put a lot of passion in everything we do.
Buen Camino!
