The Symbol of the Scallop Shell

#1 The association of the scallop shell with the pilgrimage is related to its use by pilgrims to drink water from springs and streams.

#2 Its popularization as a symbol of the Camino came after the settlement of some merchants around the cathedral of Santiago in the Middle Ages. They sold the Vieiras that they took from the Galician sea as a souvenir to the pilgrims.

#3 The Concha of Santiago can be traced back to when the disciple visited the Spanish peninsula by boat. This was in order to bury the remains of St James. Unfortunately, a storm destroyed the ship After some time, St James’s body was found undamaged and covered in scallop shells along the seashore.

#4 On their arrival at the Galician coast, the disciples saw a wedding that was taking place on the shore. The bride was on horseback, suddenly the frightened horse dove into the ocean with the bride still on the saddle. Thankfully, both the bride and the horse emerged from the water safe and sound covered in scallop shells.

#5 There is another version that associates the scallop shell with Venus, the goddess of love. As Venus’s symbol signifies people’s rebirth, the resurrection. This means overcoming the ego to move forward to a true self, more humble and simple. It also means the beginnings and endings, transition and transformation. All ideas shared by pilgrims and discovered on the Camino today, a constant source of renewal and rediscovery.

Venus rose from the sea on a scallop shell. Botticelli’s painting “The Birth of Venus”, depicts this scene. In addition, the scallop shell is associated with fertility rituals practised along the route

The Scallop shell as a Healing Tool

The scallop shell is associated with one of the 23 miracles performed by St James. When St James cured a knight who suffered from a throat disease by putting a scallop on the affected area, word spread and people started to put scallops near their beds, hanging them on the outside door, putting it near animals drinking places.

Some medieval texts give the shell the virtue of chasing rodents from fields or purifying water and wine.

The Scallop shell is not only associated with the St James Way. In the XII century, they were reportedly sold in Mont St Michel in France. Emperor Charles IV received Scallops as a present from the French king when he was passing by Paris on his pilgrimage.

In French, the scallop is called Coquille Saint Jacques and in German Jakobsmuscheln (James mussels).Okumaya devam et