St. James & the Scallop Shell.
As the ship passed the shore, the horse got spooked and bolted into the ocean with the bride still strapped into the saddle.Due to its shape, the shell was used to scoop food and water as this was easily carried along the trail.There is evidence of early pilgrimages to Santiago from all over Europe. Many pilgrims carry a shell, or wear a shell ornament, as they travel the route.
The scallop shell or Vieira’s scientific name is Pecten Jacobaeus, which is further proof of the significance of the Camino in Galicia.
It compiles five books of all the liturgical texts (Masses, homilies, sermons), Jacobean traditions, the 22 most famous miracles of Santiago and remembrances of the Way of pilgrimage made in France and Spain to reach Santiago between the X and XII centuries. Some medievaltexts give the shell the virtue of chasing rodents from fields or purifying waterand wine.Although itis true that the scallop shell is one of the most representative symbols of theCamino de Santiago, it is not the only one.
It can be used as a container to drink water from the springs and streams along the way, and also to drink from the wine fountain at Irache, just outside the town of Estella on the French Way!Today, people can buy it online, so it has lost its significance as proof of walking the Camino. There, worshippers kneel to pray in front of the cedar box, a 19th-century silverwork, where the remains of the apostle and his two disciples are. Divine intervention occurred and the knight emerged from the sea, unharmed and covered in scallop shells. Read more: You want to walk the Camino de Santiago? Even though its usetoday is different, people just use it in a symbolic way.You can pick up countless souvenirs and mementoes emblazoned with the shell, which make a great talking point to those who’ve been or want to go. His body was then returned by ship to Galicia.By the 13th century, vendors and shops would take advantage of this and begin selling scallop shells in Santiago itself.The accreditation for completing this pilgrimage was a badge in the form of a scallop shell – this is probably because the scallop is native to Galicia.Here, they would collect scallop shells which are plentiful in the ocean. Upon Jesus’ death, James travelled to Iberia (now Galicia in the north of Spain) in order to convert the pagans there to Christianity..
There is more to the Scallop Shell symbolism however.Food kitchens along the route would also use a Scallop Shell as a measure of one portion.As St. James’ ship was passing beneath a cliff, a knight fell from the top. It is used as a symbol of their pilgrimage and as a practical item. It indicates the path to pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.The milestones are the blocks of concrete that indicate not only the way to follow but the remaining distance to reach Santiago de Compostela.
In 44 A.D., upon returning to Jerusalem, James was beheaded under the orders of King Herrod, becoming the first disciple to by martyred.