As one walks along the Way of St. James, one will spot a repeated image on the doors of cafes and bars and alburgues. A scallop shell (concha in spanish). This is the symbol of the pilgrims of the Camino.
There are a few legends I have read about the sea shell's significance to the pilgrims. Some say that a prince made the journey by horse to pray at the tomb of St. James and when he got there his horse was attacked by a snake. It bolted towards the see and threw the prince into the water. The prince's life was at the mercy of St. James. Miraculously, the prince survived and rose from the water covered in scallop shells. Ever since then, the shell has been a symbol of the pilgrims.
I have heard other versions that mention a wedding in a similar story with a horse and rider both going into the sea and returning covered in shells.
A more religious significance of the scallop shell is a symbol of good works. The design on the shell looks like outspread fingers on a hand doing a good deed and reaching out to people. As the stores say, those who do good work have the dignity to persevere and bear the yoke of the Lord, submitting to his righteous commands. The scallop shell can represent the hospitality of the hosts at the alburgues and the encouragement they give to the pilgrims along the way.
Another reason for the significance of the shell is proof that the pilgrim went all the way to the coast of Cape Finisterre, once believed to be the westernmost end of the world. Cape Finisterre is another 90 kilometers west of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela. Some walk that distance but there are buses that take the route as well.
How would you feel to stand at the very westernmost edge of the earth? I think this journey will be a reflective one indeed.
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