The scallop shell is the symbol of the Camino de Santiago. For most pilgrims it is a souvenir to take home from the Galician coast, but is also has mythical, mystical and practical purposes.
Like this: "The grooves in the shell, which come together at a single point, represent the various routes pilgrims travel, eventually arriving at a single destination: the tomb of James in Santiago de Compostela. The shell is also a metaphor for the pilgrim; As the waves of the ocean wash scallop shells up on the shores of Galicia, God's hand also guides the pilgrims to Santiago."
The scallop can also serve practical purposes for pilgrims. It is the right size for scooping water to drink or even for eating out of as a makeshift bowl.
Daniel
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