Tradition…. When to start wearing your scallop shell?

[Camino Chrissy]

I pick up a small stone to bring back home which I put with other stones I have collected from around the world as momentos.

I do a similar thing as I collect stones and shells from various travels.
On my recent Via Francigenica walk last fall some of the paths were made using recycled broken tile pieces mixed with gravel. I was fascinated by the variety of colors intermingled so I collected a few tiny interesting pieces to take home as momentos.

 

[kelleymac]

I had been waiting until we finished our pilgrimage at Santiago de compostela, but then was given a scallop shell in O Cebriero, by the father of a family who invited my son and I to join them for lunch. Upon finding out we didn't have shells he left the restaurant and ran to the tourist shop nearby. -- Later, I gave that shell to a friend who was going to walk the camino with her teenage daughter.

Now, on my everyday small backpack, I have a small metal scallop shell and a tau cross. To those who know, the shell identifies me as a pilgrim and the tau as a follower of Christ.

 

[dougfitz]

I never knew the shell was supposed to be the symbol of a completed Camino to Finesterre

I don't think early pilgrims would have understood that at all either, although they might have wanted to collect one in Santiago once they had visited Santiago's tomb.

 

[MilenaS]

I've never worn a shell - but now I have cloth badges from Camigas, this website and the Norwegian pilgrim symbol on my backpack.

Ooooh, now you got me wondering. What is the Norwegian pilgrim symbol? I was planning on getting a red T for the hiking association, but maybe a pilgrim symbol as well

 

[Bradypus]

Ooooh, now you got me wondering. What is the Norwegian pilgrim symbol? I was planning on getting a red T for the hiking association, but maybe a pilgrim symbol as well

This is the symbol used to mark the pilgrim routes to Trondheim.

Signs - S:t Olavsleden

The St Olav’s Cross leads the way. This symbol appears as a metal badge and a sticker, and is found at regular intervals along the entire St Olavsleden trail.

stolavsleden.com

 

[MilenaS]

This is the symbol used to mark the pilgrim routes to Trondheim.

Signs - S:t Olavsleden

The St Olav’s Cross leads the way. This symbol appears as a metal badge and a sticker, and is found at regular intervals along the entire St Olavsleden trail.

stolavsleden.com

Thank you! Should have thought of it myself.

Got lost in Oslo in September, got of on the wrong train stop, wondered around for an hour through industrial areas to get to my hotel, and suddenly I came across the Pilgrim signs

 

[kelleymac]

I have made pilgrimage to Rome (so I can wear a key), and to Santiago (a shell). Now I just need to get to Jerusalem (palms).

 

[Shona]

The friend with whom I walked my first Camino came from Orkney and her family gave her a shell from the beach there and one for me. We tied them to our backpacks with tartan ribbon which had presented itself to us out of the blue. We then caught the first of several trains to SJPP. we were hailed with several ‘Buen Camino!’s on our way through London and Paris - which felt very special indeed.
After that first Camino I bought a backpack. The one I carried on the CF was a borrowed one as I had never owned a bp and did not expect to walk more than one Camino
my Orkney scallop shell has now viewed the VdlP backwards, attached to the back of my very own backpack and waiting to likewise view the Invierno this autumn, fingers crossed

 

[Adhemar78]

For first timers, do you start wearing your scallop shell when you start the camino, or only after you have finished?

I purchased one from the Camino Forum store before my first Camino and wore it on my backpack from the start of both that and my second Camino which I recently completed. And from what I observed while doing both Caminos the vast majority of my fellow pilgrims generally did the same.

 

[60LifeChange]

Modern pilgrims tend to wear their shells when they start, or as soon as they acquire them to identify themselves as pilgrims. There are some who believe that medieval pilgrims wore them after they finished, having received them in Galicia as they completed their Caminos.

I like the idea of the comradery that the shell creates for all involved. much like a military badge or other groups that use patches to identify themselves with. I just hope I can keep mine from breaking as I travel, as I am quite the klutz at times.

 

[David Tallan]

I like the idea of the comradery that the shell creates for all involved. much like a military badge or other groups that use patches to identify themselves with. I just hope I can keep mine from breaking as I travel, as I am quite the klutz at times.

Normally, on Camino, my shell has been on the back of my pack. However, on the Camino that I am on, there is no community of other pilgrims. It is just me and the locals. I've taken to wearing my shell around my neck, in front, so it is visible to those interacting with me. This has led to some verybpositive interactions with pilgrim-friendly locals who might have not recognized me as a pilgrim otherwise (e.g. after I had left my backpack and was exploring the village or town).

 

[CWBuff]

They keep Camino shells in a basket at the Pilgrims Office in SJPP. You chose one and give them a donation - I think it is €2. At least that’s what is was like many many years ago.

in 2020 they asked for €7 donation
within reason it is a "free" offering i.e. pay what you can

I know you do ‘tell it like it is’ but really - that happens?

Yes it does (as many already stated). My Chapter does it 2 times a year (spring and fall) and there is always at least one person who is ready to go on Camino shortly following.
It was during one of those (spring 22) that I got mine - a small shell on a leather string that I could wear around my neck. I did it from the moment I stepped out my door to go on Camino and wore it through til the end (Finisterre). I still wear it now, esp. during the various Chapter's gatherings and training hikes as well as for anything that (at least in my mind) Camino-related. I also wore it during my recent TMB hike and I was totally blown away on how many people started talking to me because of it (most Europeans know exactly what it stands for)
I did not get my "big" shell until Roncesvalles (i.e. I did walk for 2 days without one, but "now" I guess I could consider that I did my 'diligence" and can be "a Pilgrim"). It went on the back of my pack and rode there all the way to Finisterre as well.
My wife, who met me in SdC upon my conclusion of Frances and who walked to Finisterre with me basically did the same, i.e. she refused to wear the shell we got at SdC on her 1st day of the walk and we "ceremoniously" put it on her backpack on the morning of the 2nd.

So perhaps the tradition has changed. IMHO it is still (as many other things) up to the individual. Do whatever feels right for you - it is YOUR Camino!

 

[CWBuff]

Before walking a Camino, I get a scallop shell of a beach here in New Zealand and fix it to my pack. When I get to Finesterre I throw it into the sea. This is nothing to do with tradition or whatever. For me it just marks the start and finish of my Camino. After throwing my shell into the sea I pick up a small stone to bring back home which I put with other stones I have collected from around the world as momentos.

Sounds like a very nice tradition for you.

my sentiments exactly - if you did it more than once - it IS a "tradition" - YOUR tradition.

I like it. I might "steal it" for myself! now.... how to get to a beach in New Zealand from Philadelphia US before my Camino.....