The Origins of The Camino de Santiago
It is said that a shepard of Galicia tending his flock sometime in the 9th century A.D. was drawn to a spot on the ground by the light of a star shining down.There was found the relics of St James the Apostle, beheaded while spreading the gospel in the Levant, and whose body was lost at sea on his return to Hispania (now Spain).
Santiago is a corruption of the Spanish Santo Iago. Compostela is a combination of 'Campo de la Estrella', or 'The Field of the Star".
Hence Santiago de Compostela is 'St James of the Field of the Star'. Whether one chooses to believe or not in the finding of his relics, it is a beautiful story.
I'm not Catholic/Christian/Religious? Am I welcome on the Camino?
All kinds of people come from all walks of life to walk the Camino. Walkers of all faiths (Catholic/Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Atheist and on and on) consider themselves as pilgrims. The Camino fills each one according to their needs, not their religion and/or spirituality.
The Meaning of the Shell
The shell is the symbol of the Camino de Santiago. According to legend, when St James' body was being transported back to Galicia and the ship was destroyed in a storm, his body washed ashore, protected by a covering of scallop shells.
Physically, the scallop shell was the perfect size for pilgrims to get a drink of water out of a fountain.
Mythically, the shell represents the protection it gave to the body of St James.
Metaphorically, the grooves in the shell represent the many Caminos, all of which arrive at Santiago de Compostela.
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