The scallop shell is one of the most recognizable symbols of medieval pilgrimage. It became especially associated with St. James and the long journey to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. Pilgrims often carried a shell as proof of their journey. Over time the shell became a badge of the pilgrim himself, worn on a hat, cloak, or pouch. I like the idea that something so simple could tell a whole story. One small shell could say, “I have been there, and I made the journey.”