The pilgrim's hat traditionally had ascallop shell emblem. This is thought to be a reference to theChristian legend that, afterSaint James died in Jerusalem, he was miraculously carried byangels to the Atlantic coast of Spain, although the shell symbol has also been connected to pre-Christian traditions as well.[2]
Traditionally it is highly associated with pilgrims on theWay of St. James. The upturned brim of the hat is adorned with ascallop shell to denote the traveller's pilgrim status,[3] although modern walkers wear it much less.[4]
Pilgrim's hats occasionally appear in heraldry, oftentimes alongsidepilgrim's staffs.[5]
^"Cockle Hat".The Friar of Orders Grey; Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer. Beaumont and Fletcher. 1894. RetrievedMarch 5, 2018 – via Infoplease.com.
^Sánchez y Sánchez, Samuel (2015). Annie Hesp (ed.).The Camino de Santiago in the 21st Century: Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Global Views. Routledge.ISBN978-1138053410.
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