Yellow arrow in a street in Sarria (2021)Regional Government of Galicia
Despite being a recent creation, the yellow arrow is one of the most international symbols of the Camino de Santiago today. Alongside the historic vieira shell, which pilgrims would carry home as a souvenir, they are the two main symbols of the Camino.
Pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago (2013)Original Source: Axencia Turismo de Galicia
The yellow arrow
Painted with a broad brush on roads, houses, fences, or trees, they guide pilgrims all the way to Compostela.
Yellow arrow in Tui (2020)Regional Government of Galicia
In 1984, a priest called Elías Valiña personally marked out the entire Camino Francés, from Roncesvalles to Santiago. The yellow color was a random choice, as Elías used cans of paint left over from painting signs on the N-VI road.
The snowed Camino de Santiago as it passes through O Cebreiro (2020)Regional Government of Galicia
Known as "O cura do Cebreiro" (the priest of Cebreiro), Valiña was one of the most important people to help preserve and promote the Camino de Santiago. Inspired by the markings along the Camino Francés, these arrows were used on other Camino routes, making them an international icon.
Staff with pumpkin and shell (2019)Original Source: S.A. de Xestión do Plan Xacobeo
The Vieira Shell
The other defining symbol of the Camino is the scallop shell. It is found in countless churches and monuments.
Cairn in Alto do Poio (2013)Original Source: Axencia Turismo de Galicia
Its history goes back much further than the yellow arrows. The mollusc was mentioned in the Codex Calixtinus, in the 12th century. It was originally a memento that became a symbol of identity for those who had successfully completed the Camino de Santiago, and it was only permitted to be sold in Santiago de Compostela.
Concha de vieira que marca el final del Camino de Santiago, en la plaza de O Obradoiro de Santiago de Compostela (2021)Original Source: Axencia Turismo de Galicia
It is for this reason that a whole neighborhood in the north of the city ended up being known as Os Concheiros, located at the entrance to the Camino Francés. It is there that the guild selling shells to the people finishing the pilgrimage was established.
Sign of the Way and monastery of San Martiño do Couto (12th Century)Regional Government of Galicia
The shell's current design is the one adopted by the Council of Europe in 1987, when they declared the Camino de Santiago to be the first European cultural route. Today, it is the defining symbol of the Camino de Santiago throughout the world.
