St James Cross jewellery on the camino of Santiago de Compostela

What is the meaning of a piece of St James Cross jewellery and life’s camino?

The Cross of Santiago is said to be a symbol that gives courage and hope in the face of difficulties. But why / how come?

 

SEE the Camino jewellery in our online shop including St James Cross jewellery . .

. . an ideal gift for someone setting out on a journey, or a new adventure

Every year, some 250,000 pilgrims complete the final 100 km walk of the Camino de Santiago and qualify for the coveted ‘Compostela’ or certificate. Many bring home a souvenir of this Camino – the so-called Way of Saint James. They come frm all four corners of the earth – but particularly from the United States of America (US) and Canada, Ireland, Deutschland / Germany, France and Portugal.

This Way of St. James criss-crosses Western Europe, arriving at Santiago through Northern Spain. It is generally regarded as a journey of the body, mind and spirit. More than just a simple walk, the Camino is special because of the fellow pilgrims, the stories they share and the challenges people overcome.  

Concha St James cross
Sterling silver St James cross pendant with concha scallop shell
St James necklace
St James necklace – sterling silver
St James cross silver necklace
Striking red Saint James cross pendant – used by the Crusaders
St James
Cross of Saint James
St James cross heart
Way of St James open cross necklace with characteristic shell symbol and small sterling silver heart

Modern pilgrims choose to do the Camino for personal, spiritual and/or religious reasons – or simply to take time out from their busy, modern lives. For many, the walk is to find inspiration – improving their outlook on life, bringing them into closer contact with nature and expanding their cultural horizons through contact with other pilgrims. Everyone experiences the journey in a different way.

And for many, the Cross of Saint James (La Cruz de Santiago) is a symbol of this journey . . this ‘ Camino ‘ and the camino of life in general. (This is also true for the famous scallop shell concha  (see image above) – which is also collected as a souvenir or a symbol of the Camino, Way of St. James)

St James Cross jewellery (and Concha scallop shell jewelry) is inspired (and inspiring) and it is said to promote courage, strength and hope.

St. James is the Patron Saint of all Spain and, according to Don Quixote in Cervantes’ book: “St. James has been given by God to Spain for its protection”

A piece of St James jewelry has special significance or meaning for many hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world.     


SEE the Camino jewellery in our CENTRAL (Group) SHOP, including St James Cross jewellery . .

. . a lovely gift with meaning for a traveller