Excursionista
happiest when walking
- Time of past OR future Camino
- De VdBierzo (2004)
Pamplona-Sahagún (2021)
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Very interesting -- thanks for sharing! Although I've spent much more time in León than anywhere else in Spain, this part seemed a bit odd: "Este Grupo de Trabajo, presidido por la Comunidad de Castilla y León, está compuesto por los Directores Generales competentes en materia de turismo o cultura de todas las Comunidades Autónomas que forman parte del Consejo Jacobeo." Text bolded by me -- seems like this sort of group should be led by Galicia, not Castilla y León, since Santiago de Compostela is pretty much the whole point of the Camino.In this thread, @JLWV provides a link to the standard of the Federation Consejo Jacobeo for use of various Camino symbols. The shell should not be taken as a directional symbol, and it is recommended that it be used in conjunction with arrows.
I think in the past, it was often used to indicate direction, but there was inconsistency in how it was used in different regions. You can find forum discussions, for example, here and here.
Thanks for this! I haven't spent much time in Galicia for nearly two decades so haven't seen these new markers yet. But I'll hopefully be there in less than a month!The hitos (granite mileposts) are all made in a workshop somewhere
I use the GPS on either the Buen Camino or Wise Pilgrim app if I'm in any doubtIf no arrows and only a shell, walk like a bit… by the time you are fed up, there will be an arrow. If no arrow, turn around. Almost every intersection is marked. If you are at an intersection and no arrows, I’d turn around and go back.
Too funny. Totally agree.I use the GPS on either the Buen Camino or Wise Pilgrim app if I'm in any doubt
Definitely - the direction of arrows trumps the direction of shellsThis is my theory, for what it's worth. The hitos (granite mileposts) are all made in a workshop somewhere and they nearly always put the tile on facing the same way (although sometimes someone slaps it on the other way, just for the hell of it). When the team comes to plant the hitos, they orient the whole hito so that the shell indicates way, if they can. This is not always the case, as the photo illustrates. The lesson is: follow the arrows. The shells are always on a camino, that is the most you can say for them.
View attachment 119393
Found it: Macua & García-Ramos is the name of the graphic designer team who created the symbol shown below. This design is used by the Spanish regions as a label for the Camino de Santiago. It was the winner of an international competition that was organised by the Council of Europe and intended for use as a symbol of the Camino de Santiago as European Cultural Route - long before most of us had ever heard of Caminos.The stylised yellow shell on a blue background was created by a Spanish design studio on behalf of the Council of Europe (not an EU institution).
The shell logo should always be placed in such a way that the “point” is on the left.
In this thread, @JLWV provides a link to the standard of the Federation Consejo Jacobeo for use of various Camino symbols
Know what you mean but my Camino Ninja app clearly showed me the route. Worked for me. Buen CaminoSo... after several forum searches, I think I've figured it out but would appreciate confirmation.
When I started walking from Pamplona in November, I was very confused because the shells and arrows sometimes seemed to be pointing in opposite directions. Apparently, I had deeply internalized the Galician system when I walked from Villafranca del Bierzo in 2004, and my impulse to follow the rays of a Camino shell was as deeply embedded as following the pointy end of an arrow.
As I walked from Pamplona to Sahagún, I saw many shells pointing the "wrong" way and many that seemed to only be decorative markings accompanying arrows, without any direction of their own. I certainly understand the logic of the "all roads lead to Santiago" interpretation, but it turns out to be very difficult to assign a new meaning to a familiar symbol! I never did fully adjust, but I learned to look for arrows instead.
From others' experience, is it true that only Galician arrows use the direction of the rays to indicate the direction of the Camino?
I can only comment with the following personal experience from Galicia, which was a couple of years ago.This is my theory, for what it's worth. The hitos (granite mileposts) are all made in a workshop somewhere and they nearly always put the tile on facing the same way (although sometimes someone slaps it on the other way, just for the hell of it). When the team comes to plant the hitos, they orient the whole hito so that the shell indicates way, if they can. This is not always the case, as the photo illustrates. The lesson is: follow the arrows. The shells are always on a camino, that is the most you can say for them.
View attachment 119393
Absolutely, I used the Wise Pilgrim app (without cell service in Spain) and was very happy for the confirmation when the markings were ambiguous!I use the GPS on either the Buen Camino or Wise Pilgrim app if I'm in any doubt
Agreed, I was only confused when there weren't any arrows.Definitely - the direction of arrows trumps the direction of shells
This definitely shows how important a first exposure is in interpreting a symbol. I have a hard time conceiving of the "back" of the shell pointing toward anything!I have always had a hard time conceiving of the "rays" pointing toward anything. Maybe that's good? My initial reading of the symbol, one I can't shake, is of a comet with with a tail. A shooting star?
No, in Galicia you can find Shells in different position no matter the direction of the Arrow.So... after several forum searches, I think I've figured it out but would appreciate confirmation.
When I started walking from Pamplona in November, I was very confused because the shells and arrows sometimes seemed to be pointing in opposite directions. Apparently, I had deeply internalized the Galician system when I walked from Villafranca del Bierzo in 2004, and my impulse to follow the rays of a Camino shell was as deeply embedded as following the pointy end of an arrow.
As I walked from Pamplona to Sahagún, I saw many shells pointing the "wrong" way and many that seemed to only be decorative markings accompanying arrows, without any direction of their own. I certainly understand the logic of the "all roads lead to Santiago" interpretation, but it turns out to be very difficult to assign a new meaning to a familiar symbol! I never did fully adjust, but I learned to look for arrows instead.
From others' experience, is it true that only Galician arrows use the direction of the rays to indicate the direction of the Camino?
Hi my friend.It is an interesting thing and took me by surprise on my first Camino. I would love to know the rationale or history of why the regions differ in the orientation of the shells 'rays'.
Is it a problem? One of the many things I value about the camino - in Spain and elsewhere - is that there is no one governing body. It ‘belongs’ to no one. The fact that it’s not centrally administered is a positive in my view. It seems to work well as it is.Hi my friend.
The problem is the lack of coordination between regional administration.
Also within the same Community you will find Shell on different position.
I'm sorry, this is Spain.
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