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Pilgrim's hat

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The shield of Gossel, Germany features Saint James wearing a pilgrim's hat with the scallop shell on the front brim

A pilgrim's hat, cockel hat or traveller's hat, is a wide brim hat used to keep off the sun.[1]

Background

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The pilgrim's hat traditionally had a scallop shell emblem. This is thought to be a reference to the Christian legend that, after Saint James died in Jerusalem, he was miraculously carried by angels 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 the Way of St. James. The upturned brim of the hat is adorned with a scallop 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 alongside pilgrim's staffs.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Cockle Hat". The Friar of Orders Grey; Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer. Beaumont and Fletcher. 1894. Retrieved March 5, 2018 – via Infoplease.com.
  2. ^ Chico, Beverly (2013). Hats and Headwear around the World: A Cultural Encyclopedia. ABC-CLIO. p. 377. ISBN 9781610690621.
  3. ^ "Camino Santiago de Compostela, Frances, Fisterra and Portugues". Camino Pilgrim Guides. April 30, 2005. Archived from the original on January 10, 2012. Retrieved March 5, 2018.
  4. ^ Sánchez y Sánchez, Samuel (2015). Annie Hesp (ed.). The Camino de Santiago in the 21st Century: Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Global Views. Routledge. ISBN 978-1138053410.
  5. ^ "Pilgrims and Heraldry". The Heraldry Society. February 14, 2018. Retrieved October 29, 2024.
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