Pilgrim's hat explained

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

Background

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]

Gallery

Pilgrim's hats are used in heraldry.

See also

• Pilgrim badge
• Pilgrim's staff
• Cross of Saint James
• Asian conical hat

Notes and References

1. Web site: 1894 . Cockle Hat . 2018-03-05 . The Friar of Orders Grey; Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer . Beaumont and Fletcher . Infoplease.com.
2. Book: Chico, Beverly . Hats and Headwear around the World: A Cultural Encyclopedia . ABC-CLIO . 2013 . 377. 9781610690621 .
3. Web site: 2005-04-30 . Camino Santiago de Compostela, Frances, Fisterra and Portugues . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20120110100335/https://www.caminoguides.com/history.html . January 10, 2012 . 2018-03-05 . Camino Pilgrim Guides.
4. Book: Sánchez y Sánchez, Samuel . The Camino de Santiago in the 21st Century: Interdisciplinary Perspectives and Global Views . 2015 . Routledge . 978-1138053410 . Annie Hesp.