Fan-shaped shells or the edible shellfish that live in them; also refers to a curved, wavy decorative pattern on fabric or edges.
From Old French 'escalope,' possibly from Scandinavian origins. The shell became associated with pilgrims (the scallop shell was their symbol) and with the dish served at Spanish ports. The decorative use came from the shell's natural ridged pattern.
Medieval pilgrims wore scallop shells as badges showing they'd been to Santiago de Compostela in Spain—the shell became the symbol of pilgrimage itself! Today, the Camino de Santiago pilgrim route is still marked with scallop shell symbols.
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