Like Hansel and Gretel following a trail of pebbles out of the woods to find their way back home, the Camino walker seeks signs to point the way forward. Over the length of the Camino Francés, the ever-present yellow arrow shepherds the pilgrim onwards. This special marker is a recent invention (1984), the initiative of a Galician priest from O Cebreiro who dedicated a lifetime to preserving and raising the ancient camino’s profile. It’s yellow on blue signage is now the official symbol of the Camino Francés and its designation as a European Cultural Itinerary.
Other civic groups wanted to celebrate the camino’s passing as well. This was an opportunity to promote and reflect their own unique identity as members in an historic pilgrimage. In future posts, we will take a look at how those towns, villages and cities found a way to guide the Camino pilgrim on their journey.