ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Cross of Saint James

Imagine you have a special symbol on your shirt that means something very meaningful to you. This symbol might help you remember to be kind to others, to be brave when you're scared, or to have hope when things seem tough.

The Cross of Saint James is kind of like a special symbol for some people, especially those who follow the Christian religion. It is named after a man named James who was one of Jesus' twelve apostles. Some people believe that James traveled to different countries to tell people about Jesus and to spread his teachings. He even ended up in Spain, where people started to recognize him as a special saint.

The Cross of Saint James is a special kind of cross that has a long line going up and down, and another shorter line going across. This shape is meant to remind people of a staff or walking stick that James would have used during his travels. The cross became a symbol to show that someone was following in the footsteps of Saint James and doing good things in the world, like helping others and spreading kindness.

Many people who follow the Camino de Santiago, a famous pilgrimage route in Spain, carry a version of the Cross of Saint James with them. They believe that the cross will help guide them on their journey and remind them to be kind, brave, and hopeful.