Editing Seashell (section)

==== Religion and spirituality ====
[[File:Flag of Kingdom of Travancore.svg|thumb|A sacred chank shell on the flag of [[Travancore]], India]]
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[File:Strombuslarcomuseum.jpg|thumb|right|Moche Shell, 200 A.D. [[Larco Museum|Larco Museum Collection]] Lima, Peru.]] -->
[[File:Spatha shell. From Naqada tomb 1539, Egypt. Naqada I period. The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, London.jpg|thumb|Spatha shell. From Naqada tomb 1539, Egypt. Naqada I period. The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, London]]
Seashells have played a part in religion and spirituality, sometimes even as ritual objects.
* In Christianity, the [[scallop]] shell is considered to be the symbol of [[Saint James the Great]], see ''[[Pecten jacobaeus]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Raichlen|first=Steven|title=The venerable scallop's versatility makes it a rare culinary blessing|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1990-11-04-1990308108-story.html|access-date=12 November 2020|website=baltimoresun.com|date=4 November 1990|language=en-US|archive-date=8 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508232021/https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-1990-11-04-1990308108-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
* In [[Hinduism]], left-handed shells of ''[[Turbinella pyrum]]'' (the sacred [[shankha]]) are considered to be sacred to the god [[Vishnu]]. The person who finds a left-handed chank shell (one that coils to the left) is sacred to Vishnu, as well. The chank shell also plays an important role in [[Buddhism]].
* [[Cowries]] have often been considered to be symbols of female fertility. They were often treated as actual fertility [[amulet|charms]]. The dorsum of the shell resembles a pregnant belly, and the underside of the shell resembles a [[vulva]]. In the South Indian state of Kerala, cowries are used for making astrological predictions.
* In the [[Santería]] religion, shells are used for [[divination]].
* The [[Moche (culture)|Moche]] culture of ancient [[Peru]] worshipped animals and the sea, and often depicted shells in their art.<ref>Berrin, Katherine & Larco Museum. ''The Spirit of Ancient Peru:Treasures from the [[Larco Museum|Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera]].'' New York: [[Thames and Hudson]], 1997.</ref>
* In Christianity, the top of the [[sand dollar]] represents the Star of Bethlehem that led the Wise Men to the manger of Christ. Outside the "star" you will see the Easter Lily, a sign of Jesus' Resurrection. There are four holes that represent the holes in the Lord's hands and feet. The center hole is the Wound to His Sacred Heart by the spear of Longinus. On the other side of the sand dollar, you will see Poinsettia. Lastly, if you break open the sand dollar, five doves will come out, the doves of Peace and Joy.<ref>The Legend of the Sand Dollar</ref>