Cornucopia Symbol - History And Meaning

Cornucopia is also known as the “horn of plenty,” so it’s pretty much easy to figure out what this symbol means. It is an easily recognized representation of abundance and good fortune, and it symbolizes fertility and peace as well.

If you want to learn more about the Cornucopia symbol, read on to find out the meaning, history, and significance of this Greek symbol.

Cornucopia Symbol – History And Meaning

There’s a wide array of individual examples of the cornucopia. They vary in presentation, but the basic form is a horn-shaped basket filled or overflowing with a harvest. No two cornucopia symbols are exactly alike.

The basket itself has its own symbolic meaning. Because the horn is hollow and shaped like a phallic, it symbolizes the sexual imagery of both males and females. This further binds the symbol into the concept of fertility.

Cornucopia History

The cornucopia originated from Greek mythology, with the birth of Zeus and the she-goat Amalthea’s nurturance of the infant god, who had to be hidden from his devouring father Cronus.

Amalthea, the nourishing goddess, cared for and protected the infant Zeus in a Cretan cave. The future king of all Olympians, even as a suckling baby, had exceptional abilities and strength.

While playing with his foster mother, he accidentally broke off one of her horns, which possessed the divine power to provide never-ending nourishment. Zeus gave it to Amalthea and her sisters, endowing it with the magical power to instantly fill with whatever its holder wished for. And so the first cornucopia was created.

There is another version of this myth, in which Amalthea was a nymph instead of a goat. She did have a goat, however, and that goat’s milk nourished the baby Zeus. Now the goat accidentally broke off her horn. Amalthea cleaned it up, filled it with flowers and fruits, and handed it to Zeus. Grateful, Zeus placed the goat and her horn in the sky, creating the constellation Capricornus (Capricorn).

In another myth, the cornucopia creation involved Heracles, more popularly known by his Roman name Hercules. Hercules was fighting with the Achelous, the river god, and broke off one of his horns.

As a fertility symbol, the cornucopia relates to Dionysus and Demeter, the god of wine and goddess of agriculture, respectively.

Hades, the god of the underworld, was a bestower of agricultural, mineral, and spiritual wealth. He is often depicted holding a cornucopia.

Annona (goddess of Rome’s grain supply) and Abundantia (goddess of fortune), were Roman deities fostering peace and prosperity that are depicted with a cornucopia.

The horn-shaped baskets were traditionally used in Europe and western Asia to hold and carry fresh harvest. These baskets were worn like a sling bag or on the back so the harvester’s hands were free for picking.

The Cornucopia Symbol

The horn of plenty generally symbolizes plenty and abundance. It was thought to originate from Greek mythology and is attributed to various deities, both Greek and Roman, particularly those associated with the harvest, fortune, and/or spiritual abundance,

In modern times, the cornucopia symbol is depicted as a hollow wicker basket shaped like a goat’s horn and brimming with various kinds of fruits and vegetables. This symbol is used at Halloween to represent fertility, fortune, and abundance. It is also identified with Thanksgiving, as well as the harvest.

The symbol is also popularly used for body art today.

Cornucopia Symbol Meaning

The word “cornucopia” is from the Latin cornu copiae, literally meaning “horn of plenty.”

The cornucopia is typically a horn-shaped basket—the horn of plenty—filled or overflowing with produce such as fruits, grains, and vegetables. It is symbolic of fruitfulness and nourishment.

The cornucopia is often used in decorations for Thanksgiving because of what it represents.