“It may not be true, but I believe it anyway.” – Old Neapolitan Saying
Intro: Who Is Nonna Carmela?
There are grandmas… and then there’s Nonna Carmela.
She lived between Naples and New York, cooking in her son’s restaurant on Staten Island. Between eggplant parm and pasta bowls, she dished out more than just Italian flavors—there were superstitions, old sayings, and little bits of folk magic in every spoonful.
She’s the ultimate Italian matriarch: clever, sharp-tongued, loyal to tradition but with an open mind. Think floral apron, mischievous eyes, and the kind of wisdom that makes you laugh while you’re learning.
Part grandma, part witch, part life philosopher.
So we asked her to share her thoughts on the red horn necklace —you know, the Italian lucky charm. What followed felt like a chat seasoned with tomato sauce and Neapolitan coffee: funny, heartfelt, and full of truth.
Ready? Here’s our exclusive interview with Nonna Carmela.
Nonna Carmela, be honest—does this Italian horn thing really work?
Nonna Carmela: (arms wide open) Of course it works, figghiu miu! Without a Cornicello you’re naked in front of the evil eye—like going outside without an undershirt. You'll catch a cold in no time!
(she pauses, squints at me, and shifts tone)
“Tell me… you like soccer? You root for Napoli, right? Did you enjoy the championship?”
Me, sheepishly: “Uh… actually, I support Milan.”
Nonna Carmela: (laughs, shaking her head) Maronna mia! Last year, not even a witch with a giant hornlet could’ve saved your team!
You see? Life’s like that too: if a team walks onto the field without believing it can win, it’s already lost.
Same goes for the cornicello—it’s half charm, half mindset. You gotta believe in it.
What’s the best material for a real lucky horn?
Nonna Carmela: (stirring the sauce) Coral, gold… those are fine. But plastic, my child? That’s good for a keychain, maybe. And even then, it’s all about the shape—because the material, pardon my Italian, is garbage.
Coral is the king: red like blood, born from the sea, and it sings against envy like cicadas in August.
Gold Horn Necklace? That calls in prosperity—it brings wealth to the family. But remember, without health, money’s just paper.
You want your Cornicello in silver? That's not the Top ... but that's ok.
And let me tell you something: materials are like people. Some are strong, some are precious, some give you energy… and some are good for nothing. Plastic? Cold, useless, no soul.
Is there a special way to "activate" it?
Nonna Carmela: (pretends to spit three times) Ptu! Ptu! Ptu! That’s how you chase envy away. Then you spin it three times—counterclockwise, like this—and say a quick prayer. And hey, calling on the Lord never hurts; He’s always listening.
Then take your Italian Horn necklace and do exactly like this ...
I add my little rhyme too: “Luntana ‘a malasorte, vicino ‘a salute.” Keep bad luck away, bring health close. That’s the most important thing, my child. Without health, nothing matters.
And remember: your horn needs to feel your heart. Wear it without belief, and you’re just a bad actor on stage with no audience—talking and flailing, but nobody’s listening.
Some say it must be gifted. Others say you can buy it yourself. Who’s right?
Nonna Carmela: (slaps the table) Gifted—always! Luck, like love, can’t be bought. If you pay for it yourself, luck turns its back on you. Good Luck in Italy is a serious thing!
But there’s an old trick: the seller gives you a penny in change. That way, part of it you paid… and part was a gift. You trick fortune like that.
(Me, Marco): “You know, Nonna, once a Japanese tourist came into the shop and insisted on paying every cent. So I snuck a coin into his bag without saying a word.”
Nonna Carmela: (nodding with a sly smile) Brav’! That’s how it’s done. Without that gesture, it was just a red horn. But with that coin, it became a true lucky charm and can fight the Evil Eye
Does it only protect against the evil eye—or more than that?
Nonna Carmela: (winks) It protects from everything: bad vibes, envy, gossip, jinxes… even that grumpy neighbor who scowls when you park near his house.
But be careful: there are two things even a horn the size of the Empire State Building can’t protect you from—taxes and your mother-in-law. No Italian Good Luck Charm can fight with them!
In that case RUN RUN RUN my boy!
Other than that, it can work small miracles: like catching the bus at the last second, or snagging a seat when you thought you’d stand the whole ride.
But if the guy next to you stinks of sweat? Ehh… not even Saint Gennaro can help you there!
(Me): “And you, Nonna… are you a mother-in-law?”
Nonna Carmela: (with a sly look) Mind your business! … I’m kidding. My daughter-in-law’s a saint—she makes my son happy, and for a mama, that’s worth more than any lucky charm.
And what if a Nonna doesn’t approve of the hornlet?
Nonna Carmela: (crossing her arms, deadly serious) Uhh… then you’re doomed, figghiu miu. The horn protects you from the evil eye—but nothing saves you from an angry grandma. Not even Saint Gennaro himself.
Let me tell you: if your nonna’s mad, you’ll get the silent treatment that keeps you up at night. And you should feel guilty!
You can have coral, gold, all the lucky charms in the world… but if grandma turns her back on you? You’re done for.
So listen to your nonna… and go get yourself that lucky horn!
