In 2020 we experienced what our Latin ancestors called "annus horribilis": the year that will be perennially remembered as the year of the COVID pandemic.
But do amulets really bring good luck?
In a previous beautiful blog article, my mother told you the story of the coral horn, ending her arguments with an ironic “it's not true, but I believe in it!”.
It is precisely the meaning of this article: we are the first to say that everyone is the creator of his/her own luck, but what harm can it do to make friends with fate? Maybe it will be the right time!
Italy and the Neapolitan superstition
Since Roman times, we, Italians, have been lovers of chasing amulets because, let's face it, we are a bit superstitious and our magical center is certainly Naples.
Here are the amulets that have marked Italian tradition.
Traditional Italian amulets
Today I will tell you in a "politically incorrect" way, and without useless modesty, the truest meaning of
• Coral Good Luck Horn
• Gold Horn against Evil Eye
• Horned hand
• The “Figa” Good Luck Pendant
• The hunchback
The Coral Good Luck Horn and the Gold Horn against Evil Eye
The meaning of the two amulets is very similar but the materials are different.
Let's start with the traditional coral horn called cornicello!
Meaning of this Magic Amulet
Let's try to clear things up and see what they have in common. First of all it is a horn not a chili pepper, thing that many get wrong.
The cornetto is undoubtedly a (phallic) symbol of fertility and therefore a good omen and has its origins from its ancestor: the cornucopia!
Cornucopia literally means "horn of plenty".
Abundance and fertility are often represented by Western iconography with a woman holding a horn overflowing with fruit and flowers in her arms.
The Coral Good Luck Horn
In my opinion it is the most traditional one, because it marries the concept of lucky charm with a totally Italian material: red coral. I will tell you more: the red horn has magical meanings, since its color recalls the blood that has always been synonymous with well being. In Italy there is even a proverb that says: "red wine makes good blood".
Blood is therefore essential for the well being of every person. I will give you one last though: think of a coral branch; doesn't it remind you of the human circulatory system? Think about it!
In Italy everything has historical or mythological roots and by understanding them, everything takes on a more complete meaning!
Gold Horn against Evil Eye
The lucky horn in gold is nothing more than an evolution of the red horn with materials considered even more precious (although sometimes coral costs more than the coveted yellow metal). The gold horn like the red version is traditionally effective against the "evil eye" and "jinxing".
In this case, the precious material, traditionally associated with wealth, would amplify its thaumaturgical power.
Horned hand Amulet
Another version is the hand making the horns: doubled power since there are two horns in this case!
The “Figa” Good Luck Pendant
What is it? It is an amulet in the shape of a small hand closed, with the thumb enclosed between the index and middle finger.
Figa is a lucky charm present in various cultures and in Italy it is called "mano fico" because the position of the hand is very reminiscent of this fruit.
For the ancient Romans this fruit represented the female sexual organ and was therefore associated with fertility and abundance. In practice, it is the alter ego of the phallic symbol of the horn.
The materials: once again gold and coral to encourage the multiplication of the beneficial effects of the amulet.
The hunchback (O’ Scartellato) goes with the horn
Having the “scartello” means having a hump.
The word derives from the Greek "kartos" which in ancient Neapolis (once again Naples) indicated the basket that was believed to be full of precious objects and therefore a harbinger of well being.
This speech reminds you by chance of the "cornucopia" we were talking about earlier?
Here the “scartello” the person bent and humped under the basket, has become a traditional symbol that people want to touch to get some of that good luck.
Do you want a lucky number? For the "Neapolitan grimace" the hunchback corresponds to the number 57 and chases away all troubles!
Often the hunchback is represented on the top of the lucky horn or holds a horn in his hand. The meaning: simply a fortune raised to the square!
You are free to do as you wish, but for me a little luck never hurts so ... it won't be true, but I believe in it!
On the other hand, mom is always right
I will leave you with the biggest hug in the world
Marco Jovon
here you can download my ebook about red coral
If you loved this post maybe you'd like to know:
