About Cornucopias

The word cornucopia, derived from the Latin "Cornu Copiae," brings images to mind of a woven, horn-shaped basket overflowing with fruit on a holiday table. But the origin of the cornucopia dates back thousands of years, to a time when symbolism was of great importance and decisions were greatly dependent on the position of the constellations. The legends surrounding the cornucopia may vary, but the fruitfulness that the cornucopia represents stays the same.

Identification

The cornucopia is a symbol that is associated with an endless supply of harvested foods and drink. Although a cornucopia can be made from varying mediums, its horned shape is always constant. Traditionally placed on the Thanksgiving Day table, the cornucopia is often filled with fruits and vegetables. In some cultures, the cornucopia is also considered a symbol of fertility.

History

The cornucopia dates back to the ancient Greeks and the gods they worshiped. According to legend, Zeus broke the horn of the goat, Amalthea, that was providing his milk. To compensate for this unfortunate accident, Zeus filled the horn with a bountiful harvest of fruits and promised that Amalthea would always have plenty to eat. Thus, the cornucopia also became known as the horn of plenty, which is denoted in many famous ancient paintings and sculptures.

Misconceptions

In later years, the cornucopia became associated with the pilgrims and Indians, which is the version of history that schoolchildren are familiar with. As history states, the two groups held a gathering in 1621 that lasted three days in celebration of a successful harvest. Although this celebration is often considered the first Thanksgiving, accounts from the lives of those living in the 1600s mentions no such holiday. In fact, because of their deep religious beliefs, a harvest celebration would not have been worthy of giving religious thanks. Although Thanksgiving celebrations did slowly evolve into a once-a-year event years later, it wasn't until 1863 that Abraham Lincoln declared Thanksgiving an official holiday. Along with the turkey, the cornucopia has been a visual representation of the holiday ever since.

Significance

The cornucopia was of great significance to the ancient Romans, who incorporated it into the design of many of their coins. The emperors of ancient Rome felt it important that people always associate money with fruitfulness, happiness and wealth. The Deity Abundantia was often depicted on the silver denarius holding an overflowing horn of plenty.

Expert Insight

It may be interesting to note that the cornucopia is also relevant to the 10th sign of the zodiac. The great horned sea goat, which represents Capricorn, is often adorned with the horn of plenty. This image reverts back to Greek mythology, in which the sea goat would be representative of Amalthea. The constellation Capricorn is the oldest to date, and the sea goat with the horn of plenty has even been found by archaeologists on the tablets of ancient Babylonia, which are over 3,000 years old. Interest in the constellations was also of great interest to the Freemasons, a fraternal order of the 16th century, who adopted the cornucopia as one of their symbols. In masonry, the cornucopia represents abundance.

Resources

• Capricorn