Difference between revisions of "Cornucopia"
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==Origin== | ==Origin== | ||
Late Latin, from [[Latin]] ''cornu copiae'' horn of plenty | Late Latin, from [[Latin]] ''cornu copiae'' horn of plenty | ||
| − | *[ | + | *[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1508] |
==Definitions== | ==Definitions== | ||
*1: a curved goat's horn overflowing with fruit and ears of grain that is used as a decorative motif emblematic of [[abundance]] | *1: a curved goat's horn overflowing with fruit and ears of grain that is used as a decorative motif emblematic of [[abundance]] | ||
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*3: a receptacle shaped like a horn or cone | *3: a receptacle shaped like a horn or cone | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | The '''cornucopia''' (from [[Latin]] ''cornu copiae'') or horn of plenty is a symbol of [[abundance]] and nourishment, commonly a large horn-shaped container overflowing with produce, flowers, nuts, other edibles, or [[wealth]] in some form. Originating in [ | + | The '''cornucopia''' (from [[Latin]] ''cornu copiae'') or horn of plenty is a symbol of [[abundance]] and nourishment, commonly a large horn-shaped container overflowing with produce, flowers, nuts, other edibles, or [[wealth]] in some form. Originating in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_antiquity classical antiquity], it has continued as a [[symbol]] in [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_art Western art], and in North America is particularly associated with the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanksgiving Thanksgiving] holiday. |
| − | [ | + | [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Classical_mythology Classical mythology] offers multiple [[explanations]] of the origin of the cornucopia. One of the best-known involves the [[birth]] and nurturance of the infant [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeus Zeus], who had to be hidden from his devouring father [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cronus Cronus]. In a [[cave]] on [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Ida Mount Ida] on the island of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crete Crete], baby Zeus was cared for and protected by a number of [[divine]] attendants, including the goat [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amalthea_(mythology) Amalthea] ("Nourishing Goddess"), who fed him with her milk. The suckling future king of the gods had unusual [[abilities]] and [[strength]], and in playing with his nursemaid accidentally broke off one of her horns, which then had the divine power to provide unending nourishment, as the foster mother had to the god. |
| − | In another [[myth]], the cornucopia was created when [ | + | In another [[myth]], the cornucopia was created when [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heracles Heracles] (Roman Hercules) wrestled with the river god [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Achelous Achelous] and wrenched off one of his horns; river gods were sometimes depicted as horned. This version is represented in the Achelous and Hercules [[mural]] painting by the American Regionalist artist [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Hart_Benton_(painter) Thomas Hart Benton]. |
| − | The cornucopia became the [[attribute]] of several [ | + | The cornucopia became the [[attribute]] of several [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Greek_mythological_figures Greek] and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Roman_deities Roman deities], particularly those associated with the [[harvest]], prosperity, or spiritual [[abundance]], such as personifications of Earth ([https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaia_(mythology) Gaia] or Terra); the child [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plutus Plutus], god of riches and son of the grain goddess [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demeter Demeter]; the nymph Maia; and [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fortuna Fortuna], the goddess of [[luck]], who had the power to grant prosperity. In [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_cult_(ancient_Rome) Roman Imperial cult], abstract Roman deities who fostered peace (pax Romana) and prosperity were also depicted with a cornucopia, including Abundantia, "Abundance" personified, and Annona, goddess of the grain supply to the city of Rome. Pluto, the classical ruler of the underworld in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mystery_religions mystery religions], was a giver of agricultural, mineral and spiritual [[wealth]], and in art often holds a cornucopia to distinguish him from the gloomier [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hades Hades], who holds a [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drinking_horn drinking horn] instead.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornucopia] |
[[Category: Mythology]] | [[Category: Mythology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:45, 12 December 2020
Origin
Late Latin, from Latin cornu copiae horn of plenty
Definitions
- 1: a curved goat's horn overflowing with fruit and ears of grain that is used as a decorative motif emblematic of abundance
- 2: an inexhaustible store : abundance
- 3: a receptacle shaped like a horn or cone
Description
The cornucopia (from Latin cornu copiae) or horn of plenty is a symbol of abundance and nourishment, commonly a large horn-shaped container overflowing with produce, flowers, nuts, other edibles, or wealth in some form. Originating in classical antiquity, it has continued as a symbol in Western art, and in North America is particularly associated with the Thanksgiving holiday.
Classical mythology offers multiple explanations of the origin of the cornucopia. One of the best-known involves the birth and nurturance of the infant Zeus, who had to be hidden from his devouring father Cronus. In a cave on Mount Ida on the island of Crete, baby Zeus was cared for and protected by a number of divine attendants, including the goat Amalthea ("Nourishing Goddess"), who fed him with her milk. The suckling future king of the gods had unusual abilities and strength, and in playing with his nursemaid accidentally broke off one of her horns, which then had the divine power to provide unending nourishment, as the foster mother had to the god.
In another myth, the cornucopia was created when Heracles (Roman Hercules) wrestled with the river god Achelous and wrenched off one of his horns; river gods were sometimes depicted as horned. This version is represented in the Achelous and Hercules mural painting by the American Regionalist artist Thomas Hart Benton.
The cornucopia became the attribute of several Greek and Roman deities, particularly those associated with the harvest, prosperity, or spiritual abundance, such as personifications of Earth (Gaia or Terra); the child Plutus, god of riches and son of the grain goddess Demeter; the nymph Maia; and Fortuna, the goddess of luck, who had the power to grant prosperity. In Roman Imperial cult, abstract Roman deities who fostered peace (pax Romana) and prosperity were also depicted with a cornucopia, including Abundantia, "Abundance" personified, and Annona, goddess of the grain supply to the city of Rome. Pluto, the classical ruler of the underworld in the mystery religions, was a giver of agricultural, mineral and spiritual wealth, and in art often holds a cornucopia to distinguish him from the gloomier Hades, who holds a drinking horn instead.[1]
