The cornucopia is a traditional symbol of happiness, good luck and material well-being. Like many other symbols, it came from ancient mythology. There are at least 2 versions of the origin of the cornucopia.
The ancient Greeks were of the opinion that the cornucopia was created by the great Zeus himself. According to the myth, the future lord of the gods spent his childhood in a cave on the island of Crete, where his mother Rhea hid him from his father, the formidable titan Kronos. The fact is that Kronos was predicted that one of the children would deprive him of his power, and he swallowed the babies immediately after their birth.
The sacred goat Amalthea, whose name translates as "the giver of wealth", became the nurse of Zeus. In gratitude and memory of her, Zeus made one of her horns a symbol of wealth. Since then, it has become an inexhaustible stream of happiness, wealth and prosperity. At the same time, it is believed that the horn is able to endow a person with not only material, but also spiritual benefits.
In ancient Rome, coins with the image of a cornucopia were minted, so the plot of the ancient Greek myth found its material embodiment. The Romans believed that the goddess of luck, Fortune, endowed people with wealth and prosperity, flowing from the horn. No wonder she was often depicted with a cornucopia in her hands.
According to another version, the greatest Greek hero Hercules, in the heat of a battle with the river god Aheloy, broke off one of his horns. However, after the battle, the magnanimous victor returned his trophy to Achelous. In gratitude, the deity presented Hercules with a cornucopia, which was the very horn of Amalfea. In another version of the myth, Hercules presented the horn of Acheloy to the nymphs, who filled it with apples and other gifts of nature.
Sometimes the cornucopia was depicted in the right hand of the goddess of justice Themis. Also, its origin was associated with the kingdom of the dead. It was believed that he belongs to Plutos - the god of untold underground riches. Plutos could also be identified with the ruler of the underworld, Hades.
In the hands of Fortune, the cornucopia could symbolize not only material wealth, but also love, family happiness and the joy of motherhood. In addition, he was considered a symbol of femininity and associated with the birth of numerous offspring.
In medieval legends, the cornucopia turned into the Holy Grail. It was believed that the one who drank from the Grail will receive forgiveness of all sins, immortality and other numerous benefits. Some versions said that even contemplating the cup could bring temporary invulnerability, or at least provide the knight with food and wine. In the works of Renaissance art, small winged cupids were often depicted scattering food from the cornucopia.
