Cornicello: The Little Horn

Modeled on the shape of an animal horn, the cornicello — or cornetto or corno or cornuto — is a symbol of virility and masculine vigor. The cornicello can be hung as an amulet in the home or worn for personal protection as jewelry. It is traditionally made of red coral, but there are plenty of so-called “Italian Horns” available in gold, silver, bronze, plastic and many other materials. A gold crown on top signifies wealth.

While the cornicello is a single horn, it is related to the double-horned mano cornuto, and both are powerful protective amulets against the evil eye (malocchio). These symbols are often worn or displayed together. A hybrid charm consisting of the top half of a hunchback and the bottom half of a horn is called a corno gobbo.

The corno can also consist of the actual horns of an animal such as a goat or bull, or even a crab claw. In Sicily, sometimes a pair of bull’s horns — painted red — hang over the front door to ward off evil so that visitors must pass under a the horns to remove any evil they were trying to smuggle in. (See Italian American Folklore by Frances M Malpezzi and William M. Clements)

Because of its characteristic red color and shape, some mistake the cornicello for a chili pepper. The forms are similar enough that some varieties of chili peppers have horn-inspired names, like the “Corno di Toro” (bull’s horn).

AND… it turns out that chili peppers are good luck charms too. In the American Southwest, ornaments made of dried chili peppers (ristras) are iconic decorative motifs that are said to attract good luck and good health. The chili pepper ALSO has an auspicious meaning in the Chinese practice of feng shui, where hanging a red chili pepper tassel is said to bring good fortune and increase income.