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In Italy, especially in the south, these "cornetti" (little horns) are not uncommon. Often considered amulets even by sceptics ("it's not true, but I believe it is" is something you will hear often), they perch into the worldwide traditions of horns being related to spirituality. Think of the cornucopia, for instance.
In Italy, where catholicism paradoxically gets mixed with local pagan beliefs, horns tackle on the the idea of the horned devil and reverse the message: by keeping a horn with you, or by making the gesture of horns (closed fist with extended index and pinky fingers), you keep bad luck away.
Interestingly enough, by making the gesture of horns behind someone's head, such as when taking a picture, implies that such is being cheated on by his partner. Most kids however do that because they think it's fun, without really understanding the underlying message.
The gesture of horns is also very popular among fellow metalheads, who were first exposed to it by – oh, the irony! – Dio (Ronnie James, RIP), who learned it from his grandmother. She used that as a weapon against the malocchio, or evil eye, which according to southern Italian tradition is one kind of evil spell. What's funny about it is that the gesture became known as "la mano cornuto", which is incorrect in Italian. "Mano", even though it ends in -o, is a feminine word; the correct form would therefore be "la mano cornuta".
And if you really can't get enough of this topic, let me share some more trivia with you: in Italy, the croissant is called "cornetto". Not as poetic, but still just as good. Now if you excuse me, I am going to get one.
A very meaningful piece: my mano cornuto (horned hand) & cornicelli (little horn) necklace| #necklace #gold #shuttersisters @shuttersisters #manocornuto #hornedhand #cornicelli #littlehorn #protection #evileye #familyties
It seems the Somerville Public Library's decorated bull skull carvings are called bucrania, which is an ancient Roman tradition, or an even older neolithic fertility totem.
I'd always just assumed that the architect had a Texas fetish. It's heartening to learn that it goes a lot deeper than that. Moreover, such things can be found all over town, if you keep an eye out.
That is all, move along, citizens.