in Italiano / Italian translated by Isabella McNamara-Catalano
This object has been translated into 12 different languages by 16 different users
Questo è l’Occhio di Horus, talvolta conosciuto come l’occhio di wedjat, utilizzato come un popolare simbolo di protezione nell’antico Egitto. Il dio Horus è rappresentato come un falco. Nella mitologia dell’antico Egitto, Horus ha avuto il suo occhio sottratto durante una lotta con il suo rivale Seth, che aveva ucciso il padre di Horus, Osiride. L’occhio è stato successivamente ripristinato dal dio Thoth, e divenne wedjat, che significa intero o sano.
È diventato un simbolo protettivo popolare, particolarmente per i defunti, ed è stato ampiamente utilizzato per circa 3000 anni, dall’Antico Regno fino all’era romana. È stato anche utilizzato in culture vicine, come quelle canaanite, siriane e nubiane. Hai qualcosa che conservi come portafortuna o per protezione?
Do you have something you’d like to say, in your own language or English, about the object or translation? We’d like to hear what you think.
Translations are community-sourced and for anyone to participate in, however you use your language. For more information, see Community Guidelines.
23 Sep, 2023
Italians, especially in southern Italy, are well known for their attachment to superstition. Therefore, it is not surprising that good-luck charms are particularly popular. Arguably, the most popular amulet is the “cornicello” or “cornetto” (meaning “little horn”). The amulet is believed to protect against “malocchio” (“evil eye”), and it is commonly found in the Italian regions of Campania, Lazio, Puglia, and Basilicata.
The cornetto is in the shape of a horn, and it can be made from metal, but it is most commonly red in colour. This makes them look very similar to chilli pepper, but it is meant to represent an eland horn. The cornetto finds its origin in Greek and Roman mythology as it is linked to another common symbol: the cornucopia. The cornucopia, also known as the “horn of plenty” is a symbol of abundance and it is commonly illustrated as a large horn-shaped container overflowing with fruits and flowers. Similarly, the cornetto is also associated with abundance and fertility and remains one of the most common Italian symbols of protection. If you ever go to Naples, you can be certain to see at least one cornetto be worn as jewellery, hung from the rearview mirrors of a car, or kept in a house for decor and good luck.