cornucopias

The cornucopia, or horn of plenty, is a symbol of abundance in Western art and culture. It is typically depicted as a curved horn or horn-shaped vessel overflowing with fruits, vegetables, grains, and flowers. The name derives from Latin cornu copia, meaning horn of abundance.

Origins lie in classical myth and art. In Greek tradition, Amalthea the goat that nursed the infant Zeus is associated with a horn that could provide an inexhaustible supply of nourishment; in some versions the horn was broken off and became the cornucopia. The motif spread through Greek and Roman imagery and later appeared in various forms of art, literature, and heraldry, often linked to deities of plenty such as Demeter or Fortuna.

Symbolic use extends beyond myth. The cornucopia has long served as a generic emblem of prosperity, abundance, and the bounty of the earth. It appears in sculpture, coins, and architectural ornament, and has been adapted in modern times for logos, decorative arts, and civic or institutional emblems.

Modern usage is especially prominent in harvest and Thanksgiving celebrations in North America, where it is a common decorative motif for centerpieces, wreaths, and seasonal displays. It remains a versatile symbol in design, used to convey abundance in educational materials, marketing, and public art.

Forms vary. The cornucopia may be an actual animal horn, a stylized horn, or a manufactured container made of metal, ceramic, or wicker, often shown brimming with an assortment of produce and, in some depictions, flowers or grains.