Cornucopia ~ Word of the Day
cornucopia: noun cor·nu·co·pia cornucopian: adjective 1: a curved, hollow goat's horn or similarly shaped receptacle (such as a horn-shaped basket) that is overflowing especially with fruit and vegetables (such as gourds, ears of corn, apples, and grapes) and that is used as a decorative motif emblematic of abundance called also horn of plenty 2: an inexhaustible store : abundance "We marveled at the cornucopia of fruits, meats, toys, fresh fish, baskets, utensils and leather goods for sale in stalls that lined the streets for as far as we could see." - Guy Garcia "For contemporary performers, soul represents a cornucopia of musical ideas." - Jon Pareles 3: a receptacle shaped like a horn or cone Mythology When Zeus was born, he had to be hidden and protected from his father, Kronus. Zeus was hidden on the island of Crete in a cave, and he was cared for by a number of goddesses. When Zeus was playing with one of his nursemaid’s horns, he accidentally broke it off. But, this proved to be a very fortunate accident, as the horn then provided unending nourishment. Another origin myth involves Hercules wrestling the river god Achelous. During the fight, Achelous shapeshifted into a bull in an attempt to win. But, Hercules was still able to defeat Achelous and he tore off one of his horns in the process. After tearing off the horn, the water nymphs took it, consecrated it, and filled it with fragrant flowers. Then, the Goddess of Plenty adorned the horn and named it cornucopia. The cornucopia is also a symbol that’s associated with many Greek and Roman deities. Particularly, it’s associated with those who represent spiritual abundance, prosperity, and harvest. Sources: CORNUCOPIA Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster What Is a Cornucopia and Where Did It Come From? | Estilo Tendances