We will never agree on everything......that would be boring anyways......but can we get one thing straight? I am pretty confident about this one. ;) The horns Its earliest use can be seen in India, as a gesture very commonly used by Gautama Buddha as Karana Mudra which is synonymous with expulsion of demons and removal of obstacles like sickness or negative thoughts. The same usage can be seen in Italy and Mediterranean culture as well where, when confronted with unfortunate events, or simply when these events are mentioned, the sign of the horns may be given to ward off bad luck. It is also used traditionally to counter or ward off the evil eye (malocchio). With fingers down, it is a common apotropaic gesture, by which superstitious people seek protection in unlucky situations (It is a more Mediterranean equivalent of knocking on wood). Thus, for example, the President of the Italian Republic, Giovanni Leone, shocked the country when, while in Naples during an outbreak of cholera, he shook the hands of patients with one hand while with the other behind his back he made the corna. This act was well documented by the journalists and photographers who were right behind him, a fact that had escaped President Leones mind in that moment. In Italy, one can also touch iron (tocca ferro) or touch ones nose. Males in Italy and some other countries may grab their testicles when confronted by bad luck; however, this is considered more vulgar. In Peru one says contra (against). In the Dominican Republic the expression is zafa, said against curses known as fukú. All of these gestures are meant to conjure supernatural protection. youtube/watch?v=Z_1u4lQV7oo
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 03:25:51 +0000
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