Cornucopia was first introduced into the English language
in 1508. Cornucopia is also known as “the horn of plenty” and it is the emblem of the Stewards. According to
myth, when the young Zeus (Jupiter) was playing with Amalthea, the goat
who had suckled him in a cave on the island of Crete, and gave him
everything else he needed to survive, he accidentally broke off one of her
horns. To make amends, Zeus promised that from that day forward, the horn
would always be filled with whatever fruit she desired. As such, the
Cornucopia came to symbolize the unasked profusion of gifts from the gods.
It has been used as an emblem of many deities, including Copia (Roman
goddess of wealth and plenty who carries a cornucopia), Justitia (Roman
goddess of justice), Spes (Roman goddess of hope), Honos (Roman deity of
morality and military honor), and many others.
The myth of the horn
returns in the story of Hercules, who fights the river-god Achelous, who,
having the power to change himself into anything, took the form of a bull.
Achelous was the son of the ocean, and the god of the biggest river.
Hercules breaks off one of the bull’s horns, but after generously returning it, receives
from Achelous the horn of plenty - the cornucopia. In Masonry, the
cornucopia symbolizes peace, plenty and joy.
