Recently, I broke my favorite necklace while taking off a shirt. It’s a yellow-gold Italian horn amulet with a matching gold chain that my mother bought me at a local jeweler for my eighteenth birthday. The chain had snapped, yet, I wasn’t all too concerned. I had heard once or twice, amongst my Italian family members, that when a protective amulet (such as an Italian horn) breaks on you, it signifies that it has successfully protected you from a negative event. Or, more specifically, the “malocchio.” Also known as the evil eye, the idea is an ancient superstition that has traversed generations, leaving an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of many countries, including Italy.
The origins of the malocchio are shrouded in the mists of time, reaching back to ancient civilizations that believed in the potent influence of the human gaze. As these beliefs permeated through various cultures, they took on unique characteristics in different regions. In Egypt, the concept of the evil eye took the form of a symbol known as the Eye of Horus that promoted well-being and offered protection from malevolence. In Greece, the evil eye legend manifested within bracelets, amulets, and charms graced with an “evil eye” design, known as “mati.” These items all represented a symbol of protection that would ward off evil spirits. When the concept spread to Italy, it grew and evolved into a sort of folklore that wasn’t too unsimilar from other cultures. The curse of the malocchio emerged within the culture as a powerful force fueled by envy, jealousy, or negative intentions. It is often thought to be cast unintentionally as a gaze or stare by individuals harboring ill feelings towards others. The momentary envy or resentment can manifest in a look that, according to folklore, carries the potential to inflict real, physical harm.
To counteract the perceived malevolence of the evil eye, Italians have developed an array of symbols and charms aimed at offering protection. One of the most recognizable (which happens to be the one that I recently broke), is the "corno," also referred to as the “cornicello,” or more commonly in America, the “Italian horn.” Appearing as a twisted horn-shaped amulet found at the end of necklaces, bracelets, and rear-view mirrors, the horn is believed to have the power to deflect negative energy and safeguard against the malevolent intentions of others. The lore surrounding the malocchio and the various methods of battling against it are very telling of Italian values and social culture. The concept of a stare or gaze that can cast negativity drawn from the power of one’s own jealousy is exemplary of the common Italian value of keeping things to oneself and maintaining an individual resentment, rather than working things out or letting go of negative emotions. This moral permeates throughout Italian culture across the globe. Italian’s belief in protective symbols and charms serves to represent the culture’s focus on spirituality and superstition, as to where some individuals fear going anywhere without them. In a world shaped by modernity, the ancient superstition of the evil eye continues to influence the lives of people across the globe, connecting them through a rich tapestry of stories and practices passed down through generations.
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Art by Willow Troise