The Corna: The History

The corna is a gesture with a vulgar meaning in Mediterranean countries and a variety of meanings and uses in other cultures.



Meaning

In contemporary Italy the stretched fingers, are placed behind someones head, or explicitly pointed at a person the conveyed meaning is that this person is being cheated on by his wife or her husband. The gesture is also common in Spain, Portugal and Brazil, Albania, Slovakia and Czech Republic, and Greece and has the same meaning.



Superstition

When confronted with unfortunate events a person wanting to avoid that fate could resort to the corna to ward off bad luck. It is a more vulgar equivalent of knocking on wood. Interestingly, superstitious ones can alternatively "touch iron", which is not considered as vulgar. These gestures are meant to somehow conjure some supernatural power to protect the performer of the gesture. Such gestures are typically used when a black cat crosses one's path, when seeing a hearse, or when encountering any situation, object or person believed to bring about bad luck. It was once thought to prevent or distract the effects of the Evil Eye, that is of intentional or directed curses. Historically the gesture was pointed at people suspected of being witches. The gestures could also refer to the "Devil's" 666 number, as the three fingers form the shape of three 6 digits.



Popular Use

President of the Italian Republic Giovanni Leone shocked the country when, visiting Naples during an outbreak of cholera, shook the hands of the patients with one hand, and with the other, behind the back, made the corna. This act was well documented, as all journalists and photographers were right behind him, a fact that had escaped President Leone's mind in that moment. The gesture was interpreted especially as offensive for the patients.

Other Uses
The gesture is often used by supporters of sports teams, without evoking vulgar or Satanic associations. The University of Texas, is one such team, where it is known as Hook 'em Horns, an approximation of the shape of the horns of a Texas longhorn steer. Additionally, Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana , utilizes the Fork 'em Demons, as well as the University of South Florida and the New Mexico Lobos.

In baseball, the gesture, especially when the forearm is rotated, indicates "two outs." In the common signal for "two" the fingers were too close together for distant outfielders to distinguish the two fingers from one. Elston Howard is commonly credited with originating this use.

Conspiracy theorists claim a similar sign is used for Freemasonry, the Illuminati, or Satan worship, by extending the thumb outward. This is also the primary sign for the Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13 street gang found throughout Central America and the U.S.

In Turkey the sign is popular as a nationalist symbol for the Turkish people. It signifies wolf's ears, because of many legends that state wolves were guardians of ancient Turkish tribes near Western China.

Reference: Wikipedia