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The cornucopia, also known in English as the "Horn of Plenty", is a
symbol of prosperity and affluence, dating back to the 5th century
BC.
In Greek mythology, Amalthea brought Zeus up on the milk of a goat. In return
Zeus gave her the goat's horn. It had the power to give to the person in possession of it whatever he or she wished for. This
gave rise to the legend of the cornucopia. The original depictions were of the goat's horn filled with fruits and flowers:
deities, especially Fortuna, would be depicted with the horn of
plenty. More modern images, such as those used in Thanksgiving murals,
depict a horn-shaped wicker basket filled with fruits and vegetables.
The cornucopia is also a favourite design for corn dolly making.
The sampo of Finnish
mythology is also a source of plenty.
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