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The legend of Cornucopia

The Cornucopia (Latin: Cornu Copiae) is a symbol of food and abundance dating back to the 5th Century BCE. It is also referred to as the Horn of Plenty, In Greek mythology, Amalthea raised Zeus on the milk of a goat. In return Zeus gave Amalthea 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.

In modern depiction the Cornucopia has come to be associated with the promise of bountiful lands. It has been extensively adopted as a symbol to promote agricultural expansion in countries like Australia and the United States where it is commonly associated with Thanksgiving.

Resource links:

• early depictions of the 'horn of plenty'
• personifications of cornucopia
• modern deciptions of cornucopia

searching for Cornucopia

Our logo offers a new interpretation of this ancient legend – one that recognises the urgent need for a new ethos of sustainability for the 21st century. We believe that it is time for a fundamental reorientation of our thinking and practices if we are to adopt sustainable thinking and practices at an individual and community level. The new sustainabilty ethos embodied in our logo recognises the uniqueness of our Australian biodiversity and the inextricable link between our society’s well being and that of our fragile ecosystems. The Cornucopia Living Heritage Centre promotes this new ethos and the need for the protection and enhancement of our indigenous flora and fauna to be at the centre of sustainable approaches to natural resource management.