An iconic symbol of love and fortune, the red horn 'cornicello' brings Naples tradition to the world

NAPLES, Italy (AP) — Food, music and culture have made the Italian southern city of Naples famous around the globe. But there’s another Neapolitan tradition that fascinates locals and visitors alike: the cornicello, an iconic symbol of prosperity, love and fortune that has become a popular present among lovers on Valentine's Day.

The Neapolitan cornicello, a small horn-shaped amulet, represents good luck and protection against the evil eye, and is associated with fertility and strength, while its red, intense color is considered a powerful antidote against negative energies.

As with any self-respecting superstition, the power of the Neapolitan horn, to be effective, must meticulously follow some rules. The most important one is that it must be a gift, and that is why, over the years, it has become a popular present that lovers exchange on Valentine’s Day, often decorated with little hearts.

Its ancient origins date back to Greek and Roman mythology, as it reproduces the phallic shape and red color in a reference to Priapus, the god of male fertility.

Neapolitan artisans meticulously handcraft cornicelli in red coral, terracotta and even gold or silver. But a key element of the tradition is that cornicello must be porous, enabling it to absorb all the negative energies, protecting friends and loved ones.

“The authentic cornicello has to be handmade in Naples,” says Delia D’Alessandro, 30, founder of Cosmos, a tiny workshop producing the lucky charms in the heart of San Gregorio Armeno – Naples’ narrow lane known for its “pastori,” or nativity-scene figurines.

D’Alessandro and her sister Serena carry on the craft learned from their parents — Vicenzo and Rosaria — and now run the family business in the city’s historical center.

“It’s a beautiful way to continue the family tradition and contribute to the city we love,” Serena said, as she paints terracotta horns crafted by a team of young artisans.

Deeply entrenched in Naples’ cultural roots, the red horn becomes a powerful symbol in the creations of Neapolitan sculptor and painter Lello Esposito.

Esposito, 67, started his long international career from the popular streets of Naples as a young artist, selling his handmade puppets of Pulcinella, the famous character of Neapolitan commedia dell’arte.

“This is the original horn that has inspired the ones in the bottegas around the city,” he said, gesturing toward a giant red-horn sculpture that dominates his atelier at Scuderie Sansevero, a majestic palace in Naples' historic center.

“It’s red because that’s the color of passion,” said Esposito, who has focused his research on the relation between contemporary art and popular tradition.

“If we think about Pompeii, we think of Pompeiian phalluses. These penises were displayed in the little shops around the city. So, the horn is an ancient symbol going back over 2,000 years,” he adds.

Esposito’s creations, inspired by Naples’ iconic symbols, have traveled the world, with one of his giant horns exhibited recently at the Bangkok Art Biennale.

Italian sculptor Lello Esposito is interviewed by The Associated Press in his art gallery in Naples, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Giada Zampano)

A giant Neapolitan horn, similar to the one he made for the 2024 Bangkok Biennale, is shown inside Italian sculptor Lello Esposito's art gallery in Naples, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Giada Zampano)

Marianna Mattei puts a final touch on Neapolitan horns in a shop in Naples, southern Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Giada Zampano)

Marianna Mattei puts a final touch on Neapolitan horns in a shop in Naples, southern Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Giada Zampano)

Delia D'Alessandro explains the origins and use of the Neapolitan horn in the family's shop in Naples, southern Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Trisha Thomas)

Serena D'Alessandro puts a final touch on Neapolitan horns in the family's shop in Naples, southern Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Trisha Thomas)

Delia D'Alessandro explains the origins and use of the Neapolitan horn in the family's shop in Naples, southern Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Giada Zampano)

Neapolitan auspicious red horns are on sale in downtown Naples, southern Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Trisha Thomas)

Some auspicious Neapolitan horns are displayed inside Italian sculptor Lello Esposito's art gallery in Naples, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025. (AP Photo/Giada Zampano)

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Luka Doncic will miss the rest of the Los Angeles Lakers' regular season with a Grade 2 strain of his left hamstring, the team announced Friday.

Doncic is the NBA's top scorer and the driving force behind the Lakers' surge into the third spot in the Western Conference standings, but he injured his leg during Los Angeles' blowout loss in Oklahoma City on Thursday. An MRI exam revealed the severity of the strain.

The Pacific Division champion Lakers (50-27) have just five games left before the postseason, starting Sunday at Dallas.

Grade 2 hamstring strains sometimes require several weeks of recovery, but Doncic also has prior experience with hamstring issues. He missed four games right before the All-Star break with another left hamstring strain, but returned to the lineup after the break.

Doncic is putting up spectacular numbers in his first full season with the Lakers, who acquired the Slovenian superstar from the Mavericks last season. He is averaging 33.5 points, 8.3 assists and 7.7 rebounds per game for Los Angeles, and he was named the NBA's Western Conference player of the month for March after racking up 13 consecutive 30-point performances, including seven 40-point games, a 51-point barrage against Chicago and a 60-point masterclass in Miami.

Doncic scored a whopping 600 points in March, becoming only the 10th player in NBA history to hit that mark in one month. While LeBron James and Austin Reaves have also played well down the stretch, the Lakers thoroughly depend on Doncic, who either scored or assisted on 58% of the their total points in March.

Doncic is all but certain to win his second NBA scoring title — but he has played in only 64 games this season, which means he will finish one game shy of the 65-game threshold to be eligible for the NBA's biggest postseason awards.

He was a lock to be an All-NBA selection, and he had even been making a late run at consideration for the MVP award with his outstanding play down the stretch.

Along with his two absences caused by hamstring injuries and a handful of additional absences for minor medical maintenance early in the season, Doncic missed two games last December while flying to Slovenia for the birth of his second child. He also missed one game last week under suspension for accumulating 16 technical fouls.

Since he sits just shy of the 65-game threshold, Doncic theoretically could challenge the rule by citing the extraordinary circumstances of his daughter's birth in Europe through the grievance process created for these collectively bargained rules. It's wholly unclear whether that appeal would have any chance of success.

If Doncic wins the scoring title but doesn't make the All-NBA teams, he would be only the third scoring champ in league history to fail to do so. Elvin Hayes wasn't selected when he won the crown as a rookie in 1969, and Bob McAdoo wasn't chosen for the teams in 1976.

Lakers coach JJ Redick said Doncic was injured in the first half against the Thunder, but was cleared to return to the game while his team was getting plastered by the defending NBA champion Thunder. Doncic lasted only about four minutes before he spun, stopped and went down on the court in pain, leading to his departure.

The loss was only the Lakers' third in 19 games since Feb. 26, but Doncic's absence casts a cloud of uncertainty over the rest of their year. Los Angeles only leads fourth-place Denver (49-28) by one game, while sixth-place Minnesota (46-30) is 3 1/2 games back with a game in hand.

The Lakers’ regular-season finale is next Sunday, April 12, at home against Utah. Their first-round playoff series is expected to start the following weekend.

AP Basketball Writer Tim Reynolds contributed to this report.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

Los Angeles Lakers forward/guard Luka Dončić (77) drives against Oklahoma City Thunder guard Cason Wallace (22) during the first half of an NBA basketball game Thursday, April. 2, 2026, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Gerald Leong)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) gestures after a three-point basket against the Indiana Pacers during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Los Angeles Lakers guard Luka Doncic (77) is fouled by Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) as Magic forward Tristan da Silva, right, helps defend during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Saturday, March 21, 2026, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)