1955 is the Beginning of Big Bertha and the Hook ’em Horns sign. Harley Clark (far right in photo) says he was inspired by a sign the Italians used that looked like a stylized longhorn with two protruding fingers representing the horns.

What the Hand Hook’em Horn Gesture means in Italy

In Italy, the Hook ’em Horns hand sign has a very different meaning from what it represents in Texas — and it’s important enough that Italians instantly recognize it.

In Italy, the hand gesture is about luck, superstition, and protection, not sports. At Texas, the gesture is a positive symbol of Longhorn spirit, and a celebration of Bevo.

In Italy the sign is known as le corna (“the horns”). It is not a sports symbol. It is a superstitious gesture used to ward off bad luck or the evil eye — the malocchio. When the fingers point downward, it’s a protective gesture, like knocking on wood in the U.S. When the fingers point upward and are directed at someone, it can be insulting, implying that the person is being cuckolded or is unlucky.

Italian folk tradition treats the horns as an apotropaic symbol — something that deflects misfortune. People might subtly flash it when hearing bad news, passing a funeral, feeling someone’s envy, and wanting to avoid bad luck.

Link below is Harley’s story about the Hook’em sign.

https://www.tiktok.com/@thetexasbucketlist/video/7577610476956208398?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc