Gobbo

Once upon a time, the image of a hunchback represented abundance because the hump on the back was interpreted as a bag so packed and full that it forced the person carrying it to hunch over. That bag of gifts is not dissimilar to the big bag Santa Claus is still depicted carrying.

Gobbo literally means “hunchback” in Italian. (The Italian title of Victor Hugo’s classic is Il Gobbo di Notre Dame.) Gobbo is also the name given to an ancient Italian spirit of abundance, fertility, and the life-force. Although Gobbo is now considered his name, it may originally have been a title or euphemism.

The most ancient manifestations of Gobbo somewhat resemble the Egyptian spirit Bes: he is a small virile man whose presence stimulates prosperity and plenty. He transitioned to Christianity, although his famous virility was toned down. Gobbo appears as an ornamental motif among Gothic churches, in the same manner, if less frequently, as the Green Man. The identity of the treasure Gobbo brings was reinterpreted: in Verona, Italy’s thirteenth-century Gothic Church of Saint Anastasia, Gobbo bears the holy-water font.

A very long time ago, in some societies, human beings with hunchbacks were considered sacred. Centuries later, however, those with hunchbacks would become persecuted or marginalized, the only lingering vestige of their previously higher status other peoples’ annoying desire to rub their backs for good luck. The hump was perceived as bringing luck to others, not necessarily to the person carrying it.

Gobbo’s mischievous trickster nature and powerful libido refused to be stifled: he was eventually identified with imps and minor devils. Gobbo degenerated into a good-luck charm, which is where you’re most likely to find him now. Gobbo decorates automobile rearview mirrors and key chains. The legend says that if you rub his hump, he’ll bring you luck and good fortune, but Gobbo can do more. He breaks the power of the Evil Eye, banishes malevolent forces, and provides fertility, too.

ORIGIN:

Italy

ICONOGRAPHY:

The modern image of Gobbo usually depicts him as a dapper little man in a dress suit and a black top hat, but variations exist. Sometimes he’s a man from the waist up; a vivid red horn from the waist down. That hybrid image officially combines two amulets: Gobbo and the phallic cornuto (horn), but it actually discreetly returns Gobbo’s own phallus, once prominently displayed à la Priapus.

ATTRIBUTES:

Horseshoe; red horn; crowned horn; red pepper; umbrella; various Italian amulets like the Mano Cornuto (horned hand)

OFFERINGS:

Go ahead and keep Gobbo in your car or pocket, but place another image on an altar and see if he doesn’t do more for you. Feed him espresso; food with peppers; phallic-shaped bread; and lots and lots of Italian liquor (wine, grappa, limoncello).

SEE ALSO:

• Bes
• Kokopelli

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.