In Italy specifically, the gesture is known as the corna ("horns"). It is also used traditionally to counter or ward off the " evil eye" ( malocchio in Italian). Īn apotropaic usage of the sign can be seen in Italy and in other Mediterranean cultures where, when confronted with unfortunate events, or simply when these events are mentioned, the sign of the horns may be given to ward off further bad luck. It is also found on the Song dynasty statue of Laozi, the founder of Taoism, on Mount Qingyuan, China. It is commonly found on depictions of Gautama Buddha. In Buddhism, the Karana Mudrā is seen as an apotropaic gesture to expel demons, remove negative energy, and ward off evil. In Indian classical dance forms, it symbolizes the lion. Photo courtesy McCombs School of Business.In Hatha Yoga, a similar hand gesture – with the tips of middle and ring finger touching the thumb – is known as Apāna Mudrā, a gesture believed to rejuvenate the body.
#Hook em horns full#
The dean was mad, but the deed was done, as Texas Exes historian Jim Nicar says in his full account of the sign’s creation. The next day the stadium was full of Hook ’em Horns signs.Īlthough UT lost that game 47-20, the University came away with a symbol it would cherish for decades to come. “And do you know what that sign means in Sicily?!” Nowotny thundered.
Had it been approved by the University administration? No, it indeed had not! He confronted Clark right after the rally, demanding to know how he could declare a sign official. So Clark went ahead and introduced it to the crowd, pronouncing it “the official hand sign of The University of Texas, to be used whenever and wherever Longhorns gather.”ĭean of Students Arno Nowotny was livid. He and his classmate Henry Pitts had been talking about how the hand sign with the index and little fingers sticking out looked a little bit like a Longhorn. A Campus Chest student “preacher” urged students to “Git the Spirit,” and the Texas Cowboys passed around empty chicken buckets as collection plates for the fundraising drive.Īfter all that, Clark decided to try something new. The planners decided to make it similar to an old-time revival, with the Longhorn spirit what was being revived. UT head cheerleader Harley Clark was game. Since it was also the week of Campus Chest, an annual charity fundraising drive, the program chair suggested that its traditional variety show be combined with the Friday night pep rally.
Loyal Longhorns rallied nightly on campus, lit red candles all over the city, and plotted other ways to keep the faith in the week before the game. And with A&M out for recruiting violations, the University could still make the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day if it could just beat nationally ranked TCU. The team had a disappointing 4-4 record.īut UT was 3-3 against its Southwestern Conference rivals. This now-legendary hand gesture debuted in 1955, when the Longhorns were having a football season not so unlike this one. The Hook ’em Horns sign turns 55 years old today, and there’s a funny story behind its creation.
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