Who Invented the Devil Horns in Rock and Metal?

The "devil horns" hand gesture—index and pinky fingers extended, with the thumb sometimes tucked in—has become a universal symbol of rock 'n' roll rebellion and heavy metal power. But its origins are far older and more complex than many fans realize. While Ronnie James Dio helped define its use in metal, the true story goes much deeper.

Ronnie James Dio: The Man Who Made It Iconic
When Ronnie James Dio joined Black Sabbath in 1980, replacing Ozzy Osbourne, he knew he needed a new signature move. Ozzy had already popularized the peace sign, so Dio adopted something more in line with his darker, mystical persona.

Dio began using the devil horns gesture on stage, which he said he learned from his Italian grandmother. In Italian folklore, the "mano cornuta" was used to ward off the malocchio, or evil eye—a curse believed to be brought on by envious stares. To Dio, the gesture wasn’t satanic; it was protective.

"I didn’t invent it," Dio stated in 2001. "But I did popularize it. It’s an old sign to ward off evil."

Geezer Butler: The Sabbath Connection


Dio credited Geezer Butler, bassist and lyricist for Black Sabbath, with introducing him to the gesture in the context of the band. Butler, fascinated by the occult and mysticism, was already familiar with the symbol.

A photo from 1969 shows Butler flashing the devil horns—a full decade before Dio joined Sabbath. That suggests that the gesture was already floating around the band’s orbit, even if it hadn’t been codified as a metal signifier.

John Lennon: A Curious Cameo in 1968

Interestingly, John Lennon was photographed using a similar hand sign during a 1968 photo shoot for Yellow Submarine. While Lennon may not have meant it in the same way as metal artists later would, the gesture had clearly entered popular visual language. Whether it was ironic, spiritual, or just playful remains open to interpretation.

Gene Simmons and the Trademark Fiasco

In 2017, Gene Simmons of KISS filed to trademark the devil horns, claiming he had invented the gesture in 1974 during the band’s early shows. Simmons’ version of the horns included the extended thumb, resembling more of the "I love you" sign in American Sign Language (ASL), rather than the tighter "metal" version.

The rock community roundly mocked the attempt, and Simmons eventually abandoned the application. Critics pointed out that not only was Simmons late to the game, but he also didn’t even use the exact same gesture.

Coven: The Forgotten Pioneers

Dig a little deeper, and the first real documented use of the devil horns in a rock context seems to come from Coven, an American occult rock band that predated Black Sabbath. On their 1969 album Witchcraft Destroys Minds & Reaps Souls, lead singer Jinx Dawson is seen giving the devil horns on the inner gatefold artwork.

Dawson has stated in multiple interviews that she and Coven were using the gesture as early as 1967, incorporating it into their stage shows. Unlike Dio’s use for protection, Coven employed the gesture to amplify their occult aesthetic—complete with black masses and Satanic imagery long before it became common in metal.

"I was doing it from the beginning with Coven—1967 onward," Dawson told Metal Hammer. "It was part of our ceremonies on stage."

Global and Ancient Roots

Historically, the "mano cornuta" dates back centuries. In ancient Rome, it was used as a symbol of protection against evil. In Hinduism and Buddhism, similar hand mudras are associated with spiritual energy. In Mediterranean cultures, the gesture is still used today to protect against bad luck or curses.

However, these uses are spiritual or cultural, not musical. What makes the metal version of the horns unique is its transition from folklore to rock mythology.

Beyond Metal: The Gesture’s Legacy
By the late 1980s and early ’90s, devil horns had become synonymous with heavy metal culture. Fans throw the sign at concerts, and bands use it as a visual shorthand for all things heavy, rebellious, and dark. Artists like James Hetfield of Metallica and Rob Halford of Judas Priest embraced the gesture, cementing its place in rock iconography.

Today, it transcends genre boundaries. Pop stars like Lady Gaga and even politicians have been spotted throwing the horns—sometimes sincerely, sometimes as a cultural wink.

Final Verdict
First in Rock/Metal? Probably Coven in 1967

Popularized by? Definitely Ronnie James Dio in the 1980s

Occult/folkloric roots? Ancient and global

Trademarked by Gene Simmons? Not a chance

The devil horns are now a timeless symbol of defiance, darkness, and unity within the metal world—and its story is as layered and mythic as the genre itself.

Case closed... with horns raised.

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Tags:  devil horns, dio, coven, gene simmons, metal horns

Jason Fisher    May 02, 2025